Summer 2020 Facilitator Bios
Beginner Proficiency
Small Group Leaders
Tuesday
Rex Butler at 7:00 pm
I am a long time supporter of international students and visitors to the US. I like to know that your experience is rich in understanding and friendship.My marriage of almost 40 years is with a native from Japan. We continue to support the concept of international marriages to further international relationships.
Wednesday
Martin Pickett at 2:00 pm
Hi everyone, my name is Martin. I'm an undergraduate English Education double major with two minors in Japanese and Second Language Education. I am aiming for a MCERT Masters of Education in TESOL (Teaching to Speakers of Other Languages). I'm also considering Applied Linguistics with a focus in Second Language Acquisition for a PhD. My hobbies are card games, board games, video games, computer games etc! I love helping people learn English and enjoy creating an enjoyable environment for my ECP participants. Right now I work part-time as an elementary school tutor. I look forward to speaking with you all!
Thursday
Isabel Conforti at 10:00 am
Hi, my name is Isabel Conforti. I’m from Ellicott City, Maryland and I’m a senior studying Government and Politics and Anthropology with minors in International Development and Conflict Management and French Studies. I was a facilitator in Fall 2019 and I’m excited to be able to return! In my free time I enjoy reading, watching movies, hiking, and exploring new places. I look forward to getting to know everyone!
Rex Butler at 7:00 pm
I am a long time supporter of international students and visitors to the US. I like to know that your experience is rich in understanding and friendship.My marriage of almost 40 years is with a native from Japan. We continue to support the concept of international marriages to further international relationships.
Wednesday
Martin Pickett at 2:00 pm
Hi everyone, my name is Martin. I'm an undergraduate English Education double major with two minors in Japanese and Second Language Education. I am aiming for a MCERT Masters of Education in TESOL (Teaching to Speakers of Other Languages). I'm also considering Applied Linguistics with a focus in Second Language Acquisition for a PhD. My hobbies are card games, board games, video games, computer games etc! I love helping people learn English and enjoy creating an enjoyable environment for my ECP participants. Right now I work part-time as an elementary school tutor. I look forward to speaking with you all!
Thursday
Isabel Conforti at 10:00 am
Hi, my name is Isabel Conforti. I’m from Ellicott City, Maryland and I’m a senior studying Government and Politics and Anthropology with minors in International Development and Conflict Management and French Studies. I was a facilitator in Fall 2019 and I’m excited to be able to return! In my free time I enjoy reading, watching movies, hiking, and exploring new places. I look forward to getting to know everyone!
Intermediate Proficiency
Small Group Leaders
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Alice Liu at 11:00 am
Hello! I'm a senior studying Information Systems and Finance. I studied abroad in Vienna earlier this year before the pandemic hit, but I was an ECP facilitator in the Fall and I had a great time connecting with my small group. I'm looking forward to being a facilitator again and sharing/learning about our experiences and culture.
Thursday
Cecilia Nguyen at 4:00 pm
Hello! I'm Cecilia and I'm a graduate of UMD with a degree in biology. I am currently in medical school and recently completed my first year. During my time as an undergraduate at UMD, I volunteered with the ECP program where I have been able to connect with people from all over the world! I really enjoyed my time with this program so much that I am happy to have the opportunity to return and facilitate over this summer. My hobbies include traveling and occasionally trying new recipes!
Friday
Bonita Shelby at 11:00 am
Member of UMD Senior Volunteer Services Corps; has been a Conversation Partner for about 4 years; former CPA; has a growing health & wellness business; is an eternal student, Young at hear; loves to talk, share with and learn from others.
Tuesday
Wednesday
Alice Liu at 11:00 am
Hello! I'm a senior studying Information Systems and Finance. I studied abroad in Vienna earlier this year before the pandemic hit, but I was an ECP facilitator in the Fall and I had a great time connecting with my small group. I'm looking forward to being a facilitator again and sharing/learning about our experiences and culture.
Thursday
Cecilia Nguyen at 4:00 pm
Hello! I'm Cecilia and I'm a graduate of UMD with a degree in biology. I am currently in medical school and recently completed my first year. During my time as an undergraduate at UMD, I volunteered with the ECP program where I have been able to connect with people from all over the world! I really enjoyed my time with this program so much that I am happy to have the opportunity to return and facilitate over this summer. My hobbies include traveling and occasionally trying new recipes!
Friday
Bonita Shelby at 11:00 am
Member of UMD Senior Volunteer Services Corps; has been a Conversation Partner for about 4 years; former CPA; has a growing health & wellness business; is an eternal student, Young at hear; loves to talk, share with and learn from others.
Large Group Leaders
Monday
Caitlin Kim at 12:00 pm
Hi! I graduated from UMD in May with a degree in environmental economics. In the fall I will be going to law school. I studied abroad in Seoul last year! In my free time I enjoy working out and trying new foods. I look forward to talking with you!
