Chelsea Largent

I have been teaching ESL for two years now in many different environments to many different age levels but teaching adults and college students from all over the world is one of the greatest pleasures and learning experiences one could have as a teacher! I am currently finishing my MA in TESOL at New York University. I also have a MA in French Literature from NYU as well. I love to travel, cook, speak different languages,and  go on adventures whether it be exploring cities or hiking in the mountains! In my free time I really enjoy going to museums (I love the MOMA), seeing old films,  reading, writing, doing yoga, and dance of any kind! I was born in Ohio but I have lived in New York City (Brooklyn) for four years now, and I have also lived in France ( Aix-en Provence and the Alps). I am always up for a challenge, very spontaneous and excited to meet all of you! 

Alex Bortnichak

Hello! My name is Alex Bortnichak and I thoroughly enjoy teaching at Bluedata! My
favorite part about teaching, especially teaching ESL, is learning about the many vibrant
cultures and traditions of my students. Before teaching at Bluedata, I was a youth
counselor in Philadelphia, PA. It was during that time that I discovered my love for
teaching and its cathartic effect that continues to gratify me. Besides teaching, I work as
professional musician – I’m a drummer to be specific. I have had the privilege of touring
all over the world in several different bands. When I’m not teaching or playing the drums
I enjoy cooking, following politics and flying airplanes.

Philip Marshall

Hey people, how’s it going and what’s the news? I ask people these questions a lot. In part, because I’m
a graduate of San Francisco State University’s journalism program but also because I generally love to
talk about current events, near and far. In addition, I like to listen to Jazz music, play basketball and ride
my Nishiki like a mad man. I first got started teaching English in Bogota Colombia. While I was there I
learned a bit of Spanish and realized that I have as much to learn from my students about the world and
language as they have from me. I also learned how dynamic, colorful and truly fascinating the English
Language is. I look forward to discovering it further with my students at Bluedata.

Abe Darrow Burges

Hey Everyone, my name is Abraham Burgess. I was born in Columbia, SC and grew up in Atlanta, GA. I moved to NYC in 2006 to finish my undergraduate degree in Spanish Literature at Hunter College. I love teaching English because I understand how difficult it is to learn a new language as an adult - I had many great teachers in college who really challenged and encouraged me, and I hope to be that teacher to my students. In addition to studying language, I also love music, movies, photography and reading. 

Gordon Roecker

Greetings, I’m Gordon Roecker and I’ve lived, worked and studied in New York City for 8 years.  I attended New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, concentrating in Education, Philosophy and Performing Arts.  I love to read and talk about history, politics and current events and share perspectives with students from different countries and backgrounds.  I’m also a musician and songwriter, having studied jazz and performance studies at NYU and played in numerous groups as well performing solo.  I’m an avid traveler and student of language and my preferred mode of transport is the bicycle.  I’ve crossed the entire U.S. by bike and extensively  toured throughout the northeastern states.  I started teaching ESL in 2011 and I find it’s a great way to connect to people from around the globe hopefully have fun along the way.

Brenda Tidwell

My name is Brenda Tidwell and I graduated from the Univeristy of Texas at El Paso with a major in Sociology and a minor in English. I love to travel and I have travelled to many interesting countries and maybe I have been to your native country. I like to sew, design, make jevwelry and visit museums.

Calum Chamberlain

Hey everyone, how's it going? My name's Calum, and I'm originally form Michigan. I graduated with a degree in education from Western Michigan University, and have been since 2006. I've taught both here and abroad, and love traveling to different countries. I lived for four years in Japan, in both Tokyo and Saitama, and hope to end up back there in the future. In addition to teaching, I'm also an artist and do both painting and illustration in my spare time. I'm also big into music, and play several instruments. I'm looking forward to getting to know you more, and can't wait to see you in class. Cheers!

David Soler

Hello, I have two Masters from Yale University and one Master from Columbia University. Also I have years of ESL teaching experience from Brooklyn Institute of Business Technology, ASA Institute College of Advanced Technology, Brooklyn Chinese-American Association and JBC Language School. My specialization is in East Asian languages and literature, I’m especially skilled at working with Asian immigrants. I also work part-time as interpreter for various governmental organizations.

 Eric Holland

Hi, I'm Eric Holland. I'm from Boston and have lived in Taiwan and Japan as well as Honolulu before moving to Brooklyn in 2007.  I graduated from Ithaca College in New York State with Bachelors in TV/Radio and have a Masters in Media Arts from Emerson College in Boston. I have a cat named Sabbath and my bald head is good luck!

Evan A. Waite

I am originally from Pennsylvania and went to school at the College of New Jersey in Trenton.  I taught overseas at two international schools in China, living in Dalian for two years and Shenzhen for three.  Altogether, I have been teaching ESL for seven years.  Things I enjoy doing include: reading, playing sports, and seeing live music.  I recently moved to New York and am happy to be working at Blue Data.

