Bio

Melissa Arnesen-Trunzo

Melissa has spent a number of years teaching both domestically and internationally. She obtained her MA in TESOL from SIT Graduate Institute and PGCE from the University of Sunderland. She is currently a stay- at-home mom taking care of her newborn daughter. Before that, she was co-teaching grade 3 students (ages 8-9) in Shanghai, China. While discovering her strengths in graduate school Melissa taught a summer immersion program for Mexican High School students. She also volunteered in between classes teaching foster children in Vermont about international cultural differences and supported public school teachers, for her practicum phase, in Ciudad Quesada, Costa Rica (January - March 2012). Melissa has taught a variety of ages and levels in a number of countries including Sweden, Japan, Thailand, and America. The context for her teaching programs has ranged from private students, business personnel, public and private elementary and high school students, students with disabilities and English teachers.

Melissa received her PGCE from the University of Sunderland, while teaching at a PYP school in Shanghai, China. She has an MA TESOL degree from SIT (School for International Training) Graduate School, which she obtained in December of 2012. She has her CELTA certificate from IH Bangkok, Thailand, and has presented a poster session at the TESOL convention in Philadelphia, PA this 2012. In 2014 she spoke at the Creative Education Conference in Beijing, China and also had a paper on Nonviolent Communication in the classroom published.

With a background in Theater Arts, Melissa brings a level of fun, excitement and creativity to the classroom. Whether she is guiding business men in formal interactions or supporting young learners in discovering how to use English to address their needs, Melissa is able to put a creative spin on learning.

"Enter their universe and find out how the universe functions for them." - Shakti Gattegno (Workshop, May 13, 2012)