MA TESL graduates find job success

With ELI’s involvement, the School of Education’s MA TESL program continues to grow and produce new graduates. But are those graduates finding success in their search for employment? The answer is yes. The need for ESL teachers is growing and UD graduates are helping to meet that need.

Of eight spring 2005 graduates, all of those with teaching certificates have received jobs in public schools. Two secured positions at university and college intensive English programs. Another graduate is studying for a Ph.D., and one pursued her dream to teach in another country.

Kristen Shrewsbury graduated in May 2005, completed a teaching practicum in Saõ Paulo, Brazil, and is currently teaching at ELI. Liz Robinson, another May ‘05 graduate, teaches three levels of ESL at Dickinson High School in the Red Clay School District in Wilmington, DE. Erin Wilson is working as an adjunct instructor at Delaware Technical and Community College.

Heidi Fagerberg, who also graduated this past May, did her student teaching partly in Costa Rica. Fagerberg was offered teaching positions both at Lewis Elementary School in Delaware and at Country Day School in Costa Rica.

After his graduation in 2004, Jack Chen, former SALC coordinator at ELI, won a position at Shady Grove Middle School in Gaithersburg, MD. Chen enjoys incorporating computers, video and Powerpoint presentations into his lessons.

“It’s a true joy to see a student who has been struggling finally ‘get it’ and become encouraged by her success,” said Chen.

The MA TESL program currently has 28 students working toward their graduate degrees and planning for careers in the ESL field. Since ELI director Scott Stevens began coordinating the master’s degree program in the fall of 2002, 12 students have completed the program.