Spring 2022 Facilitator Bios
NEW Open SESSION!
Any proficiency
Friday
Kadria & Paula at 5:30 pm - Meets in the Global Crossroads Atrium of HJ Patterson Hall (in front of ISSS Office)
Kadria Sadr
Hello! My name is Kadria! I've lived in the U.S. my whole life, but my parents are from Iran and El Salvador. I'm a second year, currently in Letters and Sciences, but I'm planning on becoming a Nursing major! I was interested in ECP to meet new people and learn about new cultures through relaxed and fun discussions!
Paula Szigethi
I am a sophomore Public Health Science student at UMD. I am part of the Global Communities program at UMD and part of its Student Association where most of our curriculum is geared towards globalization, global issues, and culture learning. I moved from Spain to the US when I was 12, so I myself went through an ESOL program. I also spend most of my free time dancing for two Asian music/choreography content-focused clubs on campus.
Kadria & Paula at 5:30 pm - Meets in the Global Crossroads Atrium of HJ Patterson Hall (in front of ISSS Office)
Kadria Sadr
Hello! My name is Kadria! I've lived in the U.S. my whole life, but my parents are from Iran and El Salvador. I'm a second year, currently in Letters and Sciences, but I'm planning on becoming a Nursing major! I was interested in ECP to meet new people and learn about new cultures through relaxed and fun discussions!
Paula Szigethi
I am a sophomore Public Health Science student at UMD. I am part of the Global Communities program at UMD and part of its Student Association where most of our curriculum is geared towards globalization, global issues, and culture learning. I moved from Spain to the US when I was 12, so I myself went through an ESOL program. I also spend most of my free time dancing for two Asian music/choreography content-focused clubs on campus.
Beginner Proficiency
Small Group
Tuesday
Sharon Sorto at 4:00 pm
University of Connecticut Alumni (Class of 2021). I grew up in Maryland, love the area and am happy to be home for my future studies! Current UMD Post-Baccalaureate student. In my free time I love to cook, bake and spend time with my family.
Wednesday
Lindberg Hardy at 4:00 pm
L.Hardy retired /Amtrak 31years as a mentor and trainer for new employees in various departments.I have been a JCA.International mentor/ volunteer / 6years, ESL Facilitator/ Catholic Charities Wash.DC/7years.
UMD Leadership Training, UMDGC ,Catholic University, UDC, further studies and training programs. My hobbies and interests are gardening, travel, volunteering , spending time with my wife, 3 daughters, 2grandchildren, all are educators in the DC/Md/Va. Areas. I am looking forward to meeting with you in person on campus and sharing our cultural, learning new language skills.
Thursday
Judy Rosenthal at 2:30 pm
I am currently retired, spent 20+ years working as a Speech Language Therapist in an early intervention program with families from all different cultures, in the Montgomery County Public School system. I taught parent education classes to families with children with language delays, on strategies to use to help their children develop language. Before that I worked with deaf college students at Gallaudet University. I've volunteered with English conversation groups for people wanting to improve their English conversational skills. I like to read, bike, garden, and do pottery. I like feeding the birds and I have a dog and a cat. I am involved in a some climate related and gardening organizations in Takoma Park.
Friday
Divya Mathur at 2:00 pm
I am a freshman in the Global Communities program at UMD. I'm majoring in Psychology and planning to minor in Neuroscience. I enjoy playing guitar and hanging out with my friends. I'm excited to meet new people from diverse backgrounds and grow our language skills together!
Intermediate Proficiency
Small Group
Monday
Byron Silvera at 6:00 pm
Byron is originally from Jamaica but he is a Native English Speaker. He was a former employee at the University of Maryland in the Chemistry Department. He has also been involved with International students and scholars at UMD for several years!
Byron Silvera at 6:00 pm
Byron is originally from Jamaica but he is a Native English Speaker. He was a former employee at the University of Maryland in the Chemistry Department. He has also been involved with International students and scholars at UMD for several years!
Large Group
Monday
Gianca Bonilla(they/them) at 3:00 pm
Hello! My name is Gianca (pronounced like john-ka) and I am a Linguistics student. I can fluently speak English and Spanish, intermediate French and I am learning Mandarin. I am super interested in languages and communicating with multicultural individuals. I'm also a big Pokemon fan, like to draw and love foreign language music.
