Faculty

Raieda Ishak, M.A. TESOL
Academic Director, English Language Programs Division

Raieda has more than fifteen years of experience as an instructor of English and a Teacher Trainer in the United States and the Middle East. She grew up speaking three languages which fostered her appreciation of languages and intercultural dynamics. She has an MA in TESOL from the University of Washington.

Nancy Garland, Ed.M.

Nancy's background is in linguistics, language and literacy.  She completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at Harvard University and has taught English in Korea, Thailand and the U.S.  She is a student of languages as well and has studied French, Arabic and Thai.

Liza Ketchum, M.Ed. TESOL

Liza is an experienced teacher of English and a professional photographer. She holds an M.Ed. in TESOL from Boston University and a degree in photography from the Art Institute. She also studied in Seoul, Korea at Ewha Women's University and taught English to students and professionals. Her experience as an ESL teacher spans more than 15 years.

Hannah Nelson, M.A. TESOL

Hannah's background in teaching includes work with both adults and children. She also worked with immigrants and refugees and as an English instructor to teachers in Chengde, China. Her MA in TESOL is from Seattle Pacific University.

Michael Posner

Michael has twenty-five years of experience teaching ESL/EFL. He has an academic background in Chinese Language and Literature and a degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Washington. He lived in Taiwan for seven years where he taught English and perfected his Mandarin. After returning to Seattle, he completed his graduate work in TESOL. He is a Senior Instructor at WAL. He has presented at TESOL, WAESOL, TRI-TESOL and the Indiana State Adult Education ESL Conference.

Additional full-time and adjunct faculty work at WAL throughout the year.