Calendar and Speakers - Annual Convention - 2024
PANAMA TESOL CONVENTION 2024
"Innovations in Language Teaching - A Bridge to Empowerment"
Virtual sessions | First session 5:15 pm to 6:15 pm | Sponsor / Break 6:15 -6:35 6:35-6:45 | Second session 6:45 pm to 7:45 pm | Break 7:45 – 8:00 | Third session 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm |
Monday Sept 23 | Learning a language; not losing an identity Keynote Presentation by Zarina Suban | QLU | 1-Roleplaying with AI: A Game-Based Approach to Language Learning by Doris Molero 2-From Story Retelling to Puppet Shows by Juan Rios Vega 3-Collaborative strategies to promote Social Emotional Learning in ELT classrooms by Isabel Cubilla 4-Gen AI: Practical Approaches by Grazzia Mendoza 5-Empowering Learners through Innovative Bilingual Education Practices by Robs Mesquita ; | break | 1–Games around class by Nadia Baca Carranza 2-Does It Matter If My Students Don’t Share My Culture? by Pearlie Lubin 3-Enhanced assessment literacy leads to high quality of classroom assessments by Fernando Fleurquin 4-A writing Picnic: A new writing experience! by Juan Aizprua |
Tuesday Sept 24 | Unlocking the Power of Multimodal Texts: Enhancing Reading Comprehension for English Learners Keynote Presentation by Aleksandra Popovski Golubovikj IATEFL President | BRIDGE EDUCATION GROUP | 1- Bringing Life into In-Person Activities Online on Zoom by Jessie Yu, Mei Lai Nghiem 2-Applying Universal Design for Learning Principles to ESP Course Design by Vanessa Virgiel 3-Teacherpreneurship: Offering unique online teaching opportunities for global English teachers by Anna Hearrell BRIDGE EDUCATION 4-Say that again? Learning English pronunciation using the Color Vowel®Chart! by Mary B Harmon | break | 1-Exploring Educational Paradigms: Innovating ELT by Gonzalo Diaz 2-Fun, Memorable Lessons through Student Engagement by Gustavo Gonzalez 3-SOS: Supercharging our classrooms with Tech by Marcela Danowski 4- Developing topic-based lessons using authentic materials and AI tools by Graciela Martin 5-AI: Empowering Teachers, Engaging Students by Olenka Villavicencio |
Wed Sept 25 | Cultivating Cultural Awareness in ELT: Overcoming Challenges Keynote presentation by JUNUEN MONDRAGÓN NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC | NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC | 1-Using Chatpgt as a virtual teaching assistant to enhance EFL Instruction. by Eva Ramos 2-The Cultural Forces that Shape Our Classrooms by Marcela Villan 3–Increasing English proficiency by using an extensive reading program by Marisela Gualdron 4-Cyberpals: A technology-mediated exchange project in primary school by Romina Estalles 5-Supporting Emotionally-Balanced Classrooms through SEL and Storytelling by Lorena Ojeda | break | 1-English Medium Instruction in Multilingual Context: Exploring Teachers’ Ideology and Practices byMani Ram Sharma 2-Enlivening Literature: Best Practices in ELT Education by Gonzalo Diaz 3- Activate your classes, and make them more engaging and fun by Gabriela Rodriguez 4-The emotional Journey of Female Novice Researchers by Araceli Salas 5- Yes Let`s Quilt Poetry ! by Jean Rodriguez Pazo |
Thursday Sept 26 | Transforming Classrooms with Artificial Intelligence Keynote presentation by Justin Shewell President -Elect TESOL International | US EMBASSY | 1-Empowering Teachers with Strategies to Tackle their Students’ Pronunciation Challenges by Maya Leon-Meis 2-Unlocking Students’ Potential: Focusing on Learning Skills by Junuen Mondragon – NatGeo 3– Exercises based on Rhyme Activities to Foster the Students’ Learning in English Lessonsby Liane Vasquez 4-Empowering EFL Students: Speaking and Writing about Social Justice by Graciela Martin | break | 1-Engaging our Communities in Translanguaging Practices by Denise Furlong 2-Embracing Communicative Language Teaching: Fostering Fluency, Accuracy, and Authentic Communication in the Language Classroom by Ingrid Alina Urgiles 3-Mastering Lessons Through the Art of Slow Looking by Marcela Danowski 4-Motivating Students to Achieve Their Learning Objectives by Luis Arjona |
