English Hound Teachers
Mary Trask
Mary has over 30 years of teaching experience ranging from kindergarten to adult learning. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Elementary Education with a Reading Specialization from Wittenberg University and Master of Education in Reading and Language Development with high honors from Regent University. Mary is presently an adjunct professor with Columbus State Community College teaching critical reading, writing, and college success skills classes along with instructing elementary students online. Mary is presently an adjunct professor with the Education Department of Capital University in Columbus Ohio where she trains and supervises new teachers. Her passion is to see every child succeed at becoming a life-long learner by teaching each student success strategies in reading and language arts. Mary resides in Lewis Center, Ohio with her family and enjoys reading, being active, scrapbooking, baking bread and organizing most anything. Mary can teach both native English speakers and ESL students.
Nancy Simmons
Nancy has over twenty-five years of teaching experience, along with a master’s degree in Education in Reading and Language Arts, a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, reading specialist credential and single subject English credential from California State University, a multiple subject teaching credential from Chapman University, and a certificate for teaching online from the University of San Diego. After enjoying ten years of teaching multiple subjects in the California public schools, Nancy focused on teaching students much needed reading and writing skills to help them be successful in all areas. Besides years of teaching whole class and small group reading and writing skills, she has experience teaching Advanced Placement English and adult citizenships classes. Currently working as a private tutor, Nancy has the advantage of being able to teach students of all ages and create lessons that challenge and inspire the individual student. She enjoys teaching all grade levels from beginning reading to analyzing literature, and believes that the key to getting students to read and write well is to help them see the joy in language.
Cynthia Bangs
Cynthia has been teaching English to non-native speakers (ESL students) for 23 years. She has taught English reading and writing skills at the elementary and middle school levels in Hawaii, China and Thailand. She earned her dual bachelor’s degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Social Work from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a master’s degree in Psychology from Sonoma State University in California. She also holds a certification in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from the American TESOL Institute and teaches ESL students around the world as a Language Fluency Coach. Cynthia enjoys a passion for coaching and motivating students to excellence while encouraging dedicated study skills to improve and build English skills for a lifetime. She loves reading biographies of famous people, poetry, modern plays, and non-fiction and specializes in teaching critical thinking, reading, and essay writing for middle school students. Cynthia lives in Hawaii near the beach and enjoys swimming with dolphins and hiking the volcanoes of her island, as well as watching inspirational videos and surfing the internet.
ESL Students Only. Cynthia’s students in this course will enjoy reading articles, playing learning games, and watching videos (with transcripts) about animals, entertainment, current events, social issues, human interest stories, science and technology. Well-known online media sites including National Geographic for Kids, BBC Learning English, Breaking News English, Youngzine, and Tween Tribune will provide many articles to choose from. One exceptional online resource for this course will be Great Websites for Kids (News & Current Events | Great Websites for Kids) – sponsored by the American Library Association.
Dianne Eberts
Dianne has over 30 years of teaching experience with elementary students. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio and a Master’s degree in Teacher Education with a Reading Endorsement from the University of Dayton. Dianne has diverse teaching experience in both a brick and mortar public school setting and for the last fifteen years teaching for an online virtual public school. She has a track record of designing and delivering educational programs that meet individual student needs. Dianne has been recognized as Teacher of the Quarter during the 2010-2011 school year, and recipient of a Best Practices Award for excellence in online education. Dianne strives to make a difference in the lives of her students and enjoys helping students become lifelong readers. She resides in New Albany, Ohio with her husband and two boys. She enjoys reading, baking, walking for exercise, traveling and making memories with her family and friends.
Megan Smith
Megan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Capital University in Ohio. She has extensive experience teaching 2nd-5th graders in reading and writing. Young and energetic, Megan is constantly on the lookout for additional techniques and strategies to best help her students. She hopes to inspire each of her students to become a lifelong learner by helping them grow to their full potential in reading and writing. Megan’s goal is to help students realize that reading is fun by partaking in engaging lessons and creative activities in class. In her free time, Megan enjoys reading, spending time with her family and friends, and taking her dog on walks.
Shannon Marzella
Shannon is an English teacher with over a decade of experience teaching and tutoring. She graduated from Fordham University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and New York State Teaching Certification for students in grades 7-12. She then earned a Master of Arts degree in English from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Arts and Science in 2011. Since 2010, she has worked in small group settings with students in private schools throughout Fairfield County. Shannon is passionate about helping students develop strong writing skills and learn how to express their thoughts with depth and clarity. In her spare time, Shannon loves practicing yoga and spending time with her husband and two young children.
Jaime Laughard
Jaime has been teaching Language Arts for almost 20 years to students in grades 7-12. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary English Education in 2001 from the University of Pittsburgh. Her love of reading and her passion to help students thrive in this ever-changing world of technology inspired her to earn her Master’s degree in School Libraries and Information Technologies in 2008 from Mansfield University. She has taught a multitude of classes to students with abilities of all levels. From developing curriculum to implementing new teaching strategies, Jaime is constantly looking for ways to improve student learning. With the hope that all students can find success in reading and writing the English language, she is passionate about teaching and encouraging her students to become life-long learners.
Hillary Sutton
Hillary earned both a Master’s and a Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. She also completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Health Psychology at Nova Southeastern University. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Marymount Manhattan College. Hillary has taught both undergraduate and Master’s level courses in both the Behavioral Sciences and Education departments at Florida Atlantic University, Nova Southeastern University and Broward Community College. Hillary teaches AP Psychology for English Hound. In her spare time she enjoys practicing Yoga and ballroom dance. Her philosophy of teaching emphasizes the creation of a safe atmosphere that facilitates learning and growth in her students.
