Director of Academic Programs

Amy graduated from the University of Alabama with a Masters in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). She received her undergraduate degree from Samford University in Spanish Language and Literature. Amy has had experience teaching in Indonesia and China and studied in Spain. She also worked as an instructor of ESL at Gadsden State Community College before beginning her work with UAB. Amy feels like she learns as much from her students as they learn from her. She enjoys watching the cross-cultural dynamic of the ESL classroom and serving as a facilitator in the learning process.

Program Manager II/Academic Advisor

Monica has a Master’s degree in Adult ESL Education from UAB, a Master’s degree in Social Anthropology from Northeastern University in Boston, and a Bachelor’s of Art in Communications from the University of Massachusetts, with a year of linguistics and film studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. She enjoys working at the LRC because it allows her to help international students adjust to life in the U.S. and learn about their cultures and languages. Monica has taught in Japan, Boston, and Virginia, and has taught and advised students at UAB for more than 20 years.

Learning Resource Center Manager/Instructor

Before moving to Birmingham in 2021, Kate was director of the Writing Center at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois, where she graduated with a BA in English. She has an MA in writing and publishing from Emerson College. Kate has a TEFL certificate and has taught ESL for ten years.

Bryan graduated from UAB with a Master's in Adult ESL Education. He received an undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama in American Studies, with a concentration in Telecommunications and Film. His professional experience includes working with ESL teachers in the Shelby County school system, work as an Instructor at Aeon Language Schools in Japan, and teaching a variety of courses for the ELP. Bryan tries to make learning fun, and his classes often feature games and other active ways to practice English. He is a "people person" and enjoys getting to know each of his students individually.

Anna has a Master’s in Education in ESL from UAB. Her undergraduate degree is in English from Bob Jones University. Anna taught English for a year in Tver, Russia, at Vista English School. She has coordinated many children's camps throughout Russia for the organization Russian Summer Camps. Most recently, she taught a summer camp in China in Summer 2015. Anna loves the classroom dynamic as students engage each other and interact using English. It's wonderful to see students grow in confidence and ability! She also enjoys experiencing other cultures by getting to know her students.

Natalie received her Master's of Arts degree in TESOL and Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College in Chicago, Illinois. She also has an undergraduate degree in graphic design and information technology from the University of South Alabama. She has taught English at universities in Thailand, Kazakhstan, multiple cities in China, most recently at Tianjin Peiyang University for 5 years. She has also presented at various regional ESL Conventions. She enjoys thinking of creative ways to teach, creating games, activities and visual aids to help students learn, and getting to know students from around the world. She also likes exploring how technology can best utilized in the classroom.