Friday, Sept 27 | Asynchronous Homework Assignments | ||||
Saturday 28, 2o24 | In Person event in Santiago Veraguas | 8 am to 6 pm | Hotel Gran David | ||
Saturday 28, 2o24 | SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 Schedule Proposal: 8:00 am – 8:30 am: Registration (Lobby) 8:30 am – 8:45 am: Opening remarks by the President of Panama TESOL 8:45 am -8:55 am Presentation of Candidates for the elections 9:00 am – 10:00 am: Opening Plenary Session: «The Space Between: Supporting Learners Through Change» by KEYNOTE SPEAKERS : Mary Scholl and Ivan Suazo (Costa Rica ) 10:05 am – 10:35 am: • Unlocking the Gateway to Fluency: The Crucial Role of Grammar in EFL Teaching by Josceline Michell Pereira Loor (Ecuador) 10:40 am – 11:10 am: • Using Podcasts in Action: Benefit, Challenge, and Approach by Kilda Palacios (Panama ) 11:10 am- 11:30 am Break / book exhibit – 11:30 am – 12:00 pm: • Rethinking Assessment in Higher Education: Towards a Holistic Approach for Student Success by Carla Isabel Lozano (Ecuador) 12:05 pm – 12:35 pm: • Importance of Multilingualism: Spanish-Speakers Learning English and Beyond by Nathaniel Sandoval (USA) 12:35 pm – 1:15 pm: Voting 1:15 pm – 3:00 pm: Expo Hall / Lunch 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm: • AI goes mobile by Eva Ramos (Panama) 3:35 pm – 4:05 pm: • Shifting Mindsets for Educational Success by Jesús Gutiérrez (Venezuela) 4:10 pm – 5:10 pm: Closing Session: «Future-Ready: Empowering Our Growth Through Personal Learning Networks» by KEYNOTE SPEAKERS : Mary Scholl and Ivan Suazo (Costa Rica) 5:15 pm – 5:30 pm: New Board of Directors / Closing remarks / Announcements / • Presentation of Panama TESOL coordinators Chapters: Cocle, Chiriqui, Veraguas 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm: Certificates / Prizes | ||||
Partners
1. US Embasssy – RELO Office https://pa.usembassy.gov/relo/
2. Quality Leadership University https://qlu.ac.pa/maestrias-en-panama/maestria-en-linguistica-aplicada-con-enfasis-en-tesol/
3. Universidad de Panama
Keynote Speakers
Virtual Event – September 23 to 26, 2024
- Zarina Suban (Teacher Trainer), UK
- Aleksandra Popovski Golubovikj (IATEFL), North Macedonia
- Justin Shewell (TESOL International), USA
In-person Event – September 28, 2024
- Ivan Suazo (Centro Espiral Mana), Costa Rica
- Mikaela Tennis (Britannica Education), Mexico
- Mary Scholl (The Institute of Collaborative Learning), Costa Rica
Monday, September 23, 2024
First session 5:15 pm to 6:15 pm
Learning a language; not losing an identity
Zarina Subhan
Session Type: Talk
Focus: all audience
Second session 6:45 pm to 7:45 pm
Roleplaying with AI: A Game-Based Approach to Language Learning
Doris Molero
Session Type: Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: Higher education, College-level high school, Middle school, Elementary
From Story Retelling to Puppet Show
Juan Rios Vega
Audience Focus: High-school – higher education
Session Type: Workshop, demonstration
Collaborative strategies to promote Social Emotional Learning in ELT classrooms
Isabel Cubilla
This presentation will demonstrate the effective utilization of collaborative strategies to promote Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in ELT classrooms. It will comprehensively overview the key components and offer practical strategies for teachers to implement SEL practices in their unique teaching situations.
Session Type: Talk / lecture
Audience Focus: Middle school, Elementary, PK
Gen AI: Practical Approaches
Grazzia Mendoza
Session type: Demonstration
Audience : All audiences
Third session 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Games Around class
Nadia Baca Carranza
Nadia has a master and degree at Santa National University . Nadia has 20 years of experience of different levels. I participate in many different international events and I am speaker too. She is enthusiastic, dynamic, and energetic. She worked in SENATI, INNOVA, SAN JOSE, NAZARENO , in CEIDUNS since 2011, and Pedagógico in Nuevo Chimbote .
