Innovative, professional teaching is the trademark of INTO UAB's English Language Programs. We are proud to work with some of the most talented English language instructors in this region.
Does teaching with the English Language Programs interest you?
Read about our Teacher Qualifications and find out how to apply for a teaching assignment with ELP.
Teacher Qualifications
Although our instructors are all individuals and bring unique qualities to each teaching assignment, there is a body of characteristics that they share. In an attempt to assist you in knowing whether or not teaching with the English Language Programs (ELP) is right for you, we offer this incomplete list as a sample of the sorts of qualities we look for in instructors.
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Education
Since the ELP stresses the professional training of instructors as a feature of our program, a Master’s degree that focuses on English language teaching and the related areas of applied linguistics is essential. This advanced degree is usually a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), but we also consider candidates who have a Master’s degree in the Teaching of Languages (with an English language emphasis) or a Master’s degree in Education (again, with an English language teaching emphasis). Other closely related advanced degrees may also be considered, but usually only if they provide a demonstrated emphasis in the teaching of the English language and fulfill required coursework elements.
Occasionally we may consider an instructor who is in the process of completing one of these degrees, but only if the instructor already has another Master’s degree and has demonstrated experience and knowledge in the area.
Also, please note that if an instructor is only interested in teaching our Cross-cultural Communication Seminars, an advanced degree in that area or in Intercultural Communication would then be appropriate.
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Experience
Our instructors all have had experience teaching English in the areas of adult and higher education. Since the ELP primarily provides courses in these areas of English language needs, experience teaching at the college/university level and/or teaching adults is preferable.
In addition, our instructors have had experience studying languages, and several of them can communicate comfortably in another language. While fluency in a second language is not essential for many of our teaching assignments, having seriously studied a second language is a key characteristic of our instructors. Studying another language gives a teacher inside knowledge into the experience of language learners, and we believe having that experience helps develop better teachers.
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Professional Development
We look for instructors who are lifelong learners—instructors who realize that the area of teaching English is complex and changing, meriting continued study. We look for instructors who take their teaching seriously enough to have identified areas of professional research interest. We look for instructors who would be interested in helping fellow teachers grow and improve as a teaching team.
Do these characteristics describe a team you would like to join? If so, please read How to Apply for a position with English Language Programs.
How to Apply
To apply for an adjunct teaching position with the English Language Programs, send a cover letter, resume or C.V., and list of references (preferably linked to English language teaching training and/or experience) to the following address. Include a list of graduate coursework related to English language teaching in your resume or CV, as well as examples of the kinds of courses and the kinds of learners you have taught (in addition to where you have taught). A video demonstrating past classroom teaching is welcomed but not required.
Send your application packet to:
Director of Academic Programs
INTO UAB
Sterne Library-2nd floor
917 13th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35294
When full-time instructor positions are available, they are posted through the UAB Human Resources website.
For any additional information on working with the English Language Programs, please contact the Director of Academic Programs by email at
Administrators
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Amy M. Snow
Director of Academic Programs
Amy graduated from the University of Alabama with a Masters in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). She received her undergraduate degree from Samford University in Spanish Language and Literature. Amy has had experience teaching in Indonesia and China and studied in Spain. She also worked as an instructor of ESL at Gadsden State Community College before beginning her work with UAB. Amy feels like she learns as much from her students as they learn from her. She enjoys watching the cross-cultural dynamic of the ESL classroom and serving as a facilitator in the learning process.
Susan Blazer
Program Manager
Susan graduated from UAB with a Master of Arts in ESL and from Samford University with an undergraduate degree in English literature and a minor in Journalism/Mass Communication. Susan has been involved in either tutoring or teaching courses in English to international students for 24 years. Susan taught ESL in Jefferson County Schools and Birmingham City Schools for 4 years. She served as the Assistant Director and ESL Instructor at Samford University’s English Language Learner Institute for 5½ years before coming to UAB. In addition, Susan and her family lived in Belo Horizonte, Brazil for 6½ years. Because of adjusting to a new culture and language herself, Susan feels a strong connection with international students and their adjustments to life in the U.S.
