Our Executive

The Executive (2025-2026)

Celine De Almeida

Past President

Celine De Almeida, (M.Ed, DELTA), has worked in several sectors of the ESL industry, including private language schools, LINC, language assessment, and teacher training in Canada and Europe for over a decade. She is an advocate for the professional development of educators and a firm believer that teachers are lifelong learners. As an active member of the TESL Toronto community, she has served on the Executive since 2020, in which she has taken on roles such as the chair of TESL Toronto’s annual spring conference, TOSCON, from 2022-2024, and as the chapter’s President from 2023-2025. This will be her third year moderating the TESL Ontario Connect Fireside Chat, and she is looking forward to facilitating another meaningful discussion. When she is not volunteering in the TESL universe, she is working as a Professor of Communications at George Brown College.

Tom Nittoly

President

Tom Nittoly works as both an ESL teacher and CELTA Tutor. He began his teaching journey in 2008, teaching ESL to students of a wide range of ages and language backgrounds in the private sector. He then went on to get his DELTA certification and became a qualified CELTA Trainer in 2014. In 2019, he completed his Master’s Degree in Applied Linguistics, where he took a special interest in the role and uses of learners’ first language in the classroom. He has presented and co-presented at TESL Ontario and TOSCON several times on topics such as Written Corrective Feedback, Teaching Pronunciation Online and Teacher Observation Feedback. What Tom enjoys most about his job are the opportunities to meet new people and learn about them and their cultures. He is grateful to play a role in peoples’ learning and loves helping them along in their journey. He also loves collaborating with his colleagues to create workshops and presentations. Outside of work and the classroom, Tom is an avid sports fan who likes to watch and play almost anything. He loves board games, hiking, rock-climbing and cottaging.

Roza Agostino

Treasurer

Passion for languages and travelling would best describe Roza. Therefore, at the age of eighteen she decided to become a language teacher. She has Master’s Degree in Linguistics and Philology. She comes with more than 10 years of experience in teaching English. At the beginning of her career, she taught English as a Foreign Language. After moving to Canada, she relaunched her career – she is currently holding OCELT and TESOL certificates and teaching English as a Second Language. Roza is trilingual. In 2021 she became a certified Russian-English, English-Russian interpreter by Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. She has taught diverse groups of students but teaching English to women from abusive relationships has become a unique experience for her since that is when she realized that learning English can have a healing power.

Elifcan ATA KIL

Administrative Officer

Elifcan Ata Kil, OCELT, has over 15 years of experience teaching English in higher education and adult learning settings in Canada and internationally. She holds an MA in Applied Linguistics from York University, where she is currently pursuing a PhD. Her research interests include language teacher education, professional development, and teacher identity. She has served on the TESL Toronto Executive Board since 2023 and co-chaired TOSCON in 2025 and 2026. She values lifelong learning and enjoys creating opportunities for teachers to connect and learn from one another. Outside of work and studies, Elifcan loves exploring the world with her family.

Plamen Kushiev

Membership Officer

Dr. Plamen Kushkiev has a doctorate in education from the University of Sheffield, UK. He is currently a professor at the School of English as a Second Language and Immigrant Education, George Brown College. Plamen has also facilitated EAL, EAP, communication, and TESL courses at Seneca Polytechnic, Centennial College, and York University.
The recipient of George Brown College’s Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Scholar Award (2024), Dr. Kushkiev currently leads the Teaching and Learning Community of Practice in ELT domain of SoTL-ESL at his home department. For over 19 years, Plamen has served in a variety of teaching, academic leadership, and communities of practice roles as university instructor, college professor, academic manager, journal editor, TESL educator, and volunteer. He maintains an active research agenda and regularly participates at national and international TESL conferences and webinars as a presenter and guest speaker.

Shirin Mojerloo

Communications Officer

Shirin Mojerloo is an experienced ESL, college, and LINC instructor with over a decade of teaching experience across Iran, Asia, and Canada. She holds Master’s degrees in TESOL and in Applied Linguistics from York University. An active member of the TESL community, Shirin has volunteered with TESL Ontario as a Webinar Moderator. Her professional interests include inclusive pedagogy, educational psychology, and teacher well-being, with a particular focus on addressing teacher burnout and promoting sustainable practices for educators and learners.

Marcel Cundari

Chapter Representative

Marcel Cundari has been teaching in the ESL industry for over 15 years. He started his career overseas teaching English in almost every format in Korea, Japan, and France. On returning to his hometown of Toronto, he transitioned from teaching to administration and has been in a leadership role in different DLI organizations for over 5 years. Marcel’s current focus is on the role of technology in language acquisition and how it can be leveraged to improve learning outcomes. He truly believes in the value that learning another language can bring and finds fulfillment in helping students reach their education and career goals.