Session Type: Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: Higher education
Does It Matter If My Students Don't Share My Culture?
Pearlie Lubin
Audience Focus Higher education
Session Type Talk Lecture
Enhanced assessment literacy leads to high-quality of classroom assessments
Fernando Fleurquin
Audience Focus elementary / higher education
Session Type workshop /demonstration
A writing Picnic: A new writing experience!
Juan Aizprua
Writing is one of the most difficult skills to learn while learning a new language. Teaching to write to language learners is quite difficult as well. After reading an article in the Forum magazine titled » Writing Picnic», I decided to put this strategy into practice and I was surprised of the positive reaction I got from my students. It changed their vision that learning can also occur outside of the classroom. My proposal aims to share this experience with other colleges and keep promoting the teaching of writing.
Session Type: Forum including Q&As
Audience Focus: College-level high-school
Tuesday September 24,2024
First session 5:15 pm to 6:15 pm
Unlocking the Power of Multimodal Texts: Enhancing Reading Comprehension for English Learners
Aleksandra Popovski
Multimodal texts, which combine different modes of communication such as visual and auditory are increasingly popular in today’s digital age. For English learners, these texts can be a powerful tool for enhancing reading comprehension skills. In this talk, we will explore the concept of multimodality, its benefits for language learners and more specifically how it can improve reading comprehension. With practical examples and real-life scenarios, this talk aims to inspire teachers and learners to experiment with multimodal texts and unlock their full potential for language learning.
Second session 6:45 pm to 7:45 pm
Bringing Life into In-Person Activities Online on Zoom
Jessie Yu, Mei Lai Nghiem
In person, you are amazing at engaging your students with interactive, dynamic activities. What if you can replicate this experience online without using outside resources? We show you activities to use on Zoom where you can still teach English in a fun, engaging way. This is also for people who are not tech-savvy as we will adapt the activities.
Session Type: Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: Higher education, College-level high-school, Middle school
Applying Universal Design for Learning Principles to ESP Course Design
Vanessa Virgiel
This session explores how educators of English for Specific Purposes can be support the inclusion of students with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) such as ADHD, dyslexia, and autism, by applying the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), an educational framework that purposefully supports the variable needs of all learners.
Vanessa Virgiel is an English Language Specialist at Binus University in Indonesia, and the current chair of TESOL International’s Supporting Students with Disabilities Interest Section. Her professional interests include inclusive education, digital technologies to support rural learners, and English for Specific Purposes.
Session Type: Talk / lecture
Audience Focus: Higher education
Teacherpreneurship: Offering unique online teaching opportunities for global English teachers
Anna Hearrell BRIDGE EDUCATION
Anna Hearrell is Bridge’s Director of Teacher Training Products. She has developed innovative online programs designed to meet the needs of English language teachers around the world, including a Micro-credential course dedicated to Teaching English as a Global Language. As a teacher training provider, Bridge seeks to empower the global English language teaching community with accessible professional development options, teacher recognition, and advocacy.
Audience Focus: All
Session Type: Talk
Say that again? Learning English pronunciation using the Color Vowel®Chart!
Mary B Harmon
Session Type: Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: Higher education, College-level high-school, Middle school
Third Session 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Exploring Educational Paradigms: Innovating ELT
Gonzalo Diaz
Session Type: Talk / lecture, Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: Higher education, College-level high-school, Middle school, Elementary
Fun, Memorable Lessons through Student Engagement
Gustavo Gonzalez
Session Type: Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: Middle school, Elementary
SOS: Supercharging our classrooms with Tech
Marcela Danowski
Session Type: Talk / lecture, Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: College-level high-school, Middle school, Elementary
AI: Empowering Teachers, Engaging Students
Olenka Villavicencio
Audience Elementary, Secondary and Higher Education educator,Adult Educators,Teacher trainers,Student teachers
Session Type. Workshop
Wednesday, September 25,2024
First session 5:15 pm to 6:15 pm
Cultivating Cultural Awareness in ELT: Overcoming Challenges
Junuen Mondragon
Explore the challenges of teaching in a multicultural classroom, as students have variable characteristics that make them unique, even if they are from the same country or speak the same language. It is crucial for ELT teachers to address the singular cultural backgrounds, language proficiency levels, and biases that students bring from their personal experiences. By understanding these challenges and implementing effective strategies, teachers can create inclusive learning environments where all students feel valued and empowered. The session will talk about the importance of culturally responsive teaching, intercultural communication skills, establishing inclusive classroom norms, collaborative learning, and continuous professional development. Adapt some techniques in your daily teaching to overcome these challenges, fostering inclusive teaching practices.
