Jenni Aberli

As an Educational Programs Specialist at CTL, Jenni works with teachers to provide professional learning and support around literacy-focused initiatives and programs. Prior to taking this position, she worked in public education for 26 years, most recently as the high school English Language Arts (ELA) lead for Jefferson County Public Schools where she designed curriculum frameworks and resources, professional learning opportunities, and standards-aligned support for teachers. Jenni is an EdReports Klawe Fellow and has served as an EdReports ELA reviewer/writer, a Kentucky Core Advocate with Achieve the Core, a Facing History and Ourselves ELA Advisory Board member, a Louisville Writing Project Fellow, a Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC) Lead and Learn Fellow, and a twenty-year National Board Certified Teacher. She also received a Learning Forward Best Evaluation of Professional Learning Award.

Donna Albrecht

Donna Albrecht is the Director of Graduate Studies in Education. Donna also directs the New Neighbors Education Center, an outreach and professional development center serving schools and the community working with EL students. She has taught and administered in US and international PK-12 and college settings for over 30 years. Donna has an M.A. in TEFL from the American University in Cairo, an Ed.S. in School Superintendency, and an Ed.D. from Ball State in Educational Administration and Supervision.  Donna is one of the founders of INTESOL’s Advocacy branch. Her research focuses policy issues of PK-12 ESL programs, identifying and teaching English learners with high abilities, and effective training of teachers who work with English learners.

Darlene Anders

I have been an ESL educator for 16+ years and work as an elementary ESL resource teacher in Jefferson County Public Schools. I earned a BA and MAT from the University of Louisville and a Doctor of Arts from Murray State University.

Dr. Kelli Bernedo

Dr. Kelli Dehr Bernedo is an Assistant Professor and the Coordinator of ENL/ESL Education programs at Indiana University Southeast. Dr. Bernedo's professional experiences include serving as a classroom teacher, a Spanish language teacher, an English as a foreign language teacher in Ecuador, an ELL teacher, a district ELL director, and a Spanish Immersion Instructional Coach. She has also served as an educational consultant for close to a decade. This work has allowed her to support many school districts with their language learners for more than a decade. 

Alexandra Bryan 

I am an Assistant Professor of ESL and also teach for the English Department at Jefferson Community and Technical College. 

Renee Cannon

Renee Cannon is an Elementary Resource Teacher in Louisville, Kentucky. Renee's work includes coaching teachers along with developing and presenting professional development. Renee enjoys working with technology to promote language and literacy. Renee holds a Master’s of Teaching from the University of Louisville and a Masters from  Bellarmine University with a focus in literacy.

Skip Cleavinger

Skip Cleavinger is the English Learner Program Consultant and DEIB Coordinator at Green River Region Educational Cooperative (GRREC).   Skip worked in Warren County Schools as a school psychologist and Director of English Learner Programs.  He is the Past President of the Kentucky Coalition for English Learners  and a member of the Prichard Committee. 

Christopher Clements

Chris Clements is ESL adjunct faculty member at Jefferson Community Technical College (JCTC) Downtown Campus.  Chris worked 11.5 years with Catholic Charities Migration & Refugee Services (MRS) Program assisting a wide range of refugees and immigrants for this resettlement agency.  His education background includes Masters in Public Administration (MPA) and two Bachelors of Arts in History and Political Science from University of Kentucky.

Jill Handley

Jill is an award-winning principal who is in her 16th year leading Kenwood Elementary. In addition to leading her own school, Jill mentors new & aspiring principals; has presented at the local, state and national level; and is the host of Be The Leader You Deserve podcast. Jill is highly sought out by other administrators to help create systems that support an inclusive environment.  In 2021 Kenwood was recognized as a National ESEA Distinguished School for the inclusionary work they do to support the success of their multilingual learners.

Shasta Hensey

Shasta Hensley is State Transformation Specialist (STS) for the Kentucky Department of Education in the Office of Special Education and Early Learning. Shasta has served in public education for 20 years. In addition to her role as an STS,  she serves Kentucky students, families and teachers in the area English Learners with disabilities.

Kristen Kapp

Bachelors and Masters in Moderate and Severe Disabilities with an Endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis from University of Kentucky. Taught high school MSD for 5 years then transitioned to the District MSD Consultant in Shelby County. After 4 years, took a job as the ECE Implementation Coach at Newcomer Academy in Jefferson County.

