Alex Harchenko, President
Alexander Harchenko has over 18 years of experience in the LINC and ESL field in Canada and in the USA. He is a Member of TESL Ontario and TESOL USA. Alexander ‘s teaching career includes work for some of the leading Colleges and Universities in North America including Sheridan College in Canada and Tiffin University in the USA. In addition to his Bachelor of Political Science and International Relations, Alexander is a Certified Canadian Settlement Specialist. Mr. Harchenko brings over 10 years of Board operations experience.
Alexander Harchenko has over 18 years of experience in the LINC and ESL field in Canada and in the USA. He is a Member of TESL Ontario and TESOL USA. Alexander ‘s teaching career includes work for some of the leading Colleges and Universities in North America including Sheridan College in Canada and Tiffin University in the USA. In addition to his Bachelor of Political Science and International Relations, Alexander is a Certified Canadian Settlement Specialist. Mr. Harchenko brings over 10 years of Board operations experience.
Atika Nadaf, Affiliate Representative
Atika has an extensive background in managing LINC programs, teaching LINC, ESL and Citizenship classes, developing content for online and print media, editing, publishing, and writing. She works as the LINC Program Coordinator with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) and a Distance Education Instructor with The Centre for Education and Training (TCet).
Atika’s expertise lies in creating LINC programs from the ground up, managing budgets, providing effective leadership and support to LINC instructors, administrating PBLA, and meeting the learning needs of adult learners. She is passionate about building community partnerships and helping newcomers to integrate into Canadian society.
She holds a Master’s degree in Economics, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Journalism and Mass Communication, as well as a TESL certificate. She has successfully completed PBLA training and Post-TESL courses in Teaching Pronunciation and Advanced Grammar.
In 2005, Atika was presented with an Outstanding Service Award for her dedication and commitment to her work. She is a member of Toastmasters and is deeply committed to developing herself personally and professionally.
Atika has an extensive background in managing LINC programs, teaching LINC, ESL and Citizenship classes, developing content for online and print media, editing, publishing, and writing. She works as the LINC Program Coordinator with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) and a Distance Education Instructor with The Centre for Education and Training (TCet).
Atika’s expertise lies in creating LINC programs from the ground up, managing budgets, providing effective leadership and support to LINC instructors, administrating PBLA, and meeting the learning needs of adult learners. She is passionate about building community partnerships and helping newcomers to integrate into Canadian society.
She holds a Master’s degree in Economics, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Journalism and Mass Communication, as well as a TESL certificate. She has successfully completed PBLA training and Post-TESL courses in Teaching Pronunciation and Advanced Grammar.
In 2005, Atika was presented with an Outstanding Service Award for her dedication and commitment to her work. She is a member of Toastmasters and is deeply committed to developing herself personally and professionally.
Tasneem Ahmed, Treasurer
Tasneem Ahmed has extensive experience teaching EFL, ESL at Sheridan College and LINC at the Newcomer Center of Peel. She has a Masters degree in English Language and Literature from Pakistan and another in Language and Literacies Education from the University of Toronto. Currently serving TESL-PHE as Treasurer, she has previously served it as a member of the PD Committee and as Chair of the Communications Committee. Working in different capacities has honed multiple skills which enable her to help plan and organize successful PD events for the affiliate chapter. During her second graduate program at U of T, she developed an interest in heritage language maintenance projects in Canada. She has presented at the Multidisciplinary Approaches in Language Policy and Planning Conference.
Tasneem Ahmed has extensive experience teaching EFL, ESL at Sheridan College and LINC at the Newcomer Center of Peel. She has a Masters degree in English Language and Literature from Pakistan and another in Language and Literacies Education from the University of Toronto. Currently serving TESL-PHE as Treasurer, she has previously served it as a member of the PD Committee and as Chair of the Communications Committee. Working in different capacities has honed multiple skills which enable her to help plan and organize successful PD events for the affiliate chapter. During her second graduate program at U of T, she developed an interest in heritage language maintenance projects in Canada. She has presented at the Multidisciplinary Approaches in Language Policy and Planning Conference.
Lisa McFaul, Secretary
Lisa has been a TESL Halton/Peel Board member since 2014. She is currently the PBLA lead instructor and Benchmark 7/8 instructor for Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre. Lisa has been teaching since 2006 and has taught a wide variety of courses from TOEFL and Citizenship preparation to specialty reading and writing classes.