Monica Cantwell
Learning Resource Center Manager/Instructor
Monica has a Master’s degree in Adult ESL Education from UAB, a Master’s degree in Social Anthropology from Northeastern University in Boston, and a Bachelor’s of Art in Communications from the University of Massachusetts, with a year of linguistics and film studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. She enjoys working at the LRC because it allows her to help international students adjust to life in the U.S. and learn about their cultures and languages. Monica has taught in Japan, Boston, and Virginia, and has taught and advised students at UAB for more than 20 years.
Dana Cox
Curriculum Coordinator/Instructor
Dana has a Master of Arts degree in French with a certificate in TESOL and an undergraduate degree in Foreign Language Education from Mississippi State University. Her professional experience includes teaching French at both the secondary and university level and teaching ESL at both Mississippi State University and UAB. Her French studies included a summer in Québec and nine months in Dijon, France where she was an international student in an intensive language program. She feels that this experience has helped her understand what our international students may be experiencing while studying English at UAB. She enjoys teaching ESL because it gives her the opportunity to help international students improve their English, while also learning about different countries and cultures from her students.
Sherine Wahba
Academic Support Coordinator
Sherine graduated from UAB with a Master’s in Adult ESL Education. She taught in the ELP for 5 years before starting her position as Academic Support Coordinator. She taught different classes, but her favorite was grammar. She has also worked in the tourism industry in Alexandria, Egypt, and has worked in an administrative capacity in Chicago. Sherine loves to meet students from all over the world, and this is the main reason why she enjoys working at INTO UAB. She also believes that she can make a difference in her students’ lives by understanding the difficulties they face in learning a second language and in adjusting to a new culture.
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Monte Erwin
Monte Erwin holds a Master of Arts degree in English as a Second Language from UAB, a Masters of Arts in Religious Education, and has taught ESL/EFL for eight years. He speaks Latvian as a second language after spending six years in the former Soviet Republic of Latvia. He has also lived in the Caribbean islands for nine years. Monte has worked in both publishing and higher education. He has taught English in Riga, Latvia and at Gadsden State Community College, Samford University, and now UAB. Although Monte loves teaching English, his passion and call in life is to work cross-culturally and internationally.
Bryan Lowry
Bryan graduated from UAB with a Master's in Adult ESL Education. He received an undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama in American Studies, with a concentration in Telecommunications and Film. His professional experience includes working with ESL teachers in the Shelby County school system, work as an Instructor at Aeon Language Schools in Japan, and teaching a variety of courses for the ELP. Bryan tries to make learning fun, and his classes often feature games and other active ways to practice English. He is a "people person" and enjoys getting to know each of his students individually.
Anna Skees
Anna has a Master’s in Education in ESL from UAB. Her undergraduate degree is in English from Bob Jones University. Anna taught English for a year in Tver, Russia, at Vista English School. She has coordinated many children's camps throughout Russia for the organization Russian Summer Camps. Most recently, she taught a summer camp in China in Summer 2015. Anna loves the classroom dynamic as students engage each other and interact using English. It's wonderful to see students grow in confidence and ability! She also enjoys experiencing other cultures by getting to know her students.
Natalie A. Twelkemeier
Natalie received her Master's of Arts degree in TESOL and Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College in Chicago, Illinois. She also has an undergraduate degree in graphic design and information technology from the University of South Alabama. She has taught English at universities in Thailand, Kazakhstan, multiple cities in China, most recently at Tianjin Peiyang University for 5 years. She has also presented at various regional ESL Conventions. She enjoys thinking of creative ways to teach, creating games, activities and visual aids to help students learn, and getting to know students from around the world. She also likes exploring how technology can best utilized in the classroom.
Kate Oakley
Before moving to Birmingham in 2021, Kate was director of the Writing Center at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois, where she graduated with a BA in English. She has an MA in writing and publishing from Emerson College. Kate has a TEFL certificate and has taught ESL for ten years.