The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast
an ELT podcast
A PODCAST IS BORN
Anna Ciriani-Dean and Shey Riel, creators of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, met in NYC in 2018, bonding over a love for professional development and wine. Their podcast aims to broaden the discussion on TESOL/TEFL, international education, and intercultural communication. The goal is to provide English language teachers a reflective listening experience, sharing ideas and perspectives in a fun, conversational format. Educators worldwide are invited to join this community of practice, contributing anecdotes and questions.
ANNA CIRIANI-DEAN
Anna holds an M.A. in Applied Linguistics and has worked in language education since 2009. She is currently the Learning & Development Manager for English Language Programs, where she creates online learning experiences on a wide variety of TESOL topics for English language education professionals participating in U.S. State Department exchange programs.
Prior to this position, Anna served as an English Language Fellow to Armenia and Ukraine and worked as an ESL instructor, assessment specialist, writing-center consultant, and program manager at various universities and educational companies around the Seattle and Greater New York City Area.
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Her goal as an educator is to empower learners by giving them agency in their learning process and providing them with the tools they need to excel in their academic, professional, and personal lives. Her research interests include teacher development, second language writing, antiracist pedagogy, and educational technology.
She is a native bilingual speaker of English and Italian and an avid language learner, with proficiency in French, German, and Hindi. To start a conversation, talk to her about ballet, sea kayaking, books, travel, tea, grammar, and cats!
Connect with her on LinkedIn.
SHÉLYNN RIEL
Shélynn (Shey) Riel holds a Master of Education in TESOL, and has been working with English learners for over fifteen years, specializing in adult education. Currently, Shey works with Bridge Education as the Expert Series Webinar Moderator, facilitating live monthly webinars that bring together ELT experts to share insights and perspectives on the latest English language learning techniques and technologies.
Throughout her career, Shey has held positions of leadership in curriculum development and program administration at universities and non-profits in the U.S., served as a facilitator for various digital exchanges for global English teachers, and delivered professional development to teachers on the ground in Argentina and Bangladesh.
As an educator, Shey believes in a holistic approach, striving to create balanced environments conducive to learning and reflection that are both challenging and nurturing of the whole being. Her current research interests include reflective professional learning, decolonial ethics in the language classroom, global citizenship education, and cross-cultural communication.
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In her spare time, Shey enjoys slow travel, practicing yoga, and studying languages (current challenge: Mandarin!).
Connect with her on LinkedIn.