Meet ESOL Faculty
CHRISTA Ferrero-Castaneda
I've been teaching in the ESOL Department at College of Alameda since 2004. Currently I am the department co-chair. My background is in multicultural education. I'm passionate about teaching English to a culturally and linguistically diverse population of students at COA. I love helping students achieve their educational goals and become empowered. My goal is to create a fun and engaging classroom environment where students can feel comfortable and respected.
Email: cferrero@peralta.edu
BRIAN NG
Hello future COA ESOL students! My name is Brian Ng and I have been teaching at College of Alameda since Fall 2007. In the COA ESOL department, we have an established educational culture that emphasizes a student's first approach that requires listening and dialog to ensure that the curriculum matches the needs of the students. I have taught reading and writing, grammar, listening and speaking, pronunciation, conversation, and vocabulary and idioms at multiple levels. Learning a language as an adult is a lifelong journey and I hope that I can be a small part of your educational journey.
Email: bng@peralta.edu
didem ekici
I have been working with students from different backgrounds for almost 20 years. I love teaching because while teaching, I am also learning a lot from my students. I learn about their culture, their language, and their diverse perspectives. This is the most exciting part of teaching for me! Also, I used to be an English language learner like you all, and I can empathize with you about all the challenges you are going through while learning a new language. I promise to make my classes as enjoyable as I can, and I hope we will learn a lot together. I have been teaching Advanced Reading and Writing, Advanced Grammar, and Listening & Speaking 1 classes. I look forward to seeing you on campus!
Email: dekici@peralta.edu
Denise Urdang
Hello prospective students! Welcome to the College of Alameda family! I am happy to introduce myself. I like to be called Professor Denise and I have been teaching ESOL for 20 years. I am also a language learner myself! I have been a painting teacher and a general art teacher I hope to meet many of you online or when possible, face to face.
Email: durdang@peralta.edu
JENNY LEMPER
Hello Everyone! My name is Jenny Lemper and I’ve been teaching ESOL at College of Alameda for five and a half years. I love making fun activities to practice English. I also enjoy helping students develop academic skills like critical thinking and independent learning. I have taught all levels and skills, but I mostly have been teaching Grammar 3 and Reading/Writing 2. In fall 2020, I’m teaching Conversation and Reading/Writing 3. I hope to see you in class!
Email: jlemper@peralta.edu
Johanna Esther Carranza
I was an ESOL student 21 years ago College of Alameda. I started teaching Spanish and English for Montessori preschools as well as non-profit organizations 12 years ago at the same time; I worked as an ESOL/English and Spanish tutor at College of Alameda. I fell in love with teaching English and helping students from multicultural and diverse educational backgrounds. My background is in Radio & Television with emphasis in reporting and a minor in Spanish. I have been teaching ESOL at COA for almost two years. I like to create an environment where students can feel safe and they can share their culture while learning English.
Email: jcarranza@peralta.edu
Kim-Shree Maufas
Hello, Everybody! I love helping people. I believe that teaching is one of the best ways to help people learn to help themselves andto help others. I love teaching ESOL because it opens up so many doors in the lives of my students, so that English is not such a big secret. I have mainly worked in K-12 education and studied multicultural education in college. I’m new to the College of Alameda and hope to see you in one of my classes.
Email: ksmaufas@peralta.edu
Nora Mitchell
While I have experience teaching all ESOL skills at all levels, I’m thrilled to be teaching my favorite subject, Pronunciation, this fall at COA. I hold a B.A. from UC Berkeley focused on French language and history. After careers in high-tech marketing and non-profit management, I decided to become an ESOL teacher am so happy I did! I’ve been teaching at COA for one year and love the diversity of students and great teachers.
Email: hmitchell@peralta.edu
Emma Donnelly
I have lived in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. I became an ESOL teacher 11 years ago because I really love teaching English to students from around the world. I have been a professor at College of Alameda for five years. I teach English as a global language with a focus on cross-cultural understanding. My teaching style is very energetic and creative. I also create a classroom environment to help you feel supported, safe, seen, heard and respected. I am excited to be your teacher and make learning English a positive experience.
Email: edonnelly@peralta.edu
