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Matt Adams is a student in the MA Composition program at SF State. He previously attended San Francisco State as an undergrad, obtaining a BA in English Creative Writing. He taught a freshman English course at SF State in the Fall of 2021, focusing on the ever-evolving subjects of education, labor, and societal issues. The focus of his capstone is advocation for centering student voice in the composition classroom. Matt strives to implement inclusivity, empathy, and socioculturalism in his teaching, and sees the composition classroom as a place of discovery and an opportunity to foster community.
Matt Adams is a student in the MA Composition program at SF State. He previously attended San Francisco State as an undergrad, obtaining a BA in English Creative Writing. He taught a freshman English course at SF State in the Fall of 2021, focusing on the ever-evolving subjects of education, labor, and societal issues. The focus of his capstone is advocation for centering student voice in the composition classroom. Matt strives to implement inclusivity, empathy, and socioculturalism in his teaching, and sees the composition classroom as a place of discovery and an opportunity to foster community.
Ryan Barrett is a graduate student in the Composition Program at San Francisco State University. He is also an English teacher and department co-chair at Pinole Valley High School in the East Bay. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English literature from SF State in 2007 and has been working for the West Contra Costa Unified School District for 10 years, gaining experience and developing as an educator. His major research interests include writing assessment and multimodality, which have inspired the focus of his forthcoming capstone project.
Ryan Barrett is a graduate student in the Composition Program at San Francisco State University. He is also an English teacher and department co-chair at Pinole Valley High School in the East Bay. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English literature from SF State in 2007 and has been working for the West Contra Costa Unified School District for 10 years, gaining experience and developing as an educator. His major research interests include writing assessment and multimodality, which have inspired the focus of his forthcoming capstone project.
Gerraldine Darlington is a graduate student in the MA Composition program at San Francisco State.Trauma informed writing pedagogy and transference are areas of study she is most interested in. She earned both her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and teaching credential at San Francisco State. Currently, she is teaching high school English, and had previously taught for many years at the middle school level.
Gerraldine Darlington is a graduate student in the MA Composition program at San Francisco State.Trauma informed writing pedagogy and transference are areas of study she is most interested in. She earned both her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and teaching credential at San Francisco State. Currently, she is teaching high school English, and had previously taught for many years at the middle school level.
Lindsey de Genova is a masters candidate in the rhetoric and composition program at San Francisco State University and is currently completing their capstone work on community building in FYC. A proud Californian Community College alum, Lindsey graduated from Sierra College in 2014 before transferring to the University of Southern California where they graduated with a degree in narrative studies in 2017 after completing capstone work that focused on the relationship between music, memory and narrative form. Since then, Lindsey has also worked in various fields of writing and education that include copy writing, social media/marketing, and international admission. Strongly influenced by their background in queer and feminist theory, Lindsey’s pedagogical beliefs around writing and education are guided by their ever present curiosity for examining the relationship between linear power, language, writing, and educational praxis, along with their passion for a spicy debate.
Lindsey de Genova is a masters candidate in the rhetoric and composition program at San Francisco State University and is currently completing their capstone work on community building in FYC. A proud Californian Community College alum, Lindsey graduated from Sierra College in 2014 before transferring to the University of Southern California where they graduated with a degree in narrative studies in 2017 after completing capstone work that focused on the relationship between music, memory and narrative form. Since then, Lindsey has also worked in various fields of writing and education that include copy writing, social media/marketing, and international admission. Strongly influenced by their background in queer and feminist theory, Lindsey’s pedagogical beliefs around writing and education are guided by their ever present curiosity for examining the relationship between linear power, language, writing, and educational praxis, along with their passion for a spicy debate.
Katelyn Endow expected to be at SF State for only one year in order to earn the Teaching of Composition Certificate. Classmates, professors, and wonderful opportunities to teach & tutor college students convinced her to stay at SF State a few more years for the full Masters of Composition program. Katelyn previously graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in Interactive Entertainment (fancy for “video game design”) and an MAT in TESOL. She has worked extensively with elementary and middle school students for the past 10 years as a master Lego instructor, English teacher in rural Japan, and on-campus technology specialist. In her free time, Katelyn enjoys playing video games such as Pokemon and the Persona series in Japanese as a means of expanding her second language vocabulary.