Audience focus: All
Session type: Talk
Second session 6:45 pm to 7:45 pm
Using Chatpgt as a virtual teaching assistant to enhance EFL Instruction.
Eva Ramos
Session Type: Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: Higher education, College-level high-school, Middle
The Cultural Forces that shape our classrooms
Marcela Villan
Session Type: Talk / lecture
Audience Focus: Higher education, College-level high-school, Middle school, Elementary, PK
Increasing English proficiency by using an extensive reading program
Marisela Gualdron
Marisela Gualdrón, owns a degree in teaching English. In 2017, sheI finished an intensive English course at the Panamanian institute American English Overseas Center. Since 2021, She has been participating in virtual trainings given by different American institutes and universities such as TEFLorg, HarvardX, AdelaideX, CornellX, and the University of Cambridge. At the same tim, she has taken advantage of a scholarship provided by UDELAS, participated in the 2023 TESOL conference, this summer sheI was given one more scholarship to attend the TESOL summer encounter. In 2023, She started working on the development of an extensive reading program at Colegio Richard Neumann, which is still under her responsibility and supervision. Currently, she is a private English and Science tutor serving children from kindergarten to 4th grade at Oxford International School.
Session Type: Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: Higher education, College-level high-school, Middle school
Cyberpals: A technology mediated exchange project in primary school
Romina Estalles
«Cyberpals Argentina-Ireland» is a tecnology mediated project in progression in a estate-run primary school in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Through this project, 9 and 10 year-old children from a very vulnerable community in Buenos Aires are getting in contact with peers in Ireland, using English to investigate, communicate and build a bond with peers in a country they have never visited.
Session Type: Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: Middle school, Elementary
Supporting Emotionally-Balanced Classrooms through SEL and Storytelling
Lorena Ojeda
In this session, educators will explore the concept of Social Emotional Learning, focusing on self-awareness and self-regulation. These concepts will be incorporated into SEL activities, allowing educators to practice mindfulness and focus on the present moment. The neuroscience concepts will also introduce educators to ways to calm mind chatter and reduce stress. Finally, a SEL story will be presented to support teachers in finding emotional connections through mirror neurons. Teachers are expected to develop emotionally-friendly strategies to positively impact their students’ self-awareness, self-regulation, and academic achievement.
Lorena Ojeda graduated from National University of Tucuman. She holds two Bachelors, one in English Teaching and another in English with a major in Literature and Linguistics. She also holds a TESOL certificate. She worked as an ESL teacher implementing immersion programs at schools in the USA for 8 years, and she has also taught English in Argentina. She is the Curriculum Support Manager at Voces Digital, a US-based editorial.
Session Type: Talk / lecture, Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: Higher education, Middle school, Elementary
Third session 8:00 -9:00 pm
English Medium Instruction in Multilingual Context: Exploring Teachers’ Ideology and Practices
Mani Ram Sharma
Session Type: Talk / lecture
Audience Focus: College-level high-school
Enlivening Literature: Best Practices in ELT Education
Gonzalo Diaz
Session Type: Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: College-level high-school, Middle school, Elementary
Activate your classes, make them more engaging and fun
Gabriela Rodriguez
Session Type: Talk / lecture
Audience Focus: Higher education, College-level high-school, Middle school, Elementary
The emotional Journey of Female Novice Researchers
Araceli Salas
The demands of doing research seem to be more pressing for female novice researchers in postgraduate programs. This session will present the findings of a qualitative narrative inquiry that explored the emotional landscape of a group of Mexican female teachers who were entering the field of research in a PhD program and can be related to several countries around the world.
Araceli Salas has a PhD in Language Science and an M.A. in ELT. Dr. Salas is a professor/researcher at BUAP, México and the current coordinator of the MA program in ELT in this institution. She has been a speaker in international events and webinars and published several academic articles and chapters in the field. Dr. Salas serves as a Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the MEXTESOL Journal. Dr. Salas is also a member of the TESOL Board of Directors 2024-2027. Her research interests include teacher-education, Discourse Analysis and Leadership in ELT.
