Our Staff
Education: B.A. (English), B. Ed. (Adult Education), Diploma in Adult Education (ESL), M.A. (Comparative Literature)
Ping Ping has been in the ESL field for over 20 years. Ping Ping enjoys the multi-cultural environment of Solomon College. She values the sense of community in the school and the way everyone helps each other achieve their goals.
Education: B. Mgt. (Adv. Accounting)
Ben has been working for Solomon College since January 1999. He worked for Statistics Canada and the University of Alberta before he was employed by Solomon College. He likes dealing with numbers and computers.
Education: M.Ed. TESL, TESOL Certification
Negin holds a Master of Education in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) from the University of Alberta and a TESOL certificate accredited by TESL Canada. With more than 10 years of teaching experience, she has worked with English language learners in both online and in-person settings, supporting students with diverse goals and backgrounds. She is passionate about helping adult immigrants develop the English skills they need for the workplace, everyday communication, and successful integration into Canada. Negin creates a caring, supportive, and encouraging classroom where students feel comfortable taking risks and practicing English. She believes that language learning is most effective when students feel empowered, valued, and confident in their ability to communicate.
Education: ThB, B.Sc., PPTC Certification
Upon completing his studies at University of Calgary, Merle taught Physical Sciences two years in central Alberta before moving to Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) for 3.5 years where he taught O, M and A Level Physics with Chemistry and Chemistry. Returning to Alberta, he began teaching Chemistry, Physics and Math in 1975, retiring from his full time employment in 1999 after 30 years in the classroom. That fall, he began teaching at Solomon College as a permanent part-time Chemistry and Physics high school teacher. Over the past 20 years, Merle has also taught ESL and Hotel Management when needed. Presently, he is the Physics and Math instructor in Solomon’s Aviation Program.
Education: B.S.Ed. English, M.Ed. TESL
Education: B.B.A., M.A.
Ann earned her Master of Arts (Second Language Acquisition) from Eastern Michigan University, graduating in 2002. Since then she has taught students from grades 7-12 at Chia Yang High School, where she served as an English teacher and Department Head for five years. She moved to Canada in 2007, and has taught or volunteered at ASSIST, NorQuest College, and Solomon College. In her free time, she likes spending time with her family, watching movies (mostly foreign ones) and enjoying the opportunities for exploration and culture that Edmonton has to offer.
Education: B.A., Diploma in TESL, M.A.
Vlada holds a Bachelor’s degree in English, Literature, and Translation Studies, and earned her Master’s in Applied Linguistics from the University of Alberta, where she conducted extensive research on language identity, multilingualism, and the psychology of language learners. She has taught a wide range of learners: from IELTS and CELPIP preparation to general English and English for academic purposes. Vlada brings her academic research to the classroom through fresh, hands-on methods that treat language as a tool for real communication and self-expression. She believes learning a new language is as much about finding your voice as it is about grammar and vocabulary.
Education: B.A. in English, OCELT, Career Counsellor
Lily helps newcomers build the communication skills and confidence they need to succeed in Canada. As a Career Counsellor at Solomon College, she combines over a decade of teaching experience with a background in HR and recruitment to support learners in achieving their language, career, and community goals.
She holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature and two graduate diplomas in TESL, specializing in teaching English to newcomers in Canada and Advanced Communication.
Education: B.A. English Language Teaching, M.A. TESL, Ph.D. TESL
Sibel is an English instructor with more than 10 years of experience in adult education, including LINC, ESL, ESP, and EAP programs. She holds a PhD in TESL and has worked with students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Understanding the challenges of adapting to a new culture and learning a new language, she is committed to supporting newcomers and making a meaningful impact on their lives.
Education: B.S., B.Ed., M.S, TESOL
Before joining the Solomon College team, Muhsin was a diverse, experienced educator who taught mathematics and English as a Second Language for over 20 years. He has taught at various educational institutions, including high schools, colleges, universities, and language institutions. Muhsin is passionate about diversity and multiculturalism. He promotes inclusive environments and believes in lifelong learning. His extensive experience in Canada and abroad brings a global perspective to teaching and supporting students from diverse backgrounds.
Education: B.Sc., TESL Certification
Mandana has ten years of teaching experience in Iran and Turkey, both in person and online. Additionally, she taught English to literacy students from various cultural backgrounds in Canada for a year. Mandana enjoys helping newcomers communicate effectively and giving them hope as they adjust to their new environments.
Education: M.A., M.ED. TESL
Bahareh is a passionate educator at Solomon College with a bachelor’s degree in English Translation Studies and a master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) from the University of Alberta. She also holds a TESOL certificate from Arizona State University. Bahareh combines innovative teaching methods with a deep passion for language education. Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading novels and exploring the art of baking.
Education: B.A. in English Translation; M.Ed. in TESL.
Mona earned her Master of Education in TESL from the University of Alberta. She has taught English in Canada and abroad and enjoys creating practical, interactive lessons for adult learners. She loves helping students build confidence in English and creating a welcoming classroom where everyone feels encouraged, supported, and ready to achieve their goals.
Education: CompTIA A+, DCSE, ITIL v3
Steve is the instructor for the new I.T. Service Technician Program for Newcomers at Solomon College.
He brings over 20 years of Information Technology knowledge and experience to the instructor role, combined with years of multicultural community volunteer support.
Education: B.Ed, M.Ed.TESL, Level 3 Childcare Certification
Krista (also known as Miss K) is passionate about helping adult learners achieve their educational and career goals. With more than 15 years of experience in adult education, she enjoys creating interactive, student-centred classrooms where learners feel supported, challenged, and inspired. She holds a Master of Education in TESL, a Permanent Alberta Teaching Certificate, and Level 3 Early Childhood Educator certification. She is excited to help future childcare professionals develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to succeed and secure employment in their respective field.
Education: B.A. , TESL Certification
Before joining the staff at Solomon College, Valeriya worked at an international school in Toronto, Ontario. Valeriya loves to find new ways to make language acquisition fun and practical for her students. She spends her free time with her family and she loves finding new restaurants in the city.
Education: B.A., TESL Certification, M.Ed. Candidate
Maryna has specialized in adult education and English language instruction since 2014, with extensive experience supporting English language learners, adult literacy learners, and fellow educators. She has taught across CLB levels 2–8 in face-to-face, online, and hybrid learning environments. She is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education, with a particular interest in integrating technology into language and literacy instruction to help learners develop the digital skills needed to participate confidently in an increasingly digital world. As a lifelong learner, Maryna is also studying Khmer, French and American Sign Language, experiences that continue to deepen her understanding of language learning from a learner’s perspective.
Education B.A., M.A., M.Ed.
Andrew earned his BA in Linguistics and Literature, MA in TESL, and MEd in Curriculum Studies. He has worked as an ESL/EAL/EAP instructor for more than 15 years helping adult language learners for both communicative and academic purposes. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family.
Education: B.A., M.A., TESOL Certification
Kathy has been teaching ESL and LINC classes in America, China and Canada for more than ten years. She enjoys working in multi-cultural environment with the students, and she is in helping the students integrate into the Canadian Society. She especially enjoys the diverse cultures around the world.