Lisa is a past presenter at TESL ON and TESL Halton/Peel conferences and most recently delivered the first PBLA webinar for TESL ON this past summer.
Lisa has been a TESL Halton/Peel Board member since 2014. She is currently the PBLA lead instructor and Benchmark 7/8 instructor for Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre. Lisa has been teaching since 2006 and has taught a wide variety of courses from TOEFL and Citizenship preparation to specialty reading and writing classes.
Lisa is a past presenter at TESL ON and TESL Halton/Peel conferences and most recently delivered the first PBLA webinar for TESL ON this past summer.
Valeria Shutova, Membership Secretary
Valeria teaches ESL for the Peel District School Board in ESL, English Literacy Development, as well as Careers and Canadian Civics. She has worked for various school boards as an ESL and LINC instructor. A tireless volunteer, Valeria has previously shared her time with the North York affiliate, the Newcomer Centre of Peel, the Breakfast Club, and a garden club. As Membership Secretary for the PHE affiliate, Valeria is responsible for keeping up-to-date records of our members and communicating with the executive.
Valeria teaches ESL for the Peel District School Board in ESL, English Literacy Development, as well as Careers and Canadian Civics. She has worked for various school boards as an ESL and LINC instructor. A tireless volunteer, Valeria has previously shared her time with the North York affiliate, the Newcomer Centre of Peel, the Breakfast Club, and a garden club. As Membership Secretary for the PHE affiliate, Valeria is responsible for keeping up-to-date records of our members and communicating with the executive.
Maryse Prazuch, PD Secretary
Maryse has taught ESL to learners of all levels in college, university, school board and community agency programs in the GTA and Niagara Region for over twenty-five years. She has been a faculty member at Sheridan College since 1998 and has also served as the LINC and ESL Program Coordinator. She holds a MSc. in Applied Linguistics from the University of Edinburgh and a TESL Certificate from the University of Saskatchewan. Her current areas of professional interest include CLB-based language instruction, PBLA, and blended and mobile-assisted language learning. As the Event Secretary, she looks forward to organizing enjoyable and meaningful PD and networking opportunities for our members.
Maryse has taught ESL to learners of all levels in college, university, school board and community agency programs in the GTA and Niagara Region for over twenty-five years. She has been a faculty member at Sheridan College since 1998 and has also served as the LINC and ESL Program Coordinator. She holds a MSc. in Applied Linguistics from the University of Edinburgh and a TESL Certificate from the University of Saskatchewan. Her current areas of professional interest include CLB-based language instruction, PBLA, and blended and mobile-assisted language learning. As the Event Secretary, she looks forward to organizing enjoyable and meaningful PD and networking opportunities for our members.
Communications Secretary
Kulwinder Purba, Member at Large
Kulwinder Purba has taught ESL to students ages 18+ from diverse social backgrounds. She also has experience teaching corporate students. Kulwinder has been volunteering in schools for over ten years. She has mentored students to improve their reading and writing skills. She raised funds for schools to purchase technology for classrooms that enhanced student learning experience. Kulwinder has a lifelong passion for teaching and mentoring students and she encourages her learners to continue to fulfill their full potential. Kulwinder’s second and third languages include fluency in Hindi, and Punjabi. Kulwinder Purba earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Honours) with an English Specialist from the University of Toronto. She has a certificate in accounting and TESL accreditation.
Kulwinder Purba has taught ESL to students ages 18+ from diverse social backgrounds. She also has experience teaching corporate students. Kulwinder has been volunteering in schools for over ten years. She has mentored students to improve their reading and writing skills. She raised funds for schools to purchase technology for classrooms that enhanced student learning experience. Kulwinder has a lifelong passion for teaching and mentoring students and she encourages her learners to continue to fulfill their full potential. Kulwinder’s second and third languages include fluency in Hindi, and Punjabi. Kulwinder Purba earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Honours) with an English Specialist from the University of Toronto. She has a certificate in accounting and TESL accreditation.
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Sonya Trajkova, Communications Committee
Skilled professional and ESL/LINC teacher with over 30 years experience. Dedicated to improving students’ progress each and every day, while always exceeding the curriculum. Passion for languages and always eager to implement new ways of teaching. Attended numerous workshops and symposiums in both North America and Europe, and co-authored the book “Sparklight” for Level 3 ESL Students. Graduated University with a BA in English Language and Literature. Currently holds the position of LINC Instructor for Muslim Community Services in Brampton, ON. Zakia Shaikh, Member at Large Iryna Makarevich, Member at Large |
