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Thank you for taking the time for this interview, Nancy! For those that don’t have the pleasure of knowing you, tell them a little about yourself.

Thanks, Nicola.

I’ve been involved in the LINC and ESL sectors since 2010, and started working as a consultant with New Language Solutions in 2011. New Language Solutions is a non-profit that is funded federally by IRCC and in Ontario by MLITSD.  We develop, teach, and support the English language learning sector through Avenue.ca and the LearnIT2teach platforms. NLS also develops and hosts the open-access CanAvenue.ca platform.

I have just moved into the role of Manager of Distributed Learning for NLS. I have also worked for Sheridan College for more than 15 years—teaching a partial load in the Applied Computing and Business departments.  Continue Reading →

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Your blog post, Why We Need to Keep Our ESL Departments Open, struck a chord with many people. How has this situation affected you? What can people do?

How has the closure affected me? Well, I’m sad because I love the school and I love teaching EAP. There are few jobs as gratifying as this one, where you get to work with students from all over the world and can genuinely see the difference you make to their lives.

And I feel sick for my colleagues. Some permanent instructors successfully filed grievances and were able to transfer to the Communications department. But remember that they are leaving the field that they love and have built their careers on.  Continue Reading →

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The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) presented you with the 2021 Anti-Racist and Equity Activism Award. Talk to us about this special moment in your life.

This was such an incredible and humbling moment in my life! I have always been incredibly passionate about equitable education and to receive this award from ETFO; fellow educators was really affirming. I have always been interested in bringing equity theory to practice in tangible, relevant, contextual and accessible ways for students, educators, families and other stakeholders and so to be recognized for doing this work and some of its impact was really exciting and an honour.

One of the things this award recognized was the newsletter I had created around equity topics and book recommendations.  Continue Reading →

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Who is Anna Bartosik?
Hahahaha!

Let’s start with how I introduce myself now. I’ve been saying my name in Polish since December and my identity is tied to my name. It has taken me a long time to stop making it easier for English speakers to say my name.

If you look at my email signature, you’ll know how to pronounce my name, my pronouns in the order of languages I am comfortable speaking (she/ona/elle), and my degrees.

I don’t know which identity I should highlight; I suppose language teacher because of the content of this interview. We can add professional details as well, such as: instructional designer, facilitator, researcher. These details don’t often help,  Continue Reading →