Niaz Khadem

Niaz teaches multilingual learners at Mayfield High School. He studied at Murray State University and the University of the Cumberlands. His research interests include service learning, media literacy, asset-based planning, curricular integration, narrative modeling, professional development, and education for homecoming. 

Monica Lakhwani

Dr. Monica Lakhwani is the Multicultural Specialist for the Office of Diversity, Equity and Poverty with Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS). She is responsible for facilitating cultural competency trainings for district and community organizations. Additionally, she serves as a Humanities/ESL adjunct for Jefferson Community and Technical College, focuses on gender and religious equity, and continues to support underrepresented populations. 

Kim Miller

Kim Miller’s career includes teaching 16 years in Elementary and Intermediate education and as a Language Acquisition Specialist.  She has a heart for helping students increase their language development and collaborating with teachers.   Kim adapts and adjusts instruction, based on observation and evidence, to meet student needs.  Kim completed certification in the instruction and implementation of the Science of Reading.  Kim is currently a Literacy Engagement Specialist with Vista Higher Learning supporting the Central U.S. Team.  She works with districts and educators with product implementation, professional development and best practice for teachers and students.

Dr. Gera Nelson

Dr. Gera Nelson is an assistant professor at Morehead State University, where she teaches literacy classes. She has taught ELL students at P-12 schools for 23 years, both in Georgia and Kentucky. She has earned a Doctoral Degree in Curriculum and instruction - Literacy (Georgia Southern University), and Masters in Middle School Education (Georgia Southwestern State University), and an ESOL Endorsement (Valdosta State University).

Dr. Geniene Piche

My expertise includes a thorough understanding of national and state laws and regulations, as well as extensive research, budget management, strategic planning, and community building skills. I am currently responsible for directing World Language and English Learner programs in 26 schools. I strive to align potential with possibility by empowering teachers and leaders to provide equitable access to education.

Molly Riddle (Co-Presenting with Donna Albrecht & Dr. Kelli Bernedo)

IU Southeast Assistant Professor of Elementary Mathematics Education.

Sheena Roller

Sheena Roller has been teaching in a middle school setting for the past 21 years. During that time, she has held several different positions including language arts teacher for regular, collaborative, and accelerated classes; school literacy coach; school instructional coach; school reading and math interventionist. In her current role as reading interventionist, she collaborates with her school’s ESL teacher to use SIOP with a number of ELLs from Ukraine and from Mexico. She has also taken on many leadership roles in both school and district such as member of SBDM, department head, academic team coach, RTI school process owner, school technology coordinator, and the lead sponsor for our National Junior Beta Chapter. Outside of school, she is a wife and mother of her own middle schooler. Sheena is currently working on an ELL endorsement through EKU’s graduate program.

Michelle Shory

Michelle is a veteran language educator with 25 years of experience in five states. She is an instructional lead for digital innovation, focusing on multilingual learners and middle schoolers in Jefferson County Public Schools.  Michelle is also an adjunct instructor. She is proud of the site ELL2.0 she and Dr. Irina McGrath started several years ago. You can view their work at bit.ly/ell2point0

Troy Stroud

Pike County ELL instructor and KYTESOL board member. 

Basel Touchan, M.D.

Dr. Basel Touchan is the Multilingual, Migrant, and Refugee Lead in Fayette County Public Schools’ DEIB office. He is a recognized expert in the fields of equity, education, public health, and communication strategies for minoritized and hard-to-reach populations. He serves on the board of KyCEL and as a commissioner for the Mayor’s International Affairs Advisory Commission in Lexington, KY.

Scott Wade

Scott is chairman of the English Department at the ESL Newcomer Academy, a high school in Jefferson County for immigrant and refugee teens. He was a finalist for Kentucky Teacher of the Year in 2021, an ExCEL Award Winner, a National Board Certified teacher and mentor to current candidates. Wade works with National Geographic and Justice Now. He was a journalist for 16 years before becoming a teacher. He recently co-published a piece in the publication of the National Council of Teachers of English and presented at the WIDA National Conference in Louisville and the Southeast TESOL in Richmond.

Saihua Xia

Dr. Saihua Xia is a Professor of TESOL and English at Murray State University where she teaches TESOL graduate and undergraduate courses. She has been actively involved in serving KYTESOL members and TESOL International members over the past 15 years. She is a frequent presenter at TESOL International and AAAL. She has published peer reviewed articles and book chapters in applied linguistics. Her research and teaching interests are L2 teacher instruction, L2 learning strategies, classroom-based SLA, and intercultural pragmatics.