Executive Board Members

Bio - Doug Vantour

Doug has had a passion for teaching since 2012 and has done so in various capacities. He started his teaching career in Occupational Health and Safety and then expanded into the field of language instruction. He began his language instruction career as a volunteer with the Cultural Connections Institute – The Learning Exchange (CCI-LEX) and now is a full-time and part-time instructor with the Edmonton Catholic Schools LINC program. He is an advocate for continuing education, the rights for cultural identity, and respect for all. He has been affiliated with various committees and executive boards in a number of roles and looks forward to bringing that experience to ATESL. In his free time Doug enjoys, camping, golfing, hiking, and likes to cook. When not sitting is his shared home office, you will find Doug at the dog park or working in the garden.

Bio - Gabriela Jessome

Gabriela’s life-long commitment to learning began with a public accounting certification from the Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan in Mexico. Then, she completed a Master’s in International Marketing at UCLA in the USA. Her mastery of the English language helped her achieve her dream of studying abroad. So, she decided to become an English teacher to help others achieve their dreams. She obtained her ESL Teacher Level 2 certification in the USA followed by her TESOL/TESL/TEFL certifications and Post-TESL Training in Canada. Gabriela is currently working as a LINC Program Manager at ASSIST Community Services Centre. Her motto is that to teach is to plant the seeds for a better future. In her spare time, Gabriela runs Zumba and Folklore classes. She loves camping during the summer and spending time with her husband, daughter, 2 cats, and 2 dogs.

Bio - Sofia Elgueta

Sofia has 20 years of experience teaching EAL. She has taught children and adults in South America and has been with the English Language School, University of Alberta, since she moved to Canada in 2008. She usually teaches Academic English but has developed and taught a variety of courses for specific purposes, workplace communication, and global citizenship, among others. She strives to make a difference in her students' lives by helping them develop the communication and language skills they need to thrive. She is committed to professional development and incorporating current best practices to facilitate language acquisition through interaction and participation in a setting of student-centred learning. After helping organize the 2021 ATESL Conference, she is excited to continue connecting with the membership in her role as Social Media Coordinator. She can’t wait to share the organization’s initiatives and amazing work with the world!

Bio - Tingyi Sun

Tingyi is currently a master's student and research assistant in the TESL program at the University of Alberta. Outside of her academic responsibilities, Tingyi enjoys volunteering with CCI-LEX and the English Language School at the University of Alberta and walking along the beautiful river valley. Before coming to Canada, she had two years of English teaching experience at the college level in China and worked as a bilingual magazine editor for ten years. She also holds an MA in English literature.

Bio - Wendy Ilott

Wendy is happy that she can serve on the ATESL board as treasurer! In the past she served as the provincial board secretary and the chair of the ATESL Advocacy Committee. Wendy has taught ESL for 30 years, completed her MEd and is now working on an MBA. She is currently teaching in NorQuest College’s Settlement Studies Program.

Bio - Rigvi Kumar

I'm currently working as a part-time CLB 6 LINC Instructor at ASSIST Services Community Center and also as a Bridging Program Writing Studies 101 TA at the University of Alberta. Previously, I've also worked as a Curriculum Assistant at CCI-LEX where I designed and curated lesson plans and learning materials/videos for ESL students from various educational backgrounds and learning experiences. I'm also currently a Master's in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) student at the University of Alberta and plan to pursue a doctorate degree in this field in the future.

Bio - Melinda Johnston

Melinda’s passion for teaching began in the water 33 years ago as an aquatics professional instructing many people from different cultures and ages how to swim. She soon discovered that there was language barriers and economic limitations that newcomers were facing in obtaining water safety training. Melinda returned to post-secondary education to get her Adapted Aquatics Kinesiology diploma at Red Deer College and her Sociology degree from the University of Calgary to advocate for newcomers facing economic constraints, in accessing training for sports. However, Melinda’s path changed after she became a voluntary ESL tutor supporting international students and newcomers in the Red Deer community. After the pandemic hit in 2020, Melinda worked 2 years, teaching internationally online for two of the biggest Chinese ESL companies as an TEFL teacher contractor. Currently Melinda, is completing her Level 1 TESL Canada Teacher training certificate and teaches swimming privately. In her spare time, Melinda loves to garden, learn language, and do photography.

Bio - Nura Mohamed

Nura Mohamed has been teaching ESL for more than 10 years and has taught all levels and age groups. In addition to that, Nura has taught English overseas in the grade school system in the UAE for three years. She's currently a LINC Instructor at The Immigrant Education Society and has been teaching the PBLA world for 4 years. Nura obtained her bachelors in Communication from the University of Calgary and CELTA certificate from Cambridge English Language Assessment, University of Cambridge in 2016. In her free time, she enjoys painting and hiking up to Banff.

Bio - Jenifer Soto

Jenifer is an internationally graduated English teacher with more than 10 years of experience. Over the last 6 years, she has been working as a LINC instructor in different immigrant serving agencies. Her experience includes working with learners ranging from CLB1 to CLB8, including a Multilevel Special Needs LINC class. Some of her completed courses include: "Inside the Learning Disabilities for Educators", "Teaching in Multi-Level Contexts", "Empowering Students with Learning Disabilities". She has a passion for working with the immigrant population and supporting them in the inclusion of technology for learning purposes. This year, she joined TIES as LINC Home Study Instructor and LINC PT AM Instructor.

Bio - Lauren Barrows

Lauren Barrows is the Manager of the English Language Institute (ELI) at the University of Lethbridge. At the ELI she manages language programs for international students and professionals. Before joining the University of Lethbridge Ms. Barrows spent over fifteen years in the high-stakes test development industry, and developed language tests for major domestic and international testing organizations as well as several branches of the US and Canadian Governments. She has an MA in Linguistics and Applied Language Studies and TESL Certificate from Carleton University, and is currently pursuing an educational doctorate at the University of Toronto with a specialization in international education and policy.

Bio - Alana Johnson

Alana Johnson is very excited to be part of the ATESL board as the South Alberta Co-chair. Alana was born, raised and currently resides in southern Alberta. She has been involved in the field of English as an additional language for over 15 years. Alana has been with the NorQuest Rural Routes Program for the last 6 years and is currently the program lead. Alana is also trained as an essential skills specialist. Outside of work, Alana enjoys hiking, reading and playing with her grandkids.

Bio - Dora DiLullo Patten

Dora has been in the field of second language learning for over 35 years. She has trained teachers and student teachers since the early 1990’s, and has taught, collaborated and trained teachers on 5 continents. She loves to create a learning environment that is rich and safe, where students feel comfortable sharing and learning from each other. Dora believes strongly in lifelong learning and she actively pursues professional development opportunities. Her focus in graduate school was on curriculum, materials and assessment design. She is also a strong advocate for the rights of students and teachers. Dora currently works at the University of Calgary, and has also worked at the Calgary Board of Education and Bow Valley College. Dora also had her own company teaching English in the Workplace for over 20 years and has been a lead teacher in PBLA. She has always been a member of ATESL and served on the Calgary Local in various positions, including chair, for several years.

Bio - Irene Wood

Irene has been with ATESL since 2007, and took on the role of Business Manager in 2012. Working with ATESL has been one of the most rewarding jobs ever, and when she's not doing Business Manager things, Irene enjoys hiking and camping.