BITA REZAEI

President (2026–2028)

Bita Rezaei has 20 years of teaching and training experience. She holds a Master's in TESOL and Applied Linguistics, a Master's in Business Administration, a UBC EDI certificate, and a certificate in organizational coaching. A certified coach and dedicated advocate for social change and anti-oppression practices, Bita has chaired committees focused on advancing the profession through advocacy and policy. She is committed to representing the profession of teaching English as an Additional Language at all levels of government and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all BC TEAL members.

JENNIFER CUMMINS

Past President (2024–2026)

Jennifer Cummins has been a professional in the field of English language instruction since 2007. She has worked in a variety of capacities, including private, non-profit, and post-secondary institutions. She has many years of leadership experience in a variety of roles, and is a full-time faculty member at Vancouver Community College. Jennifer holds a Masters of Education and is a PhD student at Simon Fraser University in Faculty of Education. In her free time, Jennifer likes to hike, cycle, do yoga, cook, read, and spend time with her family.

GREGORY MOSKOS

First Vice President (2026–2028)

Gregory has taught English Language classes both in Canada and abroad for the last 20 years. He became a LINC instructor at S.U.C.C.E.S.S. in 2014 and later took on the role of site/program manager in 2019. His university studies in Sociology have informed him on group dynamics across various cultural, national and language backgrounds in the classroom. Apart from his career, he maintains an active life with his hobbies in both music (piano and accompanying) and DJ performance.

NAGHMEH BABAEE

Second Vice President (2026–2028)

Dr. Naghmeh Babaee serves as the BC TEAL Second Vice President and Conference Chair from 2026 to 2028. With 25 years of teaching and research experience in English language and Liberal Studies education, Naghmeh brings a deep commitment to professional excellence, collaboration, and innovation in the field. Throughout her career, she has worked in diverse educational contexts, supporting multilingual learners and contributing to curriculum development, teacher training, and applied research.

 

Naghmeh has extensive experience organizing academic and professional conferences, from initial planning and proposal review to program coordination and on-site management. She has also chaired conference sessions and facilitated professional learning events, ensuring inclusive, engaging, and well-structured experiences for presenters and participants alike.

Naghmeh believes BC TEAL plays a vital role in advancing professional standards and fostering meaningful connections among English language educators across British Columbia. She is committed to diligently supporting high-quality conferences and upholding BC TEAL’s mission with integrity, transparency, and dedication.  

SHIRENE SALAMATIAN

Secretary (2026–2028)

Shirene Salamatian is committed to ensuring a strong and thriving future for the EAL field and supporting educators within it. She has chosen to return to the board after serving as a board member from 2021-2023. She also served as a board member for the TEAL Charitable Foundation (TCF) for over 5 years.

Shirene has been an EAL educator for over 25 years, teaching primarily in settlement and vocational English classrooms. Her projects included developing national curriculum resources, contributing to ISSofBC’s Talking About Pain project, piloting BC TEAL’s Refugee Project and reviewing resources such as the Canadian Language Benchmarks, Vicarious Trauma Toolkit and Step Forward Canada. In addition, Shirene is a CLBPT assessor.

Shirene holds a TESOL Diploma and a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She has completed further studies in trauma-informed practice and immigrant and refugee mental health. Shirene currently teaches in the Pathways Department at Vancouver Community College.  

MERCEDES BUENO

Treasurer (2026–2028)

Mercedes Bueno is an EAL educator and international programs coordinator with over 20 years of experience in language education, intercultural learning, and student engagement. She is passionate about student-centred teaching and the application of positive psychology in education. Mercedes holds a Master's degree in TESOL and began her career in Argentina teaching at the elementary and secondary school levels. Since moving to Vancouver, she has worked primarily with adult learners and currently serves as an International Programs Coordinator at Langara College. Mercedes believes that education is a transformative force that empowers individuals, fosters meaningful connections, and creates opportunities for personal and professional growth.

MARCELA CINTRA

PD Chair (2026–2028)

Marcela Cintra is a freelance teacher educator, CELTA and Delta trainer and frequently volunteers for teacher associations in the hope of contributing to a developing culture among English language teachers. She has been teaching English for over 30 years. She has an MA in TESOL from the University of Nottingham. Marcela has taught courses in Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, Spain, the UK and Australia. She keeps researching and studying how feedback, meaningful interactions, and empathy may strengthen language teaching and learning. When time allows, she reads, dances or travels.

NANDA WARREN

Editor, TEAL News (2026–2028)

Nanda has taught English as an additional language for over 20 years in the U.S. and Canada. She holds an MA in International Educational Development from Teachers College, Columbia University, and is a current PhD student in Language and Literacy Education at the University of British Columbia, where she is also an affiliate at the Centre for Migration Studies. Nanda’s experience teaching adult English language learners has informed her research interest in employment-related language education and digital literacy. Her goal is to contribute to educational experiences that support meaningful career and continuing education pathways for adults with migration backgrounds.

LEILA GHODRAT JAHROMI

Digital Media Chair (2026–2028)

Leila is an educator and facilitator with a Master's degree in Education from Simon Fraser University and over 14 years of experience teaching English and designing learner-centered programs. She has worked with diverse adult learners in Canada and internationally, specializing in language instruction, employment readiness, and curriculum development. Passionate about creating engaging and inclusive learning experiences, Leila enjoys designing practical workshops that build learners' confidence, communication skills, and long-term success. In addition to her work as an educator, she creates online content focused on learning, productivity, and personal growth, connecting with a broader community of lifelong learners. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, cinema, and spending time with animals.   

MOSSY BADRI

Business Development Chair (2026–2028)

Mossy Badri is a IELTS senior operations manager and educator with over 13 years of experience in English language education, teacher training, and educational leadership across Canada, Turkey, and Iran. He holds a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature, is CELTA certified, and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in TESOL at UBC. Throughout his career, he has taught English, trained teachers, managed language education programs, and led large-scale educational operations with a strong focus on quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Passionate about supporting the English language teaching profession,  Mossy is committed to building meaningful partnerships, expanding professional opportunities, and strengthening the BC TEAL community through collaboration and innovation. 

DORSA ALAMI

Member-at-Large (2026–2028)

TAHEREH JALALI

Member-at-Large (2026–2028)

HAEBIN PAN 

Member-at-Large (2026–2028) 

Haebin Pan is a LINC instructor and a CLBPT assessor at MOSAIC. She has extensive experience teaching adult newcomers in multiple levels and specializes in digital literacy support. She teaches classes in both in-person and remote settings, focusing on practical, task-based language instruction that integrates user-friendly learning technology. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Simon Fraser University, with a minor in Education focused on learning and developmental disabilities, as well as a TESL Canada Professional Standard II certificate. She is passionate about contributing to BC TEAL and supporting initiatives that enhance accessible and effective language learning.

NILOUFAR SATTARI

Member-at-Large (2026–2028)

SHAHID ABRAR-UL-HASSAN

Member-at-Large (2026–2028)