Meet our teachers
Bluedata teachers are native speakers who are highly qualified with rich teaching experience and are licensed by the New York State Education Department. All have at least a bachelor's degree.
Bernardo Torres
Bernardo Torres received his Bachelor of Arts in English from Queens College. He is currently working on his MA in Language and Literacy at City College. He has taught children with Autism from Pre-K to the middle school level in the New York City Department of Education. He has also taught college-level English reading and writing within a diverse and international community of students at the City University of New York at LaGuardia Community College. He enjoys travelling, photography, reading, and dancing. One of his other passions besides teaching English is doing commercial and industrial voiceovers. In addition to English, he also teaches beginner to advanced Spanish and loves learning other languages such as French, Chinese, Korean and Japanese including their cultural histories. Join him for a journey that transcends traditional learning, paralleled with free-flow immersion, embracing creativity and linguistic diversity.
Interview Video:
Carlton Johnson
Hi, my name is Carlton, but call me Carl for short. I’ve been teaching at Blue Data since mid-2018 primarily in Advance Writing and Critical Thinking.
Similar to Blue Data, I have taught ESL at a language school in Boston to young adults for a few years, focusing on beginning to intermediate skill levels covering basic grammar, conversation, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Before teaching in Boston, I’ve taught within the elementary school system in South Korea for four years and the grade levels ranged from Kindergarten to sixth grades (K-6). These were some of the best experiences I’ve ever had as a foreigner myself.
Before teaching at all, I hold a Bachelor’s degree from Drexel University (Philadelphia PA) and have worked within the construction industry as an architectural/interior drafter/designer as a consultant for various firms throughout NYC and Boston and decided to teach starting in 2009 as a tutor to elementary students and the interests grew from there. I enjoy traveling, exploring various cultures, photography, listening to jazz music and design/architecture.
Here at Blue Data, I welcome the opportunity to meet and help improve your English skills and while learning from you would be a great and ongoing benefit.
Interview Video:
Chinwe Ibeh
Chinwe Ibeh is a dedicated ESL teacher with a comprehensive background in education. Before her current role, she taught Mathematics, Language Arts, and Social Studies across several schools. She is passionate about mentoring, teaching, and guiding students to reach their fullest potential. Chinwe integrates effective teaching methodologies to ensure that her students gain the most from their learning experiences. She is committed to creating an inclusive and friendly environment, engaging with students to ensure they fully comprehend the curriculum. Chinwe believes she has to understand her learners and tailor the curriculum to meet their needs. She respects all students, values their feedback, and goes above and beyond to assist them.
Chinwe holds a Bachelor's degree in Performing Arts & Media from Bloomfield College, a Master's degree in Business Administration, and an Educational Specialist's degree from Saint Peter's University. She is certified in Vocational Arts & Theater, School Business Administration, and ESL. Recently, she earned her PhD in Education, further solidifying her expertise and dedication to the field.
Klodian Lleshi
Klodian Lleshi, with a distinguished career beginning at Tomorr Sinani High School and advancing to New York, brings over 15 years of enriching experience as an AP English teacher. Holding a degree from Alexander Giovani University in Albania, he is renowned for his innovative teaching methods and commitment to fostering a love for learning. Klodian's philosophy centers on personalized instruction and empowering students to excel academically and socially. His dedication is evident through his continuous professional development and contributions to ELTA. Embracing the motto 'Work hard, be nice, and always try to bring out the best in people,' he strives to inspire and be inspired, making every classroom moment a step towards excellence.
Interview Video:
Lisa Elias
Lisa Elias is a versatile international teacher with rich experience in teaching English to a diverse group of learners, including business professionals, students, and children. Fluent in Spanish, French, and Portuguese, she also possesses a working knowledge of several other languages, showcasing her strong linguistic abilities. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Affairs from Hunter College and a certificate in Small Business Management from New York University, reflecting her broad educational background and versatility.
Her career has spanned various fields, including public relations, media sales, and real estate, demonstrating her adaptability and skill in different professional environments. Beyond her professional life, Lisa is passionate about travel, music, and dance, interests that enrich her teaching by providing a broader cultural perspective and engaging her students in a multifaceted learning experience. Her dynamic approach to education, combined with her extensive practical experience, makes her classes both informative and transformative.
Marc Anthony Vicente
Peace and prosperity, my name is Marc-Anthony Vicente, an American teacher and author also known as Marco El Borikén. My heritage is a blend of Cuban and Puerto Rican (Boricua), enriching my life with the Spanish language. Over the years, I have had the privilege of teaching international students from diverse age groups, nationalities, and proficiency levels in New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and now, Manhattan. My mission is to invest in my students, aiming to make our association as enriching and valuable as possible. I also run a YouTube channel, expressing my satisfaction with Blue Data, which fuels my aspiration to one day achieve my dream of teaching and networking on a global scale.
Niklas Palomba
From San Francisco, Nik Palomba has taught in a number of ESL schools in a variety of places; including China, Russia, and Mexico. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing, and photography, as well as long strolls around the city.
Grace Persico
I'm happy to be teaching at Bluedata!
I attended Hunter College for graduate school, and completed a TESOL masters program in 2015. I have taught adult ESL / EFL since then. I've been lucky enough to travel quite a bit, and enjoy meeting teachers and students from all over the world.
Chinonyelum Okafor (Lina)
My name is Lina Okafor and I am 39 years old. I have a bachelor's degree from CUNY York college in anthropology in 2013 and a master's in theology and anthropology from Eastern University in 2023. I have both a TEFL and TESOL certificate in ESL.Currently I am working on a PhD and have applied to three graduate schools.
Myla Denglar
Myla is a graduate of Williams College, where she majored in English. Throughout the past few years, she has worked in a variety of different educational fields, from tutoring to helping develop curriculum for Massachusetts school districts. She is excited to now be teaching ESL at Bluedata, as she loves connecting with different people and enjoys all the conversations and laughter she’s shared with her students. Outside of teaching, Myla enjoys writing fiction, reading, and cooking!
Harold Ladino
Harold Ladino is an experienced English teacher with a rich background in both creative industries and education. After working as an art director, Harold transitioned to coaching business executives in Bogotá, Colombia, specializing in public speaking and business communication, tailoring lessons to individual needs.
Since earning his CELTA certification in 2015, Harold has taught Business English, exam preparation for TOEFL and IELTS, and developed programs for learners of all levels.
Outside the classroom, Harold enjoys salsa dancing, cycling, and volunteering, reflecting his dynamic and engaging teaching style. His diverse skills and dedication make his lessons both effective and inspiring.
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Wade Cameron (Sub Teacher)
Wade Cameron is orginally from the Island of Jamaica. He recieved his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism/Media Specializing in Radio and Television from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry New York. He has taught ESL all over the world. He has taught English In Costa Rica, Brazil and in New York. He is also a published author who has written a poetry book, children's book and a memior about his travels . His favorite food is Japanese, Korean and Jamaican. He loves writing, traveling and speaking other languages.
Programs and Tuition
Ian Kreisberg
Born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx and White Plains, Ian is a native New Yorker. His favorite thing about English is etymology — the stories behind words — and he loves to teach vocabulary. He has written a novella and several short stories. He likes to have conversations about the arts. Ian has tutored at LaGuardia Community College, and has taught in South Korea. He likes the food in both places. His favorite building in New York is Grand Central Terminal. For fun, Ian plays ukulele, juggles, and practices calligraphy. He also likes to cook.
Interview Video: