Dear HEIS Members,

In this issue we have our newest member of the HEIS News editing team, Amy Roither, who will now serve as our computer technology editor. Below is a bio that Amy has written of herself, and this is the bio that she gave when applying for this position. We welcome Amy to HEIS News, and we are happy to have her experience and skills to add to the newsletter that we put out four times a year. If you are interested in writing for our Computer Technology column, please submit your articles to Amy at aeroither@gmail.com.

Amy’s autobiography:

I have a M.A. in TESOL and a B.A. in English, with an emphasis in creative writing. I have been an adjunct professor of ESL for twelve years. The majority of my courses over the years have been advanced writing courses and I have extensive experience in editing writing from both undergraduate and graduate students. Before I was an adjunct, I lived in Prague and interned at Transitions magazine. My work there involved editing their marketing materials and teaching business English. In addition, in my local community, I volunteer with school programs as an editor to review grant proposals before they are submitted.

I am interested in this position for two reasons. First, I am looking for opportunities to become more involved with TESOL. I have been a presenter at several TESOL conventions as well as a proposal reviewer for the past two years. I would like to have greater responsibilities within the Interest Sections and since editing is an activity that I enjoy, this editor position seems like a good fit. Second, the technology component of this position interests me. Like many of my colleagues, I am trying to become more familiar with the rapid increases in and uses for technology in the classroom. My presentation at the 2014 TESOL convention demonstrated the ways that I have been using podcasts in my classes. So I think that I have the background to be a good editor for technology topics. I am comfortable trying new programs and ideas yet still appreciate instructions and tips that are clearly written with an eye for newcomers.

Welcome, Amy!

Best regards,

Maria Ammar

Editor of HEIS News

Maria Ammar is lecturer of English at Alfaisal University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In addition to teaching in the United States, Maria has also taught EFL in Japan and the United Arab Emirates.