“Peace is not unity in similarity but unity in diversity, in the comparison and conciliation of differences.”
– Mikhail Gorbachev
American English TEFL was founded under the guiding principles of integrity, collaboration, and respect.
Our guiding principles are represented in our logo by the abstract humanoid. Each dot represents the head of a different culture, with their interlinking bodies forming a matrix of connection.
The humanoids are sharing their colors to represent unity within a blended cultural community, as nurturing hands, a product of the community holds an apple representing knowledge.
Our mission is to bridge the gap of communication between linguistically and culturally diverse communities by changing perceptions of language variety globally and challenging structures that reproduce inequity within diverse communities.
We aim to do this by:
-
Combating linguistic discrimination and bias, by providing top-notch culturally responsive training to tefl teachers through our tefl certification program, American English TEFL
-
Professional development for continued culturally-responsive language teachers through plurilinguistics
-
Facilitating relationships between linguistically and culturally diverse communities through community speaking engagements and workshops
Through our work and guiding principles, we aim to help create bonds of integrity, collaboration, and respect between linguistically and culturally diverse communities.
Check out the cool things we've Done
Community Work
Speaking Engagements
Literacy and Language in Action (2019)
MABE Conference, Presenter
GRPS Literacy Summit (2021)
GRPS Conference, Presenter
Prioritizing Equity & Recovery for All (2021)
MiTESOL Conference, Presenter
Building Community Bridges Through Language Awareness (2021)
Grand Rapids Food Co-Op, Presenter
Culturally Responsive Language Teaching (2022)
Baxter Community Center, Presenter
Where I'm From
Written by Tea Sanders
I am from, a refusal to be quiet.
I am from, a refusal to remain unseen.
I am from I am who I choose to be.
I am from, my reality is just as valid.
I’m from, my feelings matter too.
I’m from, my confidence shouldn’t offend you.
I’m from my mistakes do not define me,
From neither can you.
Founder/CEO
Language and Culture Specialist
Meet the Team
Tea Sanders is an American, and USA teacher that has taught adult ESL and young ESL students for 6 years. She has taught in private bilingual schools, ESL after-school programs, and in American public and Charter Schools with linguistically and culturally diverse populations.
She is a language and culture aficionado that has traveled to over 18 countries, lived abroad in Europe for 2 years and has spent time learning 5 languages.
Tea is currently studying applied linguistics, and working to define the language of liberation, as she continues to educate bi-dialectical elementary students, and emerging bilinguals, raise awareness of linguistic discrimination, and strive to be the change she wants to see.
Ashely McDermott is an artist who loves to sing and dance. She teaches students how to choreography in American Sign Language. Ashely want to learn more about business and entrepreneurship to gain skills that she can transfer to her non-profit business called VisionaryImpossiblePeople. She hopes to build it into an empire for deaf or American Sign Language community where they can have jobs or places to call family. She is optimistic and very passionate what she does.
Social Media