Recent News
Education
M.A. TESOL (West Chester University)
B.S. Special Education (Millersville University)
Ph.D. in Higher Education (in progress; Ohio University)
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 ELL’s 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 (Ohio University – 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 (Ohio University), Aaron Schwartz (Ohio University), and Becky Challenger (Ohio University); Spotlight on Learning Conference, Ohio University
October 5, 2020 – “World Teacher’s Day Webinar – Teachers: Leading in Crisis, Reimagining the Future”; Panelists – Gerry Krzic (Ohio University) and Becky Challenger (Ohio University); 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 (Ohio University); 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; Ohio University 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)