Tuesday
Jonathan Tumin at 2:00 pm
I have been an ECP volunteer for 3 years, since retiring from the federal government after 35 years. I have a PhD in political science and worked for the US GAO (the investigative arm of the US Congress) as an analyst of defense, homeland security and justice programs. I greatly enjoy interacting with U-MD students, both undergraduates and graduate level. I welcome discussions of any subject that interests you ranging from politics to cinema to travel to food.
Michael Schechtman at 5:00 pm
I am a retired science and environmental policy advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, focusing on agricultural biotechnology. Prior to that, many years ago, I was on the faculty of the Department of Biology at Syracuse University. I graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Biochemical Sciences, got my Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Cornell University, and did postdoctoral work at Stanford University. I love to cook, travel, and read, and am learning to brew beer.
Thursday
Dana Andre at 3:30 pm
I am a mom of 4 adult children, one dog, one cat and one husband:-) We have lived in Maryland for 19 years but I have lived in 7 other states. Nearly 20+ years ago I began teaching conversational English classes for International Students. I love meeting new people, skiing, rock climbing, hiking and spending time with my family.
Ebrahim Seyedebrahimi at 5:30 pm
Hi Everyone! My name is Ebrahim, and I'm an international graduate student in the master of community planning program. I am also working with the national center for smart growth, focusing on active and shared mobility planning, trying to create more accessible and livable spaces for urban dwellers. I've started learning English when I was a kid, and I've always been learning ever since. I believe being present in an environment with the primary language of English is the best opportunity to learn about and practice the English language for those who either need or want to, so I am glad to share such an opportunity with you all. More important to me when participating in this class is the chance to meet new people in these crazy times, communicate interculturally, and make friends. So, let's have a lot of fun, and practice a little English!
Friday
Hannah Darrow at 11:00 am
Hi! I'm Hannah, and I'm a sophomore computer science major and French studies minor. I've lived in Maryland my whole life, but I love to travel and learn about other cultures and languages. In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to music, sewing/crocheting, and singing.
Isha Jain at 2:30 pm
Hello Everyone! My name is Isha Jain. I am a current Masters student at UMD studying Information Systems. I currently work with ISSS, I am a coordinator for the ECP program. I am from India and being an international student myself I know how it is to learn about a new culture and as an international student I want to provide support and create welcoming experience to fellow international terps. I also love learning about new cultures and talking to people about their stories and experiences!
Rex Butler at 5:00pm
I have enjoyed meeting and having thoughtful conversations with our students. Being happily married to a wonderful girl from Japan for 40 years may give me some insights into the heart of international visitors. Through this international relationship journey, I have come to appreciate the challenges and joys our students must experience. I try to put some perspective into our conversation topics. We have also hosted homestay students for 30 years.
Carol Nezzo at 6:00 pm
Carol Nezzo is a Community Organizer surrounding UMD. Carol has teaching experience as a Spanish Teacher. Carol also holds a Ph.d Public Administration.
Advanced Proficiency
Small Group
Thursday
Phil Aronson at 2:00pm
Phil is a UMCP grad and has lived in College Park since 1979. He retired from the U.S. Department of Justice in 2014. In addition to the English Speakers Program, which he has been a part of for five years, Phil is also a volunteer at College Park Meals on Wheels. In his free time, Phil likes to exercise and travel.
Friday
Emily Markes at 10:00 am
I currently work in ISSS as a scholar advisor and enjoy getting to know people from all over the world! I've worked and studied in a few places outside of the US (Argentina, Peru, Spain, Germany, Japan, and Antigua/West Indies) and I taught Spanish to middle and high school students for a decade (in Maryland, New York, and San Francisco). In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors (biking, swimming, tennis), visiting with family and friends, reading, and traveling.
