Presenters

Corrine T. Spencer is a Teaching Assistant Professor at SUNY Korea and a PhD student in Educational Policy & Leadership at the University at Albany. Her research focuses on international student support, emergency communication, and inclusive pedagogy. She designs research-informed English curricula that integrate rhetoric, composition, and AI tools to support language learning in diverse, global classrooms.

Victor Reeser is a teaching professor for SUNY Korea’s English Language Program. He is the current KOTESOL Incheon Chapter President, International Outreach Committee Chair, and MCALL SIG Facilitator. Originally from Oregon, USA, he has been living in Asia and working in language education since 2009. He is currently a PhD candidate at Incheon National University studying cognitive linguistics 

Christopher Houghton is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the English Language Program at SUNY Korea and holds an M.A. TESOL from the University of Birmingham, with a focus on the implementation of TBLT in a Korean context, and has been teaching in Korea for over 14 years.  He is presently researching the use of AI for reflection purposes.  

Claudia Tumba is a passionate EFL instructor, currently holding positions at Chuncheon National University of Education and Kangwon National University. Transitioning from law to education after relocating to South Korea, she brings a decade of experience from various institutions. Dedicated to innovative teaching methods and materials creation (including "Sounds Clear" and exploring rap in the classroom), her latest achievement is the publication of the children's book, "K-Dish ABCs." 

Hyovin Ahn is a PhD Candidate in English Language and Literature at Incheon National University. Currently, she teaches English to Grade 6 students at Incheon Jangseo Elementary School. Hyovin holds a B.S. and M.A. in Elementary Music Education from Seoul National University of Education, an M.A. in English Education from Incheon National University, and a TESOL certificate from Sookmyung Women’s University. 

Elizabeth May joined SUNY Korea in 2023 as a Teaching Assistant Professor, having taught in Korea since 2011. She was awarded both her MEd Applied Linguistics and MA Education, with a research focus on technology in education. Elizabeth has been an active member of the KOTESOL community for over a decade, currently serving as an advisor for the Seoul chapter and Secretary for the Incheon chapter. 

Dr. Carina Pals has a MSc in Cognitive Science and Technology (Language and Speech Technology) and a PhD in Auditory Cognition; an emerging interdisciplinary field combining cognitive psychology, neuroscience, audiology, linguistics, and related disciplines to study challenges in hearing and speech comprehension, and particularly their interaction with cognition. Her recent research focuses on cognitive challenges faced by non-native listeners. 

Melanie Piacente is a certified educator with an M.A. in TESOL and a B.A Linguistics from Binghamton University (SUNY), where she focused on student motivation, engagement, and multimodal composition. She has taught English language learners in K–12 and adult education settings in Korea and the U.S. Her New York State certifications include ESL, literacy, GED, and remedial education.

Gabriela Villafradez is an English educator from the UK. She holds a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL. With over nine years of teaching experience, she specializes in Sociolinguistics, and Language and Culture. She teaches at the University of Ulsan, is the Busan-Gyeongnam Chapter president, and volunteers as a yoga instructor at the Ulsan Foreigner Support Center. 

Christopher Miller has two decades of experience in education spanning three different continents. He is most enthusiastic professionally when exploring the intersection of self-observation and reflective practice. Christopher currently serves as the Seoul chapter treasurer. 

Wesley Martin has been living in South Korea off and on for more than five years, and he is currently teaching at a private academy (hagwon). He also has experience teaching ESL and linguistics to a variety of backgrounds at the university level. He has studied several languages, including Spanish and Korean, and is most interested in teaching and learning vocabulary. He has an MA in linguistics from the University of Iowa. 

Dr. Meerbek Kudaibergenov is an assistant professor at Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SeoulTech). His research explores EFL teacher identity, student agency, transnationalism, and legitimacy in education. Apart from SeoulTech, he also serves as a regional editor for Journal of International Students. ORCid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7717-9473 

Michael Free is a university lecturer specializing in ELT, and, more recently, Ed Tech. With nearly 20 years of experience, he currently teaches courses on Presentation, Intercultural Communication, and Integrating AI and Elementary Education. He is the interim president of the KOTESOL Gangwon Chapter and holds adjunct positions at Chuncheon National University of Education and Kangwon National University. 

Matt Yon  is a senior teacher at the Gwacheon Youth Center in Gyeonggi-do, where he has been active for the past 8 years. Originally from South Carolina, he has lived and worked in Korea since 2016. He teaches children from kindergarten to middle school, and he also teaches adult classes on fundamentals, film and media, or conversation centered around monthly topics. 

Jonathan is an English instructor for April/CDI Namdong Branch. He is originally from Missouri, USA, and has been living in Korea and working in education since 2016. He has worked at several academies in Korea, as well as teaching private lessons to both children and adults in addition to doing summer camps and special programs throughout the years. 

Terence Oliga is the Director of the English Language Program at SUNY Korea, and holds his B.A. and M.A. in English Literature, as well as an M.A. in Secondary Education with a focus on English. Having taught English at both the high school and university levels for a quarter of a century, he is currently completing a Ph.D. in English Literature, with continued interests in literature, pedagogy, and curriculum development.  

Chuck Robinson joined the English Department of SUNY Korea in 2022. He comes from a diverse career background of teaching, training, and international corporate management. He is currently the director of SUNY’s Writing Center, oversees the conversation practice for the Intensive English students, and is the deputy director of the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity.