American Language Institute

Ting Li, Ph.D.

Curriculum Coordinator/Instructor

Email: Ting.Li@UToledo.edu

Dr. Li holds a Ph.D. degree in Educational Leadership and two Master's degrees, one in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) and the other in Educational Psychology. She works as the curriculum coordinator and instructor at the ALI. In the past 15 years, Dr. Li has been working with second language learners from over 20 countries. Under her leadership, ALI has been accredited by several most prodigious Intensive English Program (IEP) organizations such as CEA and UCIEP.  Dr. Li also serves as the academic advisor for ALI students and teaches an undergraduate First Year Experience (FYE) course to international students. Her passion is in facilitating students to achieve their academic goals, which is also where her research interests focus on. She serves as the division chair and a member of the executive board for the Mid-Western Educational Research Association (MWERA). She's an active member of AERA and TESOL Internationals. She has published multiple research articles on cross-cultural comparison of learning efficacy, ESL teaching pedagogy, etc. 

David Grajczyk

Secretary

Email: David.Grajczyk@UToledo.Edu 

David holds five master’s degrees (MS Administration, MA in Management, Human Resources Development, International Relations, Master of Business Administration (International Business)) from three universities:  Central Michigan University, Webster University and the University of Toledo.  He has served as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in the Republic of Poland (1994-1996) as a Small Business Development Advisor and in the Republic of Georgia (2016-2018) as an Individual and Organizational Development Facilitator.  He also served in the United States Navy in both an active (1984-1991) and reserve status (1991-2010).  His previous work experience includes working for the United States Department of State (Washington, DC) during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, The National Archives (St. Louis, MO) and various private-sector firms.  He has also extensively researched his family genealogy dating back to the late 1700’s.

Fatima Aldajani

Instructor

Email: Fatima.Aldajani@UToledo.edu

Fatima Aldajani, Ph.D., specializes in curriculum and Instruction with a focus on second language learners and instruction. Holding two master's degrees, one in Theology with a focus on Quranic exegesis, and another in Educational Leadership, she serves as a part-time instructor at ALI at the University of Toledo. Her background includes being a former Graduate Success Coach at The College of Graduate Studies, where she actively contributed as an equity champion and a member of the internationalization committee. Additionally, she works as an adjunct instructor at Franklin University within the College of Arts, Sciences, and Technology.

Fatima's career has been dedicated to supporting second language learners, including her prior role as an ESL bilingual teacher at Sylvania Schools. Her commitment to fostering cultural awareness and inclusivity is exemplified through her leadership of numerous professional development workshops for staff, faculty, and teachers, all geared towards promoting intercultural understanding.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Fatima derives happiness from travel, reading, and spending cherished moments with her family and two children.

Prarthana Coffin

Instructor

Email: Prarthana.Coffin@UToledo.Edu

Prarthana Coffin received a Ph.D. in Planning and Development from Aalborg University, Denmark, and an M.A. in English, concentration in ESL at The University of Toledo. She has 20 years of teaching experience. She has taught Intensive English, L2 Academic Writing, Research Methodology, and Language Policy and Planning. Her research interests focus on EFL writing instruction, EFL writing teacher education, blended learning, and problem-based learning. In addition, she also served as a scientific committee of IRSPBL 2015, 2017, and 2018 and as a reviewer of international journals, such as European Journal in Engineering Education (EJEE), International Journal of Engineering Education (IJEE), and Journal of Problem Based Learning in Higher Education (JPBLHE).

Mustapha El Asri

Instructor

Email: Mustapha.Elasri@Utoledo.Edu

Mustapha holds a Master of Education degree from the University of the People. He has been teaching English as a second language to students of all ages for ten years. Additionally, he has volunteered for three years to teach his native language, Tamazight, to both children and adults. Besides this, he has taught philosophy to high school students and helped teachers prepare and implement lessons while offering individual support to students who needed it. His experience also includes working with students who have special needs, such as those with learning disabilities and behavioral issues.

Martha Fisher

Instructor

Email: Martha.Fisher@UToledo.edu

Martha has been teaching with ALI for a while now. She has also taught English as a Second Language online to students in Asia. She graduated from The University of Toledo and earned her Master's Degree from American University while working in Washington, DC. She looks forward to seeing you in her classroom!

Bryon Kinsman

Instructor

Bryon.Kinsman@UToledo.Edu

Bryon Kinsman is an instructor at ALI who currently teaches courses in English grammar, speaking, and listening. He holds an MS. Ed from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas.  His research interests include disproportionate classifications of English language learners into special education programs as well as accessibility in assessment accommodations for students and ELLs with disabilities. He volunteers with refugee advocacy groups in the Toledo area to provide supplemental language education for young learners and assist adult learners in preparing for the USCIS Naturalization test. Bryon previously worked as an elementary and secondary English language instructor for the Incheon Metropolitan School District. With a partner, he founded a private English academy in Songdo, Incheon, South Korea, that remains open. He has also received a BA in Religion from Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan. 

Regina Weirich, M.A.

Instructor

Email: Regina.Barr@UToledo.edu

Regina Weirich holds a Bachelor's degree in French with a minor in Linguistics from Youngstown State University, a TESOL certificate from Bowling Green State University, and a Master's degree in ESL from the University of Toledo. She has been an au pair abroad, taught ESL Composition courses at UT, and taught online EFL classes for Korean business professionals. She currently teaches reading and writing courses at the ALI and at Henry Ford Community College. Regina likes to travel and learn about new languages and cultures. She hopes to pass this love of learning onto her students and aid them in their academic success. In her free time, Regina likes to play sports, cook, and read.

Ryan D. Wright, M.A.

Instructor

Email: Ryan.Wright4@UToledo.edu

Ryan D. Wright received his M.A. in Literary and Textual Studies at Bowling Green State University, M.A. in English: Concentration in ESL at The University of Toledo, and B.A. in International Leadership Studies: Concentration in European Studies at Marietta College. He has taught courses in composition, rhetoric; second language writing and communication; and literary and cultural studies. His research interests include rhetoric, composition, and literacy; international education administration; international and comparative education; education finance and policy; assessment; international and cross-cultural communication; organizational leadership and communication; and strategic communication. Wright has also served on boards and committees for several non-profit organizations, primarily assisting with budgeting, fundraising, membership engagement and retention, and strategic planning.