Byron Silvera at 5:30 pm
I am originally from the Island of Jamaica, and a Native English speaker who has lived in and traveled to various parts of the world. I am retired from UMD (Chemistry), and I enjoy the opportunity to engage and encourage students from foreign lands. I have been with ECP for the last 7 years. My hope is that having engaged you in my group, you will be able to confidently progress in your journey on the Campus and in America.
Tuesday
John Kucera at 10:00 am
Hi! I am an undergraduate Computer Science major at University of Maryland Global Campus, about to enter my third year of school. I volunteered to facilitate for this program in Spring/Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 and found that it was a great experience to talk and learn with the participants. I am so grateful to come back for Summer 2020 to have conversations and help anyone build their confidence in speaking English. In my sessions, I like to start with some light vocabulary review, then get into any kind of conversation we feel like having. I look forward to being in this program with you!
Norma Silvera at 3:00 pm
I am Jamaican by birth. My mother tongue is English. I work with an international organization as a Resource Management Analyst. I have Accounting and Leadership degrees. I have been involved with students, spouses, and scholars, at UMD for the past seven years, engaging the Asian community quite a bit. I am in my 5th year volunteering with English Conversation Partners, and I enjoy being part of this great program. Being able to meet and engage individuals from different cultures is worth every moment.
Vincent Lan at 5:30 pm
Hi everyone, I'm Vincent. I'm a sophomore engineering major at UMD. I really enjoyed my first semester with ECP and can't wait for my second one. I love talking about food, music, culture, and lots more!
Wednesday
Martin Pickett at 2:00 pm
Hi everyone, my name is Martin. I'm an undergraduate English Education double major with two minors in Japanese and Second Language Education. I am aiming for a MCERT Masters of Education in TESOL (Teaching to Speakers of Other Languages). I'm also considering Applied Linguistics with a focus in Second Language Acquisition for a PhD. My hobbies are card games, board games, video games, computer games etc! I love helping people learn English and enjoy creating an enjoyable environment for my ECP participants. Right now I work part-time as an elementary school tutor. I look forward to speaking with you all!
Thursday
Cameron Busacca at 11:00 am
Cameron Busacca is a PhD student in International Education Policy here at UMD, and organizes the ECP program! I love culture in every sense of the word, it's a word with infinite meanings! I enjoy conversations about almost everything and anything.
David & Angela Kim at 6:00 pm
Hi everyone. My name is David Kim and I will be leading this group with my wife Angela Kim. I'm Korean and my wife is Taiwanese and this will be our second time leading a large group. We are excited to meet with you and share our experience of America. We both love talking about food and places we've been to but would also love to share with you our experiences living in America!
Friday
Caitlin Kim at 12:00 pm
Hi! I graduated from UMD in May with a degree in environmental economics. In the fall I will be going to law school. I studied abroad in Seoul last year! In my free time I enjoy working out and trying new foods. I look forward to talking with you!
Byron Silvera at 5:30 pm
I am originally from the Island of Jamaica, and a Native English speaker who has lived in and traveled to various parts of the world. I am retired from UMD (Chemistry), and I enjoy the opportunity to engage and encourage students from foreign lands. I have been with ECP for the last 7 years. My hope is that having engaged you in my group, you will be able to confidently progress in your journey on the Campus and in America.
Tuesday
John Kucera at 10:00 am
Hi! I am an undergraduate Computer Science major at University of Maryland Global Campus, about to enter my third year of school. I volunteered to facilitate for this program in Spring/Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 and found that it was a great experience to talk and learn with the participants. I am so grateful to come back for Summer 2020 to have conversations and help anyone build their confidence in speaking English. In my sessions, I like to start with some light vocabulary review, then get into any kind of conversation we feel like having. I look forward to being in this program with you!
Norma Silvera at 3:00 pm
I am Jamaican by birth. My mother tongue is English. I work with an international organization as a Resource Management Analyst. I have Accounting and Leadership degrees. I have been involved with students, spouses, and scholars, at UMD for the past seven years, engaging the Asian community quite a bit. I am in my 5th year volunteering with English Conversation Partners, and I enjoy being part of this great program. Being able to meet and engage individuals from different cultures is worth every moment.
Vincent Lan at 5:30 pm
Hi everyone, I'm Vincent. I'm a sophomore engineering major at UMD. I really enjoyed my first semester with ECP and can't wait for my second one. I love talking about food, music, culture, and lots more!
Wednesday
Martin Pickett at 2:00 pm
Hi everyone, my name is Martin. I'm an undergraduate English Education double major with two minors in Japanese and Second Language Education. I am aiming for a MCERT Masters of Education in TESOL (Teaching to Speakers of Other Languages). I'm also considering Applied Linguistics with a focus in Second Language Acquisition for a PhD. My hobbies are card games, board games, video games, computer games etc! I love helping people learn English and enjoy creating an enjoyable environment for my ECP participants. Right now I work part-time as an elementary school tutor. I look forward to speaking with you all!