Lisa Elias

Hi!  My name is Lisa Elias, and I am an international teacher who has been teaching English for several  years to businesspeople, students, and children.  I speak Spanish, French and Portuguese, and bits and pieces of other languages.  I hold a B.A.in Urban Affairs from HunterCollege, a Small Business Management Certificate from New YorkUniversity, and my interests includes travel, music and dance.  I have worked in public relations, media sales, and real estate.

Kendra Howard

Three years ago, after graduating from Temple University I studied in Rome, Italy and since then my life has never been the same. I traveled throughout Europe and South America and I enjoyed experiencing different cultures, but also I realized how hard it can be to live a place and not understand the language. New York City has been my home for most my life and I am always meeting people from around the globe. I have a strong desire to help them feel comfortable in this city by helping them to learn English and understand the cultural norms. I plan to use my background in communications and skills as a writer to prepare my students to communicate outside the classroom and I am excited to learn as much as I can from them.

Joseph Brandell

I began my undergraduate career at the University of Arizona, ultimately transferring to Eastern Michigan University, where I graduated with my B.A. in Cultural Anthropology, and a minor in Sociology. Upon graduation, I studied Spanish and traveled throughout Guatemala for several months. Living in a foreign country permitted me to gain insight into customs and cultures different from my own and also gave me an understanding of the challenge of not being fluent in the predominant language of a society. This latter experience has enabled me to empathize with my students’ struggles of speaking a foreign language in a foreign land, as I, too, have now had firsthand experience. In addition to teaching, I enjoy listening to music, exercising, writing, traveling, and exploring this great city of ours. I look forward to meeting you!

Marek Pena

I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from The City University of New York, Hunter College. I am currently pursuing my Master’s Degree in TESOL at the City College of New York. I have taught ESL as a volunteer with Community Impact at Columbia University, LaGuardia Community College as well as the Jacob Riis Neighborhood Settlement House. Having lived in many different places, such as Poland, London-UK, Michigan-US and New York, has allowed me to immerse myself within different cultures as well as gain experience in dealing with all types of people. As a non-native speaker of English, I have personally experienced taking the TOEFL exam. This has provided me with different strategies and techniques that students need in order to succeed on the TOEFL exam.

Martha Buckner

Martha is a former television news reporter/anchor. She's worked at several stations including ABC stations in Virginia and Maryland. In New York Martha anchored the morning news at WBLS/WLIB radio. Martha lives in Manhattan with her two cats Louie and Prada. Her home was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Reginald Greene

My name is Reggie but I usually go by Mr. Greene because it's easier for students to remember.  I am a native New Yorker but I lived in Italy for 11 years during my professional career as a football player so I speak Italian fluently. While in Italy, I also taught ESL for more than 8 years and really enjoyed the experience of guiding people towards their language goals.  I attained my BA from Siena College in Philosophy. My other ventures besides teaching are: Children's book author, stand-up comedian, recording artist, and playwriter.  I love to make learning fun so I try to make my classes very interesting to stimulate the student's curiousity to want to understand what I'm saying.

Ronald Michel

I was raised in New York for most of my childhood. I spent my secondary years in the rural southern state of Mississippi. To live two very different ideological regions gave me a very good sense of the diversity and dynamics of the USA. Upon graduating from Hunter College with a BA in Political Science and Sociology, I decided to venture out in the world to broaden my interest in cultures and governments. I decided China would be a great place to start. I loved its rich history and wonderful people so much, I stayed there longer than I had planned to teach the youth English and American Culture.

Theodore Regis

Hello everyone I am (Theodore Regis) most people call me Teddy, I have been teaching English Language learners (ELL) and regular English since 14 years. I taught in few Universities, higher education and secondary public schools starting from third grade to high school. I like meeting new students and other people around the planet. Teaching is my passion and I always try my best to make my students understand what has been lacking. 

I use the Socrates' method and I believe learning is fun especially when it implies sharing and discussion.

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Education "Educational Leadership" I want to be the best in my domain. I am a writer publisher, inventor,and a poet.

Steven Ewashchyshyn

Hello, one and all.  My name is Steven Ewashchyshyn. Originally born and raised in Recife and Corcovado in Brasil. I have a Bachelors in Communication Arts from St.John's University along with a Masters in Secondary Education/English Language Arts from CUNY Brooklyn College.  After teaching in the NYC public school system for over 16 years at the high school level, I have become a huge supporter of empowerment through education.  My main goals in the classroom are to empower students in their academic pursuits, make them 'think outside of the box' through unconventional teaching methods, have them develop confidence in their own abilities, and develop a deep respect for each other and their fellow students.  Teaching is my first passion. When not in a classroom setting, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends, as well as pursuing theater as the director of a drama troupe.