Kelly Carroll
Kelly has over ten years of teaching experience ranging from elementary students to adult learners. She has a Bachelor of Arts/Secondary English Education from King’s College, a Master of Science in Education Leadership and Principal Certification, K-12 from The University of Scranton, and a PhD. In Education Administration from Marywood University. Kelly has experience in both brick and mortar educational systems and for the last year managing an online virtual public school. Kelly is also an adjunct professor with the English Department of Luzerne County Community College and the Education Department of Misericordia University. Her passion is to equip high school students with college and career ready skill sets through student led discussions in lessons which inspire students to problem solve and think critically. In her spare time, she loves to travel with her husband and her two daughters.
Allison Axelrod
Allison Axelrod is an experienced and passionate writing and reading tutor. With a B.A, magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania in English Literature and a Masters of Education (M.Ed) degree from Harvard University she has developed her skills as a tutor and coach. She has over 5 years of teaching and tutoring experience and has worked with students of a variety of learning styles, backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic levels. While at Harvard, Allison pursued a concentration in human development and psychology and adopted a child-centered focus in which each student can be nurtured towards their potential. In addition to writing and reading tutoring, Allison helps students write their college essays for both undergraduate and graduate admissions. Allison believes that these essays allow each student to reflect on their own lives and weave together a narrative that directs them into their future. Allison has traveled extensively throughout Asia including India and Japan and studied abroad at the University of Edinburgh. She also assisted in the opening of a school in Israel and lived there for over a year. She approaches all of her students not only with a genuine desire for them to grow in their passions and skills, but also as citizens of the world. This approach allows them also to travel in their reading and writing adventures. She currently resides in South Florida where she enjoys yoga, art, beach views, and being close to family.
Alicia Burchell
Alicia (Ali) has over a decade of teaching experience. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in K-6 Elementary Education and a Master’s degree from Slippery Rock University in PK-12 Reading Specialist and Instructional Coaching with an emphasis in Literacy. During the day, Ali acts as a Reading Specialist in a diverse K-5 school. She also helps other teachers perfect their skill, and she leads professional development opportunities as an instructional coach. Ali is always looking to improve herself, and this is why she is a member of several reading networks. She knows education is always evolving, so she is diligent about staying up-to-date on current research and best practices. Ali resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, two daughters, and two yorkies. She enjoys campfires, walks in nature, ATV riding, and playing board games.
Tina Ward
Tina is a High School Math and English teacher with over 30 years of experience teaching and tutoring. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities with a concentration in English and a Master’s degree in Teaching grades 6-12 from Louisiana Technical University. She has extensive experience working as a math and English teacher in private schools. She has also worked with many homeschoolers as a private tutor. Tina is a passionate educator focused on helping students achieve more than they themselves believe is possible. She is a teacher who is always open to learning new skills and applying new teaching strategies. In her spare time, Tina loves to read, journal, and spend time outdoors with her husband and two Australian Shepherds.
Christine Meyer
Christine offers her students the accumulation of her years as a teacher, author, editor, and tutor. With twenty years in the classroom as a Latin and English teacher, in both private and public high schools, Christine has navigated both the brick-and-mortar and the cyber platforms. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University in philosophy; a Master of Fine Arts from New York University; and a Master of Arts in religion from Westminster Theological Seminary. While at Westminster, Christine assisted graduate students from other countries to finesse their writing of classwork essays and theses. Christine herself has authored a thesaurus, published by Bolchazy-Carducci, and served as the Assistant Editor to two journals. With a particular passion for clarity in communication, Christine knows how to help students better express what they are trying to convey. A focus on critical thinking underlies her teaching as Christine believes that the ability to analyze what one writes and reads creates a better scholar. Known as a fun teacher, Christine will adapt her teaching to the needs of the individual and will make lessons enjoyable. Christine has a dog and cat, each with Latin names, and takes a break from language skills to create abstract works of art with encaustic and cold wax.
Tracy Tokunaga
Tracy received her BA degree in communications and marketing from Western Colorado University, her teaching credential from The University of Hawaii, and her Master of Arts in Education/Education Specialist from California State University. Tracy has 20 plus years of experience teaching K-8 English, History, and ESL classes to all populations from remedial to honors. Tracy was the English department chair for many years, designing and implementing standards-based educational programs to meet the needs of all students. She now lives in Colorado and holds a K-12 English credential there. Currently, she is teaching online ESL classes to students in China. Reading has always been an essential element of Tracy’s life. Teaching literature and writing allows her to share her passion for the subject with young minds, with the goal of making a positive impact on her students. Tracy lives in Montrose, Colorado where she enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and hiking with her two labrador retrievers. She is also an avid traveler and can often be found cruising the country in her RV.
Rebecca Steimer
Rebecca Steimer is an energetic and dedicated high school English teacher who has over ten years of experience. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Illinois, and she holds a Master’s in Education with a concentration in Reading and Literacy from Benedictine University. Rebecca has taught all levels of high school, including College Grammar and Composition, AP Literature and Composition and AP Language and Composition. She has taught English Honors I, II and III, as well as College Grammar and Composition. She also has experience working as a yearbook and journalism adviser and has been a Scholastic Bowl coach. Rebecca enjoys tutoring because it gives students a chance to examine their own work closely with the teacher. Coaching students through the writing process and helping them transform their work is one of the most rewarding aspects of Rebecca’s job. In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys reading all types of books, cooking healthy dinners for her family, and running with her dog, Mindy.