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Faculty


The full-time TESOL Program faculty specialize in a variety of fields related to language teacher education including applied linguistics, ESOL methodology, testing and evaluation, and instructional systems development.

Part-time faculty add a significant and important variety of professional expertise to the program. Together, the program's instructional staff have had considerable experience with P-12, adult, and university programs, both TESOL and bilingual, throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Full Time Faculty

Francis M. Hult, Ph.D.

Program Director
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Educational linguistics, language policy and planning, linguistic landscapes, multilingual education, sustainability, TESOL methods, and transdisciplinarity.
Faculty Page: https://education.umbc.edu/faculty-list/francis-m-hult/

Jiyoon Lee, Ph.D.

Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
ESOL/FL testing and evaluation, linguistics, second language learning.
Faculty Page: https://education.umbc.edu/faculty-list/jiyoon-lee-2/

Shannon Sauro, Ph.D.

Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Second language learning, literacy, fanfiction and fan practices, language learning in the digital wilds, task-based language teaching, telecollaboration/virtual exchange.
Faculty Page: https://education.umbc.edu/faculty-list/shannon-sauro/

Mary Tabaa, M.A.

Online/Off-Campus Coordinator
M.A., UMBC
TESOL pedagogy, English grammar, instructional design, language learning theory.
Faculty Page: https://education.umbc.edu/faculty-list/mary-tabaa/

Part-Time Faculty

Cara Aaron, M.A.

M.A., UMBC
Human learning and cognition

Jill Basye-Featherston, M.A. 

M.A., UMBC
Certification internship 

Christopher Browder, Ph.D. 

M.A., UMBC
Language learning theory

Renee Burgos, M.A. 

M.A., UMBC
Intercultural communication, dual language immersion

Janet Chao, M.A. 

M.A., Notre Dame of Maryland University
TESOL Methods 

Michael Glennon, M.A. 

M.A., McDaniel College
Educational technology, instructional design

Colleen Grisham, M.A.

M.A., UMBC
Reading and writing instruction

Kate Hakeem, M.A.

M.A., UMBC
ESOL and special education

Laura Hook, M.A.

M.A., UMBC
TESOL methods, project seminar

Sherry Lyons, M.A.

M.A., UMBC
Reading and writing instruction, adult ESOL, English grammar

Kati Milter, Ph.D. 

Ph.D., UMBC
Intercultural communication, dual language immersion

Yuliya Schmaltz, Ph.D.

Ph.D., Florida Institute of Technology
Speaking and listening instruction and assessment, adult TESOL 

Kara Silanskis, M.A. 

M.A., UMBC
Reading and writing instruction 

Ray Terhorst, M.A. 

M.A., UMBC
TESOL methods, educational technology

Past Program Directors

  • Ron Schwartz, M.A., Program Founder
  • JoAnn (Jodi) Crandall, Ph.D., Professor Emerita 
  • Sarah J. Shin, Ph.D., Associate Provost for Academic Affairs 
  • John Nelson, Ph.D.
  • Doaa Rashed, Ph.D.



© TESOL Program, Department of Education, UMBC, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore MD 21250
Phone: +1 410 455-3061 • tesol@umbc.edu