American Language Institute

Ting Li, Ph.D.

Assistant Director, Internationalization & Specialty Programs, CISP

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 started to work at the UToledo Center for International Studies and Programs in 2015 as an ESL Curriculum Coordinator. Her other job duties incude assisting the CISP Director with internationalization efforts and Study Abroad, as well as collaboration with UToledo international partners. Under her leadership, ALI has been accredited by several of the 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. 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 International. She has published multiple research articles on cross-cultural comparison of learning efficacy, ESL teaching pedagogy, and more. 

David Grajczyk, M.S., M.A., MBA

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 in the Republic of Georgia (2016-2018) and 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, Ph.D.

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.

Mustapha El Asri, M.S.

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, M.A.

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!

Ethan Hockaday, M.A.

Instructor

Email: Ethan.Hockaday@UToledo.Edu  

Ethan Hockaday is an instructor at ALI, holding an M.A. in TESOL and Applied Linguistics from the University of Findlay. He has been teaching English as a Second Language for 4 years and has worked for universities, non-profits, and governments. His research interests include prosody and the way that theatre can affect its production on Second Language Learners.

Bryon Kinsman, M.S.

Instructor

Email: 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. 

Jordan Kirwen, M.Ed.

Instructor

Email: Jordan.Kirwen@utoledo.edu

Jordan Kirwen has been teaching at ALI since 2022, primarily teaching courses in grammar and speaking and listening. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Jordan leads the English Corner and Conversation Partners programs at ALI. These are free programs that help ALI students and other international students at UT have authentic opportunities to practice their English conversational skills with native speakers. Jordan has over 12 years of teaching experience serving students of varying ages and abilities both inside and outside the United States. His experience living abroad in China and learning Chinese helps him better serve and teach his students at ALI. Jordan has a B.S. in Intervention Specialist Education - Mild to Moderate Disabilities, a 120-hour TESOL certificate, and a M.Ed. in Teaching English Learners. 

Kerry Kirkpatrick, M. Ed.

Instructor

Email: Kerry.Kirkpatrick@UToledo.Edu

I am a TEFL Certified English Teacher with an M. Ed. In Teaching English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education from the American College of Education. I have been teaching since 2018 and have taught English to hundreds of students. I am highly skilled in all aspects of the English language including but not limited to reading, writing, listening and speaking. I care about my students, and my main priority is to help them improve their English so that they can build their confidence in and outside of the classroom.

Ronald Thomas Zallocco, Ph.D.

Instructor

Email: Ronald.Zallocco2@utoledo.edu 

Ronald Thomas Zallocco received his doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction. His research interest is the impact that international students have made in tutoring programs in the U.S. He has taught college composition for both ESL and native-speakers, tutored in ESL topics, and edited various scholarly articles. His book, Communication and Language Learning, is available in stores. Outside of work, he is a pop-culture enthusiast, especially for musical theatre and older movies.