Quanisha Charles, PhD, is an associate professor of English at North Central College with nearly two decades of experience in TESOL, English composition, and teacher education. She holds a PhD in English (composition and TESOL) and has taught multilingual learners in higher education, intensive English programs, and international PreK-12 and postsecondary contexts in South Korea, China, Vietnam, and Lebanon. Her teaching, research, and professional service focus on equity-centered pedagogy, intercultural communication, social-emotional learning, and the thoughtful integration of digital tools and emerging technologies in language education. Dr. Charles has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes and regularly facilitates professional development for educators through partnerships with organizations such as TESOL International Association, World Learning, and the U.S. Department of State English Language Programs.
Christina Kitson, PhD, is an associate professor of English and TESL coordinator at the University of Central Missouri, where she teaches and oversees graduate and undergraduate programs in TESOL and English language education. She holds a PhD in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in TESL and a minor in assessment and technology, as well as an MA in TESL/applied linguistics with a focus on computer-assisted language learning and literacy. Dr. Kitson's research, teaching, and professional service center on educational technology, language assessment, and equitable instructional practices for multilingual learners. She is a widely published scholar and author, a frequent invited speaker on AI and technology in English language teaching, and an active leader within TESOL International Association, contributing to research initiatives, policy discussions, and professional development efforts at national and international levels.
Maria Alejandra Mareco is a bilingual educator, sociolinguistic researcher, and teacher educator with nearly 30 years of experience working across K-12 and higher education in Argentina and the United States. She holds master's degrees in TEFL and in bilingual education and has extensive expertise in curriculum design, translanguaging pedagogy, and the integration of technology in language teaching. Currently, she teaches upper elementary multilingual learners at a Title I public school in Raleigh, North Carolina, where her work connects language development with content-area learning in science and social studies. Her prior roles include serving as a principal, program coordinator, and teacher educator in Argentina, where she trained future English teachers and led bilingual and intercultural education initiatives. Maria's research and conference presentations focus on code-switching, bilingual identity, and language contact, reflecting her belief that research is most meaningful when it directly informs classroom practice.
Frank Carrizo Zirit is an English language teaching editor and teacher educator with more than 25 years of international experience in language education, assessment, and digital innovation. He has taught and trained educators across a wide range of contexts in Venezuela, the United States, and Spain, and has held leadership and training roles with organizations such as Wall Street English and International House Madrid. His professional work focuses on the purposeful integration of technology and multimodality in English language teaching, including digital platforms for writing instruction, assessment design aligned to CEFR standards, and technology-enhanced exam preparation for adult learners. In addition to his work in classrooms and teacher training, Frank is a published author and editor, a conference presenter, and the host of the What You Say in English podcast, where he explores language teaching, assessment, and professional practice.