Juliana Seriani

Giveaway Coordinator

Juliana Seriani has been an English teacher for more than 15 years and specializes in English for Academic Purposes. With a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from York University and a Master’s degree in Culture and Society from Lancaster University, Juliana believes that language and culture shape and reflect strong intercultural communication, and she strives to incorporate these concepts into the classroom. Juliana’s teaching experience includes roles as a University Writing Instructor at Toronto Metropolitan University, Wilfrid Laurier International College, York University, and Sheridan College. She has a particular interest in the use of technology in the classroom and tries to integrate the latest tech tools whenever possible.

Sara Machan

Member at Large

Sara Machan is a multi-level ESL professor at Sheridan College and a graduate of the TESOL Plus program. She holds a masters in Applied Linguistics from Mary Immaculate College through the University of Limmerick. She is passionate about gamification in the classroom and hopes to enter into teacher training and complete a PhD.

Mohsen Jazeb

Member at Large

Mohsen Jazeb is an ESL instructor and program coordinator with over 12 years of professional experience in educational settings. He has served various institutions in both Canada and Iran, demonstrating a commitment to language education and multicultural understanding. Mohsen's versatility is shown through his roles in teaching, coordinating, supervising, and counselling in language institutions and universities. As a lifelong educator, Mohsen has contributed to the success of multiple organizations through curriculum development, staff training, student assessment, and effective communication. His experience extends to the digital realm, proficient in a range of educational technologies and online teaching platforms. Mohsen holds a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics, and he is doing his second master's in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies at Carleton University.

Jason DeNicolais

Member at Large

Jason has been an English teacher for 14 years, specializing in English for Academic and Business Purposes. He has taught overseas in Japan and China and worked with York University, University of Toronto, Humber College, Toronto Metropolitan University, and Catholic Cross-Cultural Services here in the city. Toronto’s rich cultural diversity makes for exciting classes in language learning, inclusivity, and global citizenship. Outside the classroom, Jason’s professional interests include spiral curriculum development, newcomer and refugee support, and ed-tech streamlining. His aim with TESL Toronto is to learn more about the needs of the ESL community and present unique solutions from experts and idea people in the field.

Atena Attaran

Member at Large

Atena Attaran holds a PhD in English Language Education and has over a decade of experience in English language teaching, English for Academic Purposes, and post-secondary communication education. She teaches at Ontario colleges, supporting students in developing their academic writing, critical thinking, and communication skills. Her professional interests include the psychology of language learners and educators, curriculum development, and educational technology. She is committed to inclusive, student-centred teaching and to collaborating with fellow educators to enhance language learning and teaching practices.

Shelly Grimes

Member at Large

Shelly Grimes has been teaching ESL for 14 years, starting in Korea for two years and then moving home to teach in Toronto in 2014. She has taught all levels in both private and public institutions and also dabbled in language school administration. Being in the classroom with her students is one of her favourite places to be, getting to know her students and helping them build confidence in their language learning journeys. She is currently teaching at Centennial College in the ELL program and recently completed her MA in Applied Linguistics at York.

Ramla Meru

Member at Large

Ramla Meru is an EAP educator with experience teaching in postsecondary and private sector settings. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from York University and a TESOL certificate from Sheridan College. Her interests include technology-mediated practices, gamification, and material development. In her free time, she enjoys creating digital art, playing video games, and playing board games.

Saysha Mor

Member at Large

Saysha is an ESL and Adult Education Instructor with experience in science, literature, education, and languages. She completed her Bachelor of Education and her Master’s degree in English, and she also holds CELTA, TEFL, and TESOL certifications. She teaches English as a second language, Microsoft Office applications, mathematics, and college bridging courses to adult learners and newcomers. She has received a Certificate of Excellence from Champlain College (Trent University), the John Rhymes Book Award, and the Women Rising Star Award from the Asian Literary Society. An optimist at heart, she values humanity, freedom of thought, and lifelong learning, and what she enjoys most about teaching is watching learners discover how much they are capable of. Beyond the classroom, she teaches yoga, does tarot readings, and enjoys spending time in nature.

Farnaz Fassihi

Member at Large

Farnaz Fassihi is an English language educator with over 18 years of experience in ESL and EAP instruction. She currently teaches English for Academic Purposes at Seneca Polytechnic. A CELTA-certified educator and TESL Ontario conference presenter, Farnaz is passionate about innovative teaching practices, learner empowerment, and bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world communication. She is particularly interested in fostering learner agency, critical thinking, and adaptability. As a member of the TESL Toronto Board, she looks forward to contributing to the professional community, supporting fellow educators, and promoting meaningful professional development opportunities.

Recruitment for the TESL Toronto’s Executive for 2026-2027 will commence in Spring 2026. To be the first to know, make sure you are subscribed to our emails and follow us on our social media accounts.