Thursday
Cameron Busacca at 11:00 am
Cameron Busacca is a PhD student in International Education Policy here at UMD, and organizes the ECP program! I love culture in every sense of the word, it's a word with infinite meanings! I enjoy conversations about almost everything and anything.
David & Angela Kim at 6:00 pm
Hi everyone. My name is David Kim and I will be leading this group with my wife Angela Kim. I'm Korean and my wife is Taiwanese and this will be our second time leading a large group. We are excited to meet with you and share our experience of America. We both love talking about food and places we've been to but would also love to share with you our experiences living in America!
Friday
Advanced Proficiency
Small Group Leaders
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Blen Jaletta at 11:30 am
I have a background in Counseling Psychology and TESOL and have just recently completed my Masters in intercultural studies. I presently work as an ESOL instructor and I love it. I joined the English conversation program in 2018 and have been enjoying it ever since! I am looking forward to another opportunity this summer of exchanging cultures and experiences as we practice English!
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Blen Jaletta at 11:30 am
I have a background in Counseling Psychology and TESOL and have just recently completed my Masters in intercultural studies. I presently work as an ESOL instructor and I love it. I joined the English conversation program in 2018 and have been enjoying it ever since! I am looking forward to another opportunity this summer of exchanging cultures and experiences as we practice English!
Large Group Leaders
Monday
Tuesday
Jonathan Tumin at 8:00 am
I have been an ECP facilitator for the past 3 semesters; of course, the spring one this year was sadly disrupted by the virus. I am a retired federal employee (program evaluator); I have a PhD in political science. I enjoy discussing a wide variety of things about American society; now, I hope I can help explain what is happening and the challenges we all face. I welcome as much participation and questions as we can fit into the time available!
Lindsay Inge Carpenter at 4:00 pm
Hello! I am a librarian at the UMD Libraries and a PhD student in Student Affairs and Higher Education. My research centers on the experiences of international students on U.S. campuses. My hobbies are crafting, running, and watching all kinds of movies. I love meeting new people and learning from others -- I look forward to making new friends through this program!
Wednesday
Jonathan Tumin at 9:00 am
I have been an ECP facilitator for the past 3 semesters; of course, the spring one this year was sadly disrupted by the virus. I am a retired federal employee (program evaluator); I have a PhD in political science. I enjoy discussing a wide variety of things about American society; now, I hope I can help explain what is happening and the challenges we all face. I welcome as much participation and questions as we can fit into the time available!
Vincent Lan at 5:30 pm
Hi everyone, I'm Vincent. I'm a sophomore engineering major at UMD. I really enjoyed my first semester with ECP and can't wait for my second one. I love talking about food, music, culture, and lots more!
Thursday
Paul Thompson at 10:30 am
Paul Thompson has led conversation group sessions for the last several years. He is semi-retired, and enjoys sharing his love of the English language with international students and visitors, while getting to know more about their home countries and cultures. Mr. Thompson received a Master's Degree from the University of Maryland - College Park.
Friday
Tuesday
Jonathan Tumin at 8:00 am
I have been an ECP facilitator for the past 3 semesters; of course, the spring one this year was sadly disrupted by the virus. I am a retired federal employee (program evaluator); I have a PhD in political science. I enjoy discussing a wide variety of things about American society; now, I hope I can help explain what is happening and the challenges we all face. I welcome as much participation and questions as we can fit into the time available!
Lindsay Inge Carpenter at 4:00 pm
Hello! I am a librarian at the UMD Libraries and a PhD student in Student Affairs and Higher Education. My research centers on the experiences of international students on U.S. campuses. My hobbies are crafting, running, and watching all kinds of movies. I love meeting new people and learning from others -- I look forward to making new friends through this program!
Wednesday
Jonathan Tumin at 9:00 am
I have been an ECP facilitator for the past 3 semesters; of course, the spring one this year was sadly disrupted by the virus. I am a retired federal employee (program evaluator); I have a PhD in political science. I enjoy discussing a wide variety of things about American society; now, I hope I can help explain what is happening and the challenges we all face. I welcome as much participation and questions as we can fit into the time available!
Vincent Lan at 5:30 pm
Hi everyone, I'm Vincent. I'm a sophomore engineering major at UMD. I really enjoyed my first semester with ECP and can't wait for my second one. I love talking about food, music, culture, and lots more!
Thursday
Paul Thompson at 10:30 am
Paul Thompson has led conversation group sessions for the last several years. He is semi-retired, and enjoys sharing his love of the English language with international students and visitors, while getting to know more about their home countries and cultures. Mr. Thompson received a Master's Degree from the University of Maryland - College Park.
Friday