Audrey Hong at 4:00 pm
Audrey Hong is an second generation American born Chinese and a UMD graduate. Her travels, first personal and then professional, continually broadened her interest in cross cultures and closing the gap between the cultures, as she stumbled around in Spanish, German, and Chinese. Throughout her life she enjoyed the cultural exchanges managing multinational meetings when working at the U.S. Department of Justice and volunteering with NGOs and UMD. Her interest are varied, from the theater, to dabbling in art to culinary history, to sewing, to other DIY projects!
Phil Aronson at 2:00pm
Phil is a UMCP grad and has lived in College Park since 1979. He retired from the U.S. Department of Justice in 2014. In addition to the English Speakers Program, which he has been a part of for five years, Phil is also a volunteer at College Park Meals on Wheels. In his free time, Phil likes to exercise and travel.
Friday
Emily Markes at 10:00 am
I currently work in ISSS as a scholar advisor and enjoy getting to know people from all over the world! I've worked and studied in a few places outside of the US (Argentina, Peru, Spain, Germany, Japan, and Antigua/West Indies) and I taught Spanish to middle and high school students for a decade (in Maryland, New York, and San Francisco). In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors (biking, swimming, tennis), visiting with family and friends, reading, and traveling.
Audrey Hong at 4:00 pm
Audrey Hong is an second generation American born Chinese and a UMD graduate. Her travels, first personal and then professional, continually broadened her interest in cross cultures and closing the gap between the cultures, as she stumbled around in Spanish, German, and Chinese. Throughout her life she enjoyed the cultural exchanges managing multinational meetings when working at the U.S. Department of Justice and volunteering with NGOs and UMD. Her interest are varied, from the theater, to dabbling in art to culinary history, to sewing, to other DIY projects!
Large Group
Tuesday
Ken Shiraishi at 11:00 am
Hi, my name is Ken and as a former international student and now a working professional, I know first-hand what it's like to go through things like OPT, visa sponsorship, as well as adjusting to the States and would love to share my experiences with you!
Wednesday
Michael and Tina Shuh at 3:00pm
Hi! My name is Tina and I'm from Texas and my husband, Michael is from California. We have two daughters and are currently living in College Park. We love to try new food, learn new things, and being out in nature. We are excited to get to know different people from different cultures and backgrounds!
Thursday
Paul Thompson at 10:30 am
I am a retired U.S. Government employee and University of Maryland alumnus. My wife and I live nearby in Cheverly, Maryland. I have been facilitating English Conversation Partner groups for about 10 years now, and still thoroughly enjoy it. It's such a privilege -- and so much fun -- to get to know foreign students and other members of the University community, and I continue to marvel at your skill at English!
Friday
Amy & Dan Kinder at 1:00pm
My husband and I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2011. We are currently connected with different international students at UMD. We understand how hard it is for internationals to adjust to America so we want to be a resource for anyone looking for a home away from home. I am a Human Resources Professional and my husband is a Computer Scientist. I have hosted resume workshops and job search workshops for college students. Feel free to sign up to chat about life or about anything!
Ken Shiraishi at 11:00 am
Hi, my name is Ken and as a former international student and now a working professional, I know first-hand what it's like to go through things like OPT, visa sponsorship, as well as adjusting to the States and would love to share my experiences with you!
Wednesday
Michael and Tina Shuh at 3:00pm
Hi! My name is Tina and I'm from Texas and my husband, Michael is from California. We have two daughters and are currently living in College Park. We love to try new food, learn new things, and being out in nature. We are excited to get to know different people from different cultures and backgrounds!
Thursday
Paul Thompson at 10:30 am
I am a retired U.S. Government employee and University of Maryland alumnus. My wife and I live nearby in Cheverly, Maryland. I have been facilitating English Conversation Partner groups for about 10 years now, and still thoroughly enjoy it. It's such a privilege -- and so much fun -- to get to know foreign students and other members of the University community, and I continue to marvel at your skill at English!
Friday
Amy & Dan Kinder at 1:00pm
My husband and I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2011. We are currently connected with different international students at UMD. We understand how hard it is for internationals to adjust to America so we want to be a resource for anyone looking for a home away from home. I am a Human Resources Professional and my husband is a Computer Scientist. I have hosted resume workshops and job search workshops for college students. Feel free to sign up to chat about life or about anything!
