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: 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
Christina is passionate about teaching and has been in the classroom for her whole career, spanning over 35 years. She has taught high school English in Zimbabwe, Scotland, and Australia. She also taught student teachers how to teach English at a teacher training college for a few years before leaving Zimbabwe to teach abroad. Christina arrived in Canada in 2019 and is currently enjoying her new EAL role at Solomon College.
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., M.ED. TESL
Ali brings eight years of rich, diverse experience in teaching English as a second language. His career spans classroom instruction, curriculum development, and personalized tutoring, with a focus on fostering inclusive, engaging learning environments. He is adept at blending theory with practice, using Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) and methods like Portfolio-Based Language Assessment (PBLA) and Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) to tailor lessons to students’ needs. His teaching extends beyond just the basics—he crafts lessons that equip newcomers with the language skills they need to navigate life in Canada while nurturing a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. His extensive work with students from varied cultural backgrounds shows a deep commitment to helping learners achieve their goals, whether in academic, professional, or everyday settings.
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, a passionate educator at Solomon College, holds a bachelor’s degree in English Translation Studies and is currently pursuing a Master of TESL at the University of Alberta. With a TESOL certificate from Arizona State University, Bahareh combines innovative teaching methods with a passion for language education. Beyond the classroom, Bahareh enjoys reading novels and exploring the art of baking.
Education & Designation: B. Com, Aviation Dip, ATPL, Class 1 Flight Instructor
Lawrence has been a licensed pilot since 2006 and graduated from the University of Alberta School of Business. Having worked in both Airline and Charter Flight operations and with over 10 years experience as a Flight Instructor, Lawrence is now also the Chief Flight Instructor of Cooking Lake Aviation.
Education: B.A. Psychology
Karen graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and found herself drawn toward helping people find employment. In 2003, she started work as a Career and Employment Counsellor with at-risk youth. Since then, she has worked with many demographics helping people secure gainful and meaningful employment in Alberta. Karen considers herself a resume expert and is very familiar with how ATS (Applicant Tracking System) works. She believes that everyone deserves a good resume that they can be proud to share with employers.
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.S.W, M.Ed Adult Learning
Heather discovered her passion for teaching while working as an Oral English Instructor in China. Upon returning to Canada, she continued teaching part-time online to both children and adults. Recently, she successfully completed a Master of Education in Adult Learning and now delights in helping newcomers develop language skills in a collaborative classroom environment. She enjoys daily walks with her family.
Education: B.Ed. Spanish and ESL, TESL Certification, Graphic Design Diploma
Mark has taught English to newcomers in the LINC program for a little over two years and has volunteered teaching ESL for a few years. Mark has taught English for one year in Ecuador to a variety of age groups. While at the University of Alberta, he volunteered with SVCC
Education: B.Com., CELTA
Ashvir has over five years of experience in delivering high-quality English language instruction and managing educational programs. CELTA- certified, with expertise in curriculum development, assessment, and creating inclusive learning environments. Her experience includes leading ESL programs, developing CEFR-aligned curricula, and facilitating international collaborations in educational settings. Ashvir is currently pursuing a Master of Education in TESL at University of Alberta, with a strong commitment to fostering student success through innovative teaching methods and continuous professional development.
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.