2022-2023 IGNITE PLC

YE “JANE” HE

Professor, TESOL | UNC Greensboro

I have served as the TESOL program coordinator at UNC Greensboro since 2006. At UNC Greensboro, we offer various teacher preparation programs and professional development workshops to prepare preservice teachers and support inservice teachers working with English learners, dual language learners, and their families. Currently, I serve as the Co-Principal Investigator for Project Ignite, a five-year National Professional Development project supporting teacher preparation.

Ricardo A. Bernal De la Ossa

Ph.D. student | Project IGNITE Graduate Assistant | Teacher Education and Development, School of Education | UNC Greensboro

As a 30-year professional in the field of education, I have worked in multicultural/multilingual settings in both public and private sectors, internationally and locally. I received my M.Ed. in Teacher Education-TESOL from UNCG in 2016, and also hold an M.A. in International Education, English concentration, and a B.A. in Language Teaching Education – double major in English and French. Since 2005, I have been working with Guilford County Schools as a middle grades English facilitator to multilingual learners, teacher leader, mentor, community liaison, interpreter, and advocate. I have also served on GCS’ Superintendent Advisory Council. An avid reader, swimmer, and traveler, I enjoy learning about countries, languages, and cultures, and is passionate about working with and serving our local immigrant community.

Beth Poydock

Ph.D. student | Project IGNITE Graduate Assistant | Teacher Education and Development | School of Education, UNC Greensboro

I currently work as the ESL Lead Teacher for Rowan Salisbury School System in Salisbury, North Carolina. My teaching experience is primarily in an elementary ESL classroom, and now I coach and work with students and teachers, K-12. I provide professional development and support on academic language acquisition, WIDA standards, and ML instructional strategies.​

I have a passion for ensuring that all students and their families receive equal access to education and all the programs and services that our public schools offer. I am a member of Carolina TESOL, NAELPA, and International TESOL. I believe that making connections and networking with colleagues is the best way to improve our education system. For fun I volunteer with Girl Scouts, hike up in the mountains, and sew little critters.

Diana Castaño​

Bilingual Programs Instructional Coach | Winston Salem/Forsyth County Schools

I’ve had the great pleasure of being a teacher in many settings for over 20 years! I’ve been a traditional, bilingual, and Spanish immersion classroom teacher, as well as a reading specialist in all elementary grades. I have also been a preschool director, instructional facilitator and now a district level instructional coach. I received my undergraduate degree from Kean University and my master’s degree from Appalachian State University.​ I absolutely believe that being fully bilingual is a necessary 21st century skill and am passionate about advocating for my teachers, students and community! I firmly believe that every single child has the right to a high quality public education that will allow them access to a successful future of their own choice. I also believe that it is the educator’s role to facilitate learning experiences that allow for every student to see the choices in their future. I love everything about education and am inspired daily by the many amazing teachers, teacher assistants, and staff I serve that do all they can in support of our students. When I’m not at work, or in class, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, being outdoors, photography and traveling.

Edison García Tenza​

6th, 7th, and 8th ESL Teacher ​| Allen Middle School, Guilford County Schools

I am currently licensed as a teacher in the state of North Carolina, with a B.S. in Foreign Languages and a M.A. in TESOL. I am a highly motivated and dedicated educator who strives to help all students, including international students, to succeed. As a Middle School (ESL) Teacher with more than 7 years of experience and a Level 1 instructor of RWE, I enjoy getting involved and helping the international community in Greensboro.

Clara Molina​

ESL K-12 | Migrant | Bertie County Schools

I have been teaching over 15 years. I worked as an ESL teacher in my home country of Colombia, South America.​ This is my 8th year teaching in the U.S.A. I was a K-12 Spanish teacher for 7 years, now I have the opportunity to be the ESL teacher from K-12 and also the migrant recruiter for the county.​ This new position has given me the opportunity to learn more about my community and find different ways to serve our kids.​ I enjoy watching movies and my favorite outdoor activity is being at the beach.

Maria Cristina Morales​

6th, 7th, and 8th Science Middle School Teacher | Allen Middle School, Guilford County Schools

A licensed 6-12 teacher in North Carolina, I have been in academics for 17 years. My previous educational experience consists of being a 5th-12th grade teacher, curriculum designer and high school teacher. It is my passion to make a difference to the lives of the students entrusted to my care. I love to meet people, share stories, and listen to them. I enjoy being with the young people and motivate them to aim high and reach for their dreams. I am also involved as volunteer in teaching adult learners in a program called Real World English in Greensboro, North Carolina. ​

Betsy Román​

Bilingual Programs Instructional Coach, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

This is my 21st year in teaching. I graduated from Kean University in Union, New Jersey with a B.A. in Elementary Education with a Bilingual option. I also hold an ESL teacher certification and completed UNCG’s EnACTed program for the Dual Language add on. ​I began my career as a self-contained Bilingual middle school teacher. Once in North Carolina, I taught in a Spanish Immersion elementary program for several years. Later became a K-5 ESL teacher, and currently I am one of the Bilingual Programs Instructional Coach for the district. As a product of Bilingual Education, I believe in the program and am passionate in advocating for our students, teachers, and community. When not working, I enjoy time with family and friends and listening to and dancing to all genres of music. I also, enjoy learning about all countries and their cultures.

Analia Wells, M.A. TESOL, NBTC​

Dual Language Curriculum Facilitator | Hunter Elementary, Guilford County Schools

I have served as the DL Curriculum Facilitator at Hunter since 2018. Prior to that, I taught for 20 years here and in my native Argentina. I taught English as a foreign language, ESL and Spanish K-12. ​In addition to being board certified as ELD specialist, I am a certified Apple Learning Coach.​ I am passionate about serving multilingual learners and their families as I advocate for social justice, DL/I and linguistic equity.