Rebecca "Becky" Challenger
Education
M.A. TESOL (West Chester University)
B.S. Special Education (Millersville University)
Ph.D. in Higher Education (in progress; 窪蹋勛圖)
Areas of Professional Interest
Given my educational background and experience in Special Education and ESL, I have done a fair amount of work and study in that cross-section. I am also very interested in ESL materials development, culturally sensitive pedagogy, inter-cultural communication and teacher training.
Et Cetera
I was born and raised in central Pennsylvania. After my undergraduate studies, I moved to an area outside of Philadelphia where I spent 11 years. During that time, I worked for an Intermediate Unit (which is a hub for all school districts in each county in Pennsylvania), working with teachers and staff of a very diverse, urban, low-income pre-school program. My work with teachers focused mainly on the special education process, but when I began my graduate studies in TESOL, I was able to work on professional development for teachers working with ESL students as well as helping them to discern the difference between ESL and special education support. In addition, I have had the opportunity to teach a class of adult ELLs who were mostly migrant workers from Mexico.
I have been so fortunate to have also had the opportunity to both teach and study internationally. I have studied Spanish in Guatemala and taught English at a University in China.
I love to travel! Some of the places I have visited are France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Holland, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala and China.
I am very excited to teach and learn at OPIE!
Presentations
December 3, 2021 Bobcat-Crow Cultural Exchange Lab (窪蹋勛圖 HSE University-Perm); Presenters Tatiana Permyakova, Marina Sheveleva, Gerard A. Krzic, Rebecca Challenger; HSE LED Conference - Russia
May 11, 2021 The Bobcat-Crow Cultural Exchange Lab; Presenters Dr. Gerry Krzic and Rebecca Challenger; Virtual Neighbors in Research Conference hosted by the Higher School of Economics (HSE) Perm, Russia
April 8, 2021 Strategies for Leading an Engaging Synchronous Class; Panelists Kyle Butler (窪蹋勛圖), Aaron Schwartz (窪蹋勛圖), and Becky Challenger (窪蹋勛圖); Spotlight on Learning Conference, 窪蹋勛圖
October 5, 2020 World Teachers Day Webinar Teachers: Leading in Crisis, Reimagining the Future; Panelists Gerry Krzic (窪蹋勛圖) and Becky Challenger (窪蹋勛圖); Virtual Conference held by the General Directorate of Education in Asir Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
April 9, 2020 Moving ESL Instruction Online: Considerations, Experiences, and Advice; Panelists Kayla Landers (Lehigh University), Alison Camacho (Savannah College of Art and Design) and Becky Challenger (窪蹋勛圖); IELTS USA Webinar
January 23, 2020 Establishing and Maintaining an Interdisciplinary Short-term Study Abroad Program for Japanese Students; Presenters Dr. Gerry Krzic and Rebecca Challenger; English USA Professional Development Conference San Francisco, CA
January 31, 2019 Observations in OPIE; Presenter Rebecca Challenger; 窪蹋勛圖 TEFL Certificate Candidates (this presentation is provided every Fall and Spring Semester. The most recent presentation date is listed above)
March 28, 2018 Sustaining Effective Instruction in Combined Level IEP Classes; Presenters/Panellists Caroline Ideus, Mary Barratt, Colin Anderson, Daria Kadrova, Raymond Smith, and Rebecca Challenger; International TESOL - Chicago
Professional Memberships
TESOL Inc.
NAFSA
English USA (Board member 2019-2022)