TESOL Instructor Team

Jennifer Lawson PhD 

BIO:

  • Currently teaches in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba, Canada.
  • The originator and senior author of the Hands-On series, educational resources used by teachers across Canada.
  • One of the founders of Mission to Mexico, an organization that works with, and provides support to, schools in some of the most impoverished communities in Puerto Vallarta.
  • Certified English 1 International TESOL Instructor.
  • Former classroom teacher, resource/special education teacher, consultant, and principal.

Jennifer lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with her husband, Barry, and sons, Devon and Jeremy and is also a local School Board Trustee. She visits and teaches in Puerto Vallarta whenever possible.

Lee Rose – Online TESOL Coordinator

BIO:

  • Certified English 1 International TESOL Instructor – Level 2.
  • Currently teaching ESL/ EAL at the primary/ elementary level in a private bilingual school, Colegio Vancouver, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
  • English Tutor specializing in TOEFL – online and in-person with adults and children.
  • Taught adults internationally for many years, in Accounting, IT, and Google applications.
  • PADI Dive Master

Lee Rose, a Canadian, also lived and worked internationally in Germany, Jamaica and Grand Cayman before traveling to Puerto Vallarta to get her English 1 International TESOL Certification in 2015….. and has been in Mexico ever since!  She teaches English full-time to children in a private Bilingual School in Puerto Vallarta, and has been doing so now for 5 years. Lee has also been the Coordinator for the Accredited online TESOL Course since 2018. 

Cynthia Leigh – Jungle TESOL Course Coordinator 

BIO:

  • University of Calgary, Canada – BSSc with a specialty in Criminology
  • ESL/ EAL Teacher
  • Certified English 1 International TESOL Instructor
  • Founder/ Volunteer Director – Boca Community Education Project
  • Author – Bilingual Children’s Books in Spanish and English – Newest “The I Love You Game” available on Amazon
  • Fluent in English and Spanish

Cynthia lived in Alberta, Canada before relocating a few years ago to the small community of Boca de Tomatlan, a half hour south of Puerto Vallarta with her husband and son. She was instrumental in starting an ESL (English as a Second Language) program in the local public school when she realized the need. Boca relies on the tourism industry for their livelihood and requires people to speak English, so she also works with adults. She took the TESOL 1 International TESOL Course in 2016 and began instructing others to prepare to teach English locally or internationally in 2018. Her “Jungle Course” is an experience like no other!

Michelle Thomas – English 1 International TESOL Teacher Assessor

BIO:

  • Certified Elementary Teacher Denver, CO Public School System MEd, BBA
  • Fellowship Coordinator Denver, CO Public School System
  • Certified English 1 International TESOL Instructor
  • ESL/EAL Instructor and Tutor in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  • Developed the Online TESOL Course in 2017
  • Fluent in English and Spanish
After spending her entire life living in the Denver metro area of Colorado, Michelle moved to Puerto Vallarta full-time in 2016.  Since the move she has been providing educational consulting services to teachers and schools in both the U.S and Mexico, especially focusing on what is similar and different in the US and Mexico culture (including educational culture) and investigating how those observations can be integrated into teaching and learning around the globe.
Jon Mansell – TESOL Instructor

Jon - TESOL Instructor

BIO:
  • Graduate of the University of Saskatchewan (B.A.)
  • Teaching Certificate from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada
  • Worked in Social Services in BC for 30 years (retired)
  • Certified English 1 International TESOL Instructor
  • Extensive International Travel
Jon began his new journey in 2012 when he became one of the first TESOL graduates of the English 1 International TESOL Certificate Course.  He was hired as the head teacher at an International school in BC and remained in the position for two years. When he  accumulated enough teaching hours with international students, he returned to take his TESOL Instructor Certification.  He has taught the TESOL Certificate Course in-person, both in Mexico and BC.
Susan Gerle – CEO

BIO:

  • Graduated from Okanagan University College (HSW)
  • Worked with children with learning, language, and ability challenges in the Canadian school system before working with adults with challenges
  • College Director  – King George International College, Vancouver & Toronto, Canada
  • Academic Coordinator – KGIC, Vancouver
  • ESL Teacher – KGIC, Vancouver
  • English Teacher Coordinator – Colegio Vancouver, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  • Certified English 1 International TESOL Instructor – Level 3
  • Extensive International Travel and Teaching

Susan began teaching ESL/ EAL in Mexico in 1998 and then in Canada in 2002.  She developed the TESOL Certificate Course curriculum starting in 2005 under the guidance of a Professor of English and Education in Saskatchewan, Canada. She taught the first TESOL class in Canada in 2012.  In January 2015 she instructed the first TESOL course in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Susan also co-authored “Ingles Facil,” a publication for Spanish speakers learning English for tourism.