Audience Focus All
Session Type : Talk
Yes Let`s Quilt Poetry !
Dra. Jean Rodriguez Pazo
Audience Focus: All
Type of session : workshop
Thursday, September 26, 2024
First session 5:15 pm to 6:15 pm
Transforming Classrooms with Artificial Intelligence
Justin Shewell
Audience Focus All
Type session:
Second session 6:45 pm to 7:45 pm
Empowering Teachers with Strategies to Tackle their Students' Pronunciation Challenges
Maya Leon-Meis
This dynamic presentation addresses the long-neglected field of pronunciation pedagogy in English teacher training, aiming to empower instructors with the necessary knowledge of the reasons behind certain pronunciation challenges. It focuses on overcoming difficulties faced by Spanish-speaking learners, offering practical strategies, techniques, and tools to enhance pronunciation teaching skills, thereby transforming teachers’ confidence and effectiveness in pronunciation instruction.
Known as the «Pronunciation Doctor,» created the «Kiss Your Accent Goodbye» program and founded The English Pronunciation Institute in Denver, Colorado. BA in ESL Teaching and MA in Applied Linguistics, from the University of Colorado. 30 years of experience teaching English pronunciation at USA universities and speaking at international conferences.
Session Type: Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus:
Unlocking Students’ Potential: Focusing on Learning Skills
Junuen Mondragon - NatGeo
Audience Focus: All
Session Type: Talk
Exercises based on Rhyme Activities to Foster the Students' Learning in English Lessons
Liane Vasquez
Rhymes are activities that students enjoy in the English lessons. They motivate students and due to the rhythmical pattern it follows it helps students, whose mother language is not English, to learn better the pronunciation, rhythm, accent of the words andbto express ideas more fluently. The authoress composed four rhymes based on the content that is taught in the curriculum of fourth grade in Cuba and activities to work with them.
Session Type: Forum including Q&As
Audience Focus: Elementary
Empowering EFL Students: Speaking and Writing about Social Justice
Graciela Martin
Session Type: Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: Higher education, College-level high-school, Middle school
Third session 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Engaging our Communities in Translanguaging Practices
Denise Furlong
Session Type: Talk / lecture
Audience Focus: College-level high school, Middle school, Elementary
Embracing Communicative Language Teaching: Fostering Fluency, Accuracy, and Authentic Communication in the Language Classroom
Ingrid Alina Urgiles
Session Type: Talk / lecture
Audience Focus: Higher education, College-level high-school
Mastering Lessons Through the Art of Slow Looking
Marcela Danowski
Join us on an educational adventure of innovative pedagogy as we explore the significant influence that slow looking has on teaching and learning. Through hands-on experiences and cooperative exercises, attendees will engage in unlocking the complete potential of slow viewing methods within education. Let’s unite in valuing even minor details to form a network of life-changing
Session Type: Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: Middle school, Elementary, PK
Motivating Students to Achieve Their Learning Objectives
José Luis Arjona
Session Type: Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: College-level high school, Middle school, Elementary
Saturday, September 28, 2024
The Space Between: Supporting Learners Through Change
Mary Scholl and Ivan Suazo
Iván Suazo is the Assistant Director and a facilitator at the Institute for Collaborative Learning (I4CL). He believes in the role of empathy and communication to co-create an inclusive learning environment. He studied Law at the Universidad Centroamericana in Nicaragua and received the Fulbright scholarship to do a Masters of Teaching at the School for International Training in the USA. Iván is a licensed trainer of World Learning’s TESOL Certificate Course and a Master Practitioner from the Centre for Holding Space. Iván is a past President of the TESOL-Nicaragua organization.
Unlocking the Gateway to Fluency: The Crucial Rol of Grammar in EFL Teaching
Josceline Michell Pereira Loor (Ecuador)
Session Type: Workshop / Demonstration
Audience Focus: Higher education, College-level high-school, Middle school, Elementary
Using Podcasts in Action: Benefit, Challenge and Approach
Kilda Palacios
Adapting podcasts to ESL classrooms demands extensive planning, flexibility, and reflection. There is no doubt that podcasts, as an authentic listening source, offer infinite benefits. The challenge ESL educators might encounter relies upon the variety of options and content that can result in an overwhelming task when selecting ‘the right one’ according to the learner’s needs and motivation. This talk explores the benefits, challenges, and course of action in adapting podcasts to an ESL classroom.