Katelyn Endow expected to be at SF State for only one year in order to earn the Teaching of Composition Certificate. Classmates, professors, and wonderful opportunities to teach & tutor college students convinced her to stay at SF State a few more years for the full Masters of Composition program. Katelyn previously graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in Interactive Entertainment (fancy for “video game design”) and an MAT in TESOL. She has worked extensively with elementary and middle school students for the past 10 years as a master Lego instructor, English teacher in rural Japan, and on-campus technology specialist. In her free time, Katelyn enjoys playing video games such as Pokemon and the Persona series in Japanese as a means of expanding her second language vocabulary.
Cyrus Freeberg is a graduate student of the SF State MA TESOL program and an ESL Support and Outreach Specialist at the Napa Valley Community College. Although born and raised in the Bay Area, he achieved his BA at the University of Boulder Colorado with a major in Russian Studies as well as a year spent abroad in St. Petersburg as part of an intensive language program. After spending several years on the ambulance, he has returned to the world of language and is focused on making instruction more engaging through creative and drama oriented pedagogical approaches. His capstone project involves creating an ESL communications class curriculum centered around drama techniques.
Cyrus Freeberg is a graduate student of the SF State MA TESOL program and an ESL Support and Outreach Specialist at the Napa Valley Community College. Although born and raised in the Bay Area, he achieved his BA at the University of Boulder Colorado with a major in Russian Studies as well as a year spent abroad in St. Petersburg as part of an intensive language program. After spending several years on the ambulance, he has returned to the world of language and is focused on making instruction more engaging through creative and drama oriented pedagogical approaches. His capstone project involves creating an ESL communications class curriculum centered around drama techniques.
Emily Gable is completing her MA TESOL degree at SF State. She earned her BA in Fine Art at Hunter College and MA in Philosophy at SF State. She has taught in various capacities for the last 10 years including Critical Thinking at SF State and Women and Philosophy at De Anza College. Since 2015, she has taught Adult Basic and Secondary Education classes and ESL in the San Mateo and San Francisco County Jails. She is interested in critical pedagogies, translanguaging, incorporating art into the classroom whenever possible, and exploring the complexity of teacher and student identities in carceral classroom settings, which is the focus of her capstone project.
Emily Gable is completing her MA TESOL degree at SF State. She earned her BA in Fine Art at Hunter College and MA in Philosophy at SF State. She has taught in various capacities for the last 10 years including Critical Thinking at SF State and Women and Philosophy at De Anza College. Since 2015, she has taught Adult Basic and Secondary Education classes and ESL in the San Mateo and San Francisco County Jails. She is interested in critical pedagogies, translanguaging, incorporating art into the classroom whenever possible, and exploring the complexity of teacher and student identities in carceral classroom settings, which is the focus of her capstone project.
Andrew Henry is a graduate student in the English Composition program at SF State. Andrew has been an educator for the past 5 years at UC Berkeley, both teaching courses and advising students. His pedagogical approach focuses on popular culture and student self-reflection and self-discovery through writing. Andrew is a strong believer in creating a curriculum that is relevant and engaging to the current student population. In his free time, Andrew enjoys reading comic books, playing and watching basketball, following MCU content, and engaging in a variety of Nerd Fandoms.
Andrew Henry is a graduate student in the English Composition program at SF State. Andrew has been an educator for the past 5 years at UC Berkeley, both teaching courses and advising students. His pedagogical approach focuses on popular culture and student self-reflection and self-discovery through writing. Andrew is a strong believer in creating a curriculum that is relevant and engaging to the current student population. In his free time, Andrew enjoys reading comic books, playing and watching basketball, following MCU content, and engaging in a variety of Nerd Fandoms.
Malleeswari Jagabattuni (‘MJ’) is currently an English Language and Literacy Instructor with Refugee and Immigrant Transitions in Oakland, CA. She has five years of experience tutoring English literacy and writing in elementary school and community college. Her pedagogical interests include designing curriculum and assessment tools for pre-literacy and literacy level learners amongst immigrant and refugee communities as well as approaching health literacy using a participatory and agentive framework. Her other research interests include utilizing computational linguistics to aid in the generation of health literacy curricula and frameworks. MJ is a native speaker of the Telugu language in India. She is a proud alumna of San Francisco State University, having completed a BA in Anthropology in 2019 and an MA in English (TESOL) by May of 2022.
