Learning Outcomes

Outcome 1: M.Ed. in TESOL, Literacy, and Culture students will demonstrate content knowledge specific to their areas of study.

Outcome 2: M.Ed. in TESOL, Literacy, and Culture students will apply learning theories and relate the application of the theories to specific sociocultural contexts.

Outcome 3: M.Ed. in TESOL, Literacy, and Culture students will apply appropriate pedagogical approaches in specific learning environments.

Outcome 4: M.Ed. in TESOL, Literacy, and Culture students will apply the research and analysis tools for thinking about and investigating educational questions through research.

Outcome 5: M.Ed. in TESOL, Literacy, and Culture students will demonstrate growth in ethical behavior, positive values, and inclusive and respectful approach to diversity. Candidates will reflect on and gain an understanding of how to support the development of diverse learners through their curricular and instructional decisions.

Our Students

Students in the M.Ed. in TESOL, Literacy and Culture include current and aspiring teachers from all over the world. Some of our students have already taught English to speakers of other languages, while others are seeking to enter the profession. Read on for profiles of our students and information on alumni outcomes.

Alumni Outcomes

Graduates of this program go on to teach English to speakers of other languages in English language academies, community colleges and other adult education settings in the U.S. and abroad. Some alumni continue on to earn doctorate degrees in TESOL. Our graduates have gone on to teach a variety of countries including:

• Japan
• Brazil
• Italy
• Kuwait
• Panama
• Korea

Alumni Job Placements

Jedediah Adler is is working at the International School of Macaé, Rio de Janero, Brazil. After overcoming many bureaucratic difficulties, Jed started the first organized youth baseball team in Rio de Janiero.

Cynthia Alflatt is a 3rd grade teacher at America's Finest Charter School (AFCS) in San Diego.

Hyun Jung Joo has taught in Korea for some time and now has been accepted to a PhD in Linguistics in Ohio State University.

Alissa Aysha is working in Kuwait in the area of Curriculum Design and Assessment.

Francisco Herrera is a community college and language instructor and is in a PhD program in Linguistics.

Ery Millan-Coffey is an instructor at California Baptist University and La Sierra University in Riverside.

Edoho Awaih is a resource teacher at Valle Lindo Elementary School.

Elizabeth Catesby Massey is an ESL instructor at North Virginia Community College in Annandale, VA.

Brett Banducci is a 9th and 10th grade World History Teacher at the International School of Panama and has presented in Panama's TESOL conference.

Jae Shin works at the Education First (EF) Language School.

Lori Autenrieb works with 6th-12th graders at Guajome Park Academic Charter School.

Rachel Herrera has spent the last two years working in the adult ESL program for the Los Angeles Unified School District. After being employed only four months, she was chosen from among her peers to teach a special course at California State University, Dominguez Hills. There, she taught multi-level ESL and Computer Literacy classes to groups of international students from Latin America who are chosen to be part of the SEED program housed at the university. She is currently an ESL instructor at the International English Academy in Redondo Beach.

Rhonda Brown is an ELD instructor at Parkway Middle School and teaches Spanish at San Diego Christian College.

Jasmine Williams is an English Montessori Teacher with the Latin American Montessori Bilingual (LAMB) Public Charter School in Washington, DC.

Read a feature story of some of our TESOL students and alumni.

Employer Perspective

"As the Academic Coordinator of the English Language Academy, a rigorous English language program at USD, I am always looking for outstanding instructors. Fortunately, I haven't had to look farther than the graduates of the Masters Program in Culture, Literacy, and TESOL. Currently, three of the 12 instructors on staff at the English Language Academy are graduates of this program; and in our summer program, over half of the instructors are SOLES graduates. The program's dual focus on theory and practical teaching skills has produced professionals with the passion and knowledge to make a real difference in the lives of our students."

- Deborah Sundmacher, Academic Coordinator, USD English Language Academy