I am Kilda Palacios, a professional interested in language teaching and learning, with 8+ years of experience as an EFL teacher in Panama. I have experience teaching in all levels of education and contexts (rural and urban areas), including a role as a teacher trainer in the CELT-P/S program. In recent years, my professional development has focused on technology, communication, and leadership applied to language teaching and learning. Obtaining a master’s in applied Linguistics and another in virtual learning environments have consolidated my purpose of improving my teaching practice to motivate and support my students. As a language learner, I have studied four languages: French, Korean, German, and Japanese. The process of teaching and then learning other languages has helped me to reflect on the dynamics and complexity of communication from different language perspectives.
Session Type: Talk / lecture
Audience Focus: Higher education, College-level high-school
Rethinking Assessment in Higher Education: Towards a Holistic Approach for Student Success
Carla Isabel Lozano (Ecuador
This article examines the evolving landscape of assessment in higher education, advocating for a holistic approach that goes beyond traditional testing methods. By exploring innovative assessment practices and their impact on student learning outcomes, it offers insights into how educators can cultivate a culture of assessment that promotes student success and academic excellence.
As a university professor, I have dedicated my career to advancing the fields of assessment and pedagogical trends in higher education. With a passion for innovative teaching methodologies and a commitment to student success, I have cultivated a diverse range of experiences both inside and outside the classroom. Overall, my career as a university professor has been driven by a commitment to excellence in teaching and a passion for advancing the field of higher education. By fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and lifelong learning, I strive to inspire the next generation of educators to make a meaningful impact in the lives of their students and communities.
Session Type: Talk / lecture
Audience Focus: Higher education, College-level high-school
Importance of Multilingualism: Spanish-Speakers Learning English and Beyond
Nathaniel Sandoval
Nathaniel Sandoval is a Fulbright grantee participating in the English Teaching Assistantship at the technical institution known as ITSE. I’m from Providence, Rhode Island with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and minor in Business from the University of Rhode Island. My background is in international affairs, business development, and education.
Session Type: Talk / lecture
Audience Focus: Higher education, College-level high-school
A.I. goes mobile
Eva Ramos
This presentation introduces some AI-powered mobile apps designed for language teachers. Participants will explore tools for creating interactive lessons, automating assessments, enhancing student engagement, and personalizing learning experiences—all at the reach of your fingertips. Discover how these apps streamline classroom management and support effective language instruction.
Audience focus: all
Session type: workshop
Shifting Mindsets for Educational Success
Jesus Gutierrez
This lecture underscores the crucial role of shifting mindsets in educational leadership to adapt to the rapidly changing world. Education is a business and KPI’s are useful to determine our teachers and schools’ performance. However, overemphasis on static KPIs has negatively impacted student retention, satisfaction, enrollment, and attendance. This lecture will explore the benefits of adopting a mindset shift that reduces stress and enhances meaningful outcomes. By embracing it, schools can foster an environment that improves student engagement and satisfaction, enhances teacher effectiveness, and promotes overall school performance.
Jesus Gutierrez is an independent language coach with 22 years of experience, He helps adult professionals communicate effectively in English. Having collaborated with leading construction firms and major companies in Panama and beyond, Jesus specializes in language teaching and professional development for teachers. He has delivered presentations at TESOL Panama and other international academic events.
Session Type: Talk / lecture
Audience Focus: Higher education, College-level high-school, Middle school, Elementary
Closing plenary : Future-Ready: Empowering Our Growth Through Personal Learning Networks
Mary Scholl and Ivan Suazo
Iván Suazo is the Assistant Director and a facilitator at the Institute for Collaborative Learning (I4CL). He believes in the role of empathy and communication to co-create an inclusive learning environment. He studied Law at the Universidad Centroamericana in Nicaragua and received the Fulbright scholarship to do a Masters of Teaching at the School for International Training in the USA. Iván is a licensed trainer of World Learning’s TESOL Certificate Course and a Master Practitioner from the Centre for Holding Space. Iván is a past President of the TESOL-Nicaragua organization.
Audience Focus: All
Session Type Talk