Malleeswari Jagabattuni (‘MJ’) is currently an English Language and Literacy Instructor with Refugee and Immigrant Transitions in Oakland, CA. She has five years of experience tutoring English literacy and writing in elementary school and community college. Her pedagogical interests include designing curriculum and assessment tools for pre-literacy and literacy level learners amongst immigrant and refugee communities as well as approaching health literacy using a participatory and agentive framework. Her other research interests include utilizing computational linguistics to aid in the generation of health literacy curricula and frameworks. MJ is a native speaker of the Telugu language in India. She is a proud alumna of San Francisco State University, having completed a BA in Anthropology in 2019 and an MA in English (TESOL) by May of 2022.
Meredith Jones is finishing a MA in TESOL and hopes to teach at the community college level. She earned a B.A. in Journalism from San Francisco State in 2008, then took a 12-year hiatus from school to play drums in different bands and tour across the United States and Canada. During this time she volunteered as an ESL tutor, which made her decide to pursue teaching. She is excited about teaching students from all over the world and giving them the tools to succeed in the United States and other English-speaking countries. Meredith is from Berkeley, CA and lives in San Francisco.
Meredith Jones is finishing a MA in TESOL and hopes to teach at the community college level. She earned a B.A. in Journalism from San Francisco State in 2008, then took a 12-year hiatus from school to play drums in different bands and tour across the United States and Canada. During this time she volunteered as an ESL tutor, which made her decide to pursue teaching. She is excited about teaching students from all over the world and giving them the tools to succeed in the United States and other English-speaking countries. Meredith is from Berkeley, CA and lives in San Francisco.
Melissa Ledesma is a Filipina who immigrated to the United States in 2017. Earlier in her career, she taught freshman composition, research, and oral communication classes at De La Salle University (Manila). In 2019, she joined the community of learners in SF State’s MA Composition program. Through the masters program, Melissa discovered new lenses in looking at education and its purpose. The new ideas, learning, and reflections, reignited her passion and commitment in teaching and expanded her educational interests to include grading, assessment practices, critical theory, inclusive education, inquiry based learning, and active learning. Since joining SF State, Melissa has been actively engaged in its community as a tutor supporting undergraduate and graduate students at the SF State’s Tutoring and Academic Support Center. In fall of 2021, Melissa taught freshman composition as a graduate teaching assistant. Melissa will graduate in May 2022 and continue to pursue a teaching and research career.
Melissa Ledesma is a Filipina who immigrated to the United States in 2017. Earlier in her career, she taught freshman composition, research, and oral communication classes at De La Salle University (Manila). In 2019, she joined the community of learners in SF State’s MA Composition program. Through the masters program, Melissa discovered new lenses in looking at education and its purpose. The new ideas, learning, and reflections, reignited her passion and commitment in teaching and expanded her educational interests to include grading, assessment practices, critical theory, inclusive education, inquiry based learning, and active learning. Since joining SF State, Melissa has been actively engaged in its community as a tutor supporting undergraduate and graduate students at the SF State’s Tutoring and Academic Support Center. In fall of 2021, Melissa taught freshman composition as a graduate teaching assistant. Melissa will graduate in May 2022 and continue to pursue a teaching and research career.
Natalia Monteiro is a bilingual speaker of Portuguese, as a first language, and English as a second language. She is an English for Speakers of Other Languages teacher, having worked as a teacher in Brazil, teaching Brazilians of all ages, as a reading/writing tutor at SF State’s writing center, and as a teacher for elders over Zoom for one semester. Natalia also volunteers for project SHINE, as both a leader and a coach in ESL classes. She has earned a TESOL certificate in Canada and will earn a Master’s degree from San Francisco State University in Spring 2022. Her main interests are in material development and using learners’ experiences and voices as curriculum.
Natalia Monteiro is a bilingual speaker of Portuguese, as a first language, and English as a second language. She is an English for Speakers of Other Languages teacher, having worked as a teacher in Brazil, teaching Brazilians of all ages, as a reading/writing tutor at SF State’s writing center, and as a teacher for elders over Zoom for one semester. Natalia also volunteers for project SHINE, as both a leader and a coach in ESL classes. She has earned a TESOL certificate in Canada and will earn a Master’s degree from San Francisco State University in Spring 2022. Her main interests are in material development and using learners’ experiences and voices as curriculum.
