Meet our Faculty

Laurie Christie has been teaching English to adult learners for over 12 years at FSU and other educational centers in the Boston Metro Area. Laurie currently teaches a very popular advanced communication skill-building course at FSU called Focus on Topical Discussions, Reading, and Pronunciation. She was educated at New England College, and Bridgewater State University. One of the things Laurie loves about teaching English is getting to know people and cultures she might not otherwise experience. She also enjoys hiking, learning new languages, and reading. Her goal is to travel more.

Alan Finkel has traveled many times to Europe, Central America, and French Canada, soaking up the cultures, trying the local languages, and experiencing what it’s like to struggle to communicate. That’s why he loves teaching English as a Second Language at Framingham State. He also teaches Professional Writing (online) at FSU and is a certified teacher in Massachusetts in both History and English. 

Rebecca P. Hawk is the director of Academic English Language Programs and an instructor of advanced skills for academic and professional preparedness in the English Language Programs at Framingham State University.   Her life’s work has been in applied linguistics, international education, and policy.   She advances a global problem-solving perspective in her efforts with teachers and students in communications, English Language education, and academic preparations.  She has led several workshops and seminars for teachers on innovative teaching techniques.  Rebecca is a Doctor of law and policy candidate at Northeastern University in Boston and holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government.  She has a bachelor’s degree from Portland State University in Speech and Communications as well as a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. 

Dani Hersey holds a TEFL certificate and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in TESOL, ESL, and Bilingual Education from Lesley University. She is an experienced teacher of English to speakers of other languages, with a demonstrated history of writing, editing, and teacher training. In addition to teaching Level 2: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking & Grammar at FSU Community English Language Program, Dani is also an educational materials writer based in both Massachusetts and São Paulo, Brazil. Her background in art regularly intersects with her love for language, and she is passionate about active methodologies, STEAM, and maker-centered learning. She has written several course books, including From Dream to Reality and Learning to Be Enterprising (Macmillan Brasil), which encourage youth to discover their passions, prototype ideas, and step into entrepreneurship while developing their voice as English speakers in the global community. When she isn’t writing, studying, or making things, Dani can be found geeking out to sci-fi or Broadway musicals, hiking, or doing yoga with her cats, Spock and Persephone.

Karen Hunter has been teaching ESL for the FSU English Language Program since May, 2015. She holds a Masters of Education Degree for the Teaching of English as a Second Language from Framingham State College/University. She is a returning teacher who previously taught ESL for the Framingham State College Adult Community ESL Program while a graduate student. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts at Boston where she majored in German.

Sara Khanzadi holds a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Minnesota. Before teaching for the English Language Programs at FSU, she taught English at Massachusetts International Academy (MAIA), Georgia Tech Language Institute and at the Minnesota English Language Program (MELP) for more than twelve years. Currently, Sara works as a district-wide English language learner teacher for North Attleborough Public Schools and teaches a TOEFL preparedness course at FSU. Sara received her undergraduate degree in Spanish language and culture and worked as a simultaneous translator at the commercial office of Spain's embassy in Tehran for five years. Reading, doing yoga, cooking, and eating chocolate and ice cream are some of Sara’s favorite recreational activities. Sara also likes going on long bike rides with her family, in the summertime. 

Elizabeth Kim holds an EdM from Harvard University and BA from Wellesley College. Prior to joining the FSU English Language Programs team, Liz taught global professionals at EF Executive Language Institute, refugees and recent immigrants in community ESL programs and worked for many years in university administration. When not at FSU, Liz runs a private education counseling practice, volunteers with service organizations in Boston and Metrowest and enjoys family life with her husband, four daughters and many pets.

Alex K. Oliveira earned his MA in English as a Second Language Teaching from the University of Massachusetts Boston, where he was also a Graduate Assistant and Coordinator of Professional Training Programs in the Division of Continuing Education. He has had an extensive career in Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), as a teacher, as a program administrator, and as a materials and curriculum developer. For over 25 years, he has worked with adult learners of diverse backgrounds, both in the US and in Brazil, in settings ranging from workplace programs and community colleges to private language institutes and universities, both public and private

Catherine Pina-McPartland has more than 10 years of experience in teaching, tutoring, and mentoring students.  She has worked with people of all ages in traditional and non-traditional classrooms on-line.  She believes that schools and classrooms should be safe and caring communities for learning where students are free to speak their minds, make mistakes, and allowed to grow.  Lifelong learning is important to Catherine; she is always seeking to improve her own teaching and the experiences of her students while receiving input from colleagues and the community.  Catherine has a master’s degree in education with a certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)/Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).  She also holds two provisional teachers licenses in health, family and consumer science, and instructional technology. 

Khiran Raj teaches advanced reading, writing, and grammar courses, preparation courses for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and research, writing and presentation skills for the Transitions to the American Classroom course.  Prior to coming to FSU, Khiran spent more than a decade teaching in higher education as well as the private sector.  His linguistic research interests include how languages adapt and change over time due to language contact and bilingualism.  Khiran holds a master’s degree in Semitic and Egyptian Languages, Literature and Linguistics from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.  Khiran especially enjoys teaching at FSU because of the vibrant diversity of his students and their enthusiasm and joy in the classroom. 

Joseph Rihn has a master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from New York University. He has taught abroad in Brazil, China, and Ecuador as well as at a number of universities in the United States. In his free time, he enjoys traveling abroad and studying other languages.

Sheryl Seller holds an MA in Global Studies with a concentration in Immigration Patterns and Policy and a BA in Global Studies and Hispanic Studies, both from Brandeis University. She received her TEFL Certificate from Boston Language Institute in 2014. In addition to teaching ESL at FSU, Sheryl is the Assistant Director at the Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy at Brandeis University. Her work focuses on youth grantmaking and immigrant integration. Sheryl is also a co-chair of the Social Justice Funders Network.  

Olivia Siteman is an English instructor for the Intensive and Community English Programs. She was born and raised in Walpole, Massachusetts but now lives in Plainville, Massachusetts with her husband.  Olivia received her Bachelor's Degree in History and Foreign Languages at Roger Williams University and later received her Master's Degree in Applied Linguistics at University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Nelson Veloso has taught English as a second language for over 20 years and been a TOEFL instructor for more than 10 years, working at different English language schools in the Boston area. He has split his teaching time between Massachusetts and Braga, Portugal. He teaches TOEFL preparation and intermediate Listening and Speaking at FSU. Nelson holds a master’s degree in Foreign Language Education (English and Portuguese) and Applied Linguistics (Computer Corpora) from the University of Aveiro in Portugal. Additionally, he holds an Educator's Certificate in English from the Massachusetts Department of Education. When not teaching, Nelson enjoys football (soccer), the Celtics, a good comedy, and cooking. 

Peter Wilner is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Northeastern University. He has taught a number of different subjects, including conflict resolution and English as a Second Language (ESL), and has completed the TESOL Core Certificate Program. In addition to teaching in Framingham State University’s Community English Language Program, Peter currently teaches ESL at Milford High School. During his off-hours, Peter swims and practices yoga and, when time permits, Peter and his wife like to travel.