Emily Morris is a graduate student in the MA TESOL program at San Francisco State University. She is also an ESL teacher at Lao Family Community Development in Oakland. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Media Studies: Critical Studies and Rhetoric: Public Discourse Analysis from Scripps College in 2014. Prior to working in the TESOL field, she worked in media relations in politics and tech.
Emily Morris is a graduate student in the MA TESOL program at San Francisco State University. She is also an ESL teacher at Lao Family Community Development in Oakland. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Media Studies: Critical Studies and Rhetoric: Public Discourse Analysis from Scripps College in 2014. Prior to working in the TESOL field, she worked in media relations in politics and tech.
Christopher Pascua is earning his master’s degree in English Composition at San Francisco State University. While earning his degree, Christopher also works as a teaching associate for the Metro College Success Program. As an educator, his academic interests include rhetorical strategies, expository writing, persuasive writing, and problem-based learning.
Christopher Pascua is earning his master’s degree in English Composition at San Francisco State University. While earning his degree, Christopher also works as a teaching associate for the Metro College Success Program. As an educator, his academic interests include rhetorical strategies, expository writing, persuasive writing, and problem-based learning.
Ronnie Rose is an MA TESOL candidate at SF State with a keen interest in second language writing development. For the past ten years, Ronnie has worked in a variety of traditional and non-traditional education environments, including tutoring adolescents in East Palo Alto, assisting in academic writing courses at SF State and UC Berkeley, leading activist workshops across North America, and teaching English in Mexico City on a Fulbright fellowship. Outside of academia, Ronnie is a Director of Development and Evaluation for a nonprofit in Oakland that pairs alternative education with workforce training for youth and young adults impacted by poverty, the criminal justice system, and other barriers to work and life. He’s the Co-creator and Producer of The Green Pill podcast, which explores the stories of personal change behind the people at the helm of social change (www.thegreenpillpodcast.com). Most importantly, Ronnie is a devoted guardian to an old, neurotic former street dog named Ira.
Ronnie Rose is an MA TESOL candidate at SF State with a keen interest in second language writing development. For the past ten years, Ronnie has worked in a variety of traditional and non-traditional education environments, including tutoring adolescents in East Palo Alto, assisting in academic writing courses at SF State and UC Berkeley, leading activist workshops across North America, and teaching English in Mexico City on a Fulbright fellowship. Outside of academia, Ronnie is a Director of Development and Evaluation for a nonprofit in Oakland that pairs alternative education with workforce training for youth and young adults impacted by poverty, the criminal justice system, and other barriers to work and life. He’s the Co-creator and Producer of The Green Pill podcast, which explores the stories of personal change behind the people at the helm of social change (www.thegreenpillpodcast.com). Most importantly, Ronnie is a devoted guardian to an old, neurotic former street dog named Ira.
Johnny Stafford is completing his Masters in Composition from SF State. He taught high school English for eight years, working to bring joy and curiosity to reading and writing while building fluency. Johnny wants to help students wrestle with voice and win. He also earned his Bachelors and teaching credential from SF State. He earned an A.A. in Creative Writing from Foothill College after exploring several amazing community colleges and jobs, from barista to Zamboni driver. After spending eight years in the Lost Sierras of Northern California, Johnny, his wife, and their two kids find themselves lost and looking in San Francisco.
Johnny Stafford is completing his Masters in Composition from SF State. He taught high school English for eight years, working to bring joy and curiosity to reading and writing while building fluency. Johnny wants to help students wrestle with voice and win. He also earned his Bachelors and teaching credential from SF State. He earned an A.A. in Creative Writing from Foothill College after exploring several amazing community colleges and jobs, from barista to Zamboni driver. After spending eight years in the Lost Sierras of Northern California, Johnny, his wife, and their two kids find themselves lost and looking in San Francisco.
Jesse Taliaferro is a lover of language and expression. He spent a decade teaching Mandarin to middle and high school students in the early aughts. During that time he studied for his MA in Chinese, which expanded his interest in how play, stories, and language learning intertwine. After another decade of freelance writing, taking care of his kids, and volunteering, he saw the need for ESL education in the community and decided to pursue a degree in MA TESOL at SF State. He is set to graduate from the program in May 2022.
Jesse Taliaferro is a lover of language and expression. He spent a decade teaching Mandarin to middle and high school students in the early aughts. During that time he studied for his MA in Chinese, which expanded his interest in how play, stories, and language learning intertwine. After another decade of freelance writing, taking care of his kids, and volunteering, he saw the need for ESL education in the community and decided to pursue a degree in MA TESOL at SF State. He is set to graduate from the program in May 2022.
Hideki Toi is a graduate student at San Francisco State University who also works as a tutor at his mother’s English school. He was born and raised in Japan and earned his B.A. in English from Sophia University in 2017. He has been teaching English to Japanese students for more than 5 years. Before starting a current graduate program in TESOL, he had a strong interest in filmmaking and media as he was in the MFA film program at SF State. From this experience, he is now interested in multimodality in composition which incorporates various types of “texts” such as images, videos, and audios in writing. Other interests include contract-grading and learner engagement. His graduate capstone project focuses on developing teaching modules to promote students’ willingness to communicate in ESL classrooms.
Hideki Toi is a graduate student at San Francisco State University who also works as a tutor at his mother’s English school. He was born and raised in Japan and earned his B.A. in English from Sophia University in 2017. He has been teaching English to Japanese students for more than 5 years. Before starting a current graduate program in TESOL, he had a strong interest in filmmaking and media as he was in the MFA film program at SF State. From this experience, he is now interested in multimodality in composition which incorporates various types of “texts” such as images, videos, and audios in writing. Other interests include contract-grading and learner engagement. His graduate capstone project focuses on developing teaching modules to promote students’ willingness to communicate in ESL classrooms.
Katharina Santos expects to graduate in May 2022 with her MA in English with a focus in TESOL from San Francisco State University. She currently works as a tutor at Tutoring and Academic Support Center (TASC) and the Sociology department. As a dedicated learner, Katharina enrolled in College of Alameda in 2015, where she majored in Ps; she transferred to UC Davis where she received her BA degrees in both Psychology and Linguistics, with a minor in Art History in 2019. Katharina’s love for language and culture has inspired her to learn about inclusive teaching, cross-linguistic influences, multilingual and code-meshing strategies, and translanguaging pedagogical implications; the final of which is the focus of her capstone
Katharina Santos expects to graduate in May 2022 with her MA in English with a focus in TESOL from San Francisco State University. She currently works as a tutor at Tutoring and Academic Support Center (TASC) and the Sociology department. As a dedicated learner, Katharina enrolled in College of Alameda in 2015, where she majored in Ps; she transferred to UC Davis where she received her BA degrees in both Psychology and Linguistics, with a minor in Art History in 2019. Katharina’s love for language and culture has inspired her to learn about inclusive teaching, cross-linguistic influences, multilingual and code-meshing strategies, and translanguaging pedagogical implications; the final of which is the focus of her capstone
Olivia Vallejo is completing her MA in Linguistics and a graduate certificate in computational linguistics at San Francisco State University where she earned her BA in Linguistics. Olivia has spent time as a teaching assistant in the linguistics program at San Francisco State University, where she was able to help undergraduate students develop an understanding of various linguistic topics. Olivia is a member of The Experimental and Computational Linguistic Ensemble Lab (ECOLE) where she is able to study different linguistic phenomena that shed light on the relation between language and cognition. Her current research looks at Conceptual Metaphors and the ways they are utilized in pharmaceutical advertisements. Other linguistic interests include: syntax, corpus linguistics and semantics.
Olivia Vallejo is completing her MA in Linguistics and a graduate certificate in computational linguistics at San Francisco State University where she earned her BA in Linguistics. Olivia has spent time as a teaching assistant in the linguistics program at San Francisco State University, where she was able to help undergraduate students develop an understanding of various linguistic topics. Olivia is a member of The Experimental and Computational Linguistic Ensemble Lab (ECOLE) where she is able to study different linguistic phenomena that shed light on the relation between language and cognition. Her current research looks at Conceptual Metaphors and the ways they are utilized in pharmaceutical advertisements. Other linguistic interests include: syntax, corpus linguistics and semantics.
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