GEOS BOSTON...
OUR STAFF AND TEACHERS
Welcome to the Family!
People are the heart of any organization and at GEOS Boston, we have some of the best. Well-trained, highly experienced and passionate about helping students Master the English Language, the GEOS team is dedicated to your success. Step inside our doors to find the perfect combination of excellent training and friendly comfort. Welcome to the family!ESL Program Staff
Manager | Andrew Devey, B.A. | England
An educator, a world traveler and the leader of our international staff, Andrew has a B.A. in Hospitality Management and a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education, as well as a TESOL Certificate. He has taught English at private language schools in Spain, Thailand, England, Mexico, the U.K and the U.S.A. He also served as an elementary school teacher in Spain, the U.K. For fun, Andrew plays for the Abbot Celtic Team in a Sunday Soccer League. He enjoys watching the Red Sox and Everton F.C. with a pint of Guinness.
Operations Coordinator | Zhanna Owens, B.A. | Russia
Zhanna is the unofficial “Mother” of GEOS Boston. Her warm personality and calm competence help students through even the most complicated situations. With a B.A. in English and Interpreting, she was a college Professor of English for five years before moving to the U.S.A. A teacher and administrator at GEOS for the last two years, Zhanna loves traveling and meeting new people. She is truly “in love with Boston.”
Marketing Coordinator | Pey Shye "Steffie" Lok, M.B.A., B.S. | Malaysia
Steffie left her home country five years ago to pursue higher education in the U.S. She has a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management. Steffie is a multilingual including fluency in Mandarin, Cantonese, Maly, and English with extensive cross-cultural experience, having grown up in a multi-cultural country. This makes her the perfect person to turn when GEOS students advices and guidance during their stays in Boston.
Academic Coordinator | Alan Hill, B. Ed. | England
Alan’s credentials include the TEFL Certificate from the University of Cambridge (England) and the prestigious Trinity Diploma in TESOL. He has taught English in Japan, Spain, the U.K., and Boston. Moreover, he excels at “teaching the teachers,” providing specific GEOS training and professional development for all faculty members. Alan loves soccer (or, as he calls it, “football”) and follows his hometown team, Plymouth Argyle. All of us benefit from his teaching skills and sense of humor.
Student Services Coordinator | Caitlin O'Connor, B.A. | U.S.A.
A native of Massachusetts, Caitlin joined GEOS in April 2008. She graduated with a degree in International Studies from the University of Denver, and has lived and worked in Denmark and Thailand. She enjoys traveling, swimming and going to the beach.
Summer Activity Coordinator | Jessica Hsiao, B.S. | Taiwan
Jessica came to the U.S.A. in 2002, and graduated with a degree in Marketing from the University of Massachusetts- Amherst. Jessica joined our team in April 2008. She enjoys watching movies, traveling, and learning different cultures.
ESL Program Faculty
Head Teacher | Sierra Laidman, B.A. | U.S.A.
Sierra studied physics at Bryn Mawr College, PA, and moved to Boston in 2004, where she later earned her TEFL Certificate. She has served as an educator at Boston’s Museum of Science. Sometimes Sierra leads field trips to the museum, providing an “insider’s” look at this famous institution. She enjoys teaching and learning from her students, who, in turn, appreciate her clear, organized teaching style. Sierra loves to read, cook and travel anywhere she has the opportunity. Locally, Sierra can be found exploring the outdoors on foot or by bike.
Homestay Assistant/Teacher | Katherine Donnelly, B.A. | U.S.A.
Katherine Donnelly majored in history at Smith College, Massachusetts. As an English teacher, she feels honored to help students gain English fluency and pursue their career dreams. Students report that Katherine’s relaxed style helps them feel comfortable when they speak aloud in class. Katherine enjoys exploring the city, rock-climbing, and baking bread.
Teacher | Sarah Chapple-Sokol, B.A. | U.S.A.
With her smile and personality, Sarah Chapple-Sokol brings a special joy to her classes. Sarah, a native of scenic Vermont, studied anthropology and music at Colby College, Maine. A seasoned performer, she sings regularly with the Harvard-Radcliffe Chorus and many students enjoy attending her concerts. Sarah loves speaking French and taught English in a high school in Dijon, France. She enjoys running, making people laugh and cheering for the Red Sox.
Teacher | Ross Horvitz, B.A., M.Ed. | U.S.A.
A delightful mixture of serious credentials and jolly humor, Ross has taught ESL in the U.S.A. and Japan, English, Creative Writing and Business English to international high school and college students for over a decade. Ross holds a B.A. from Framingham State College and a M.Ed. from Suffolk University. A native Bostonian, Ross often leads students on field trips to enjoy the best pizza at the traveling, learning about different cultures and rooting for the Red Sox.
Teacher | Melanie Marcus, B.A. | U.S.A.
A journalism graduate of the University of Iowa, Melanie has worked as a chicken plucker and a columnist, a dental assistant and an English Professor, an author and an executive at an international hotel company. Teaching the diverse and motivated students at GEOS Boston is her favorite job so far. Her ESL work includes instructing Asian-American teens, Somali refugees and Russian immigrants. Outside of class, Melanie enjoys world travel, songwriting and long walks in the forest with her small, crazy dog.
Teacher | Gosia Mróz, B.A., M.A. | Poland
Gosia brings a gentle elegance to the classroom. She holds a B.A. in TESOL from the University of Warsaw, Poland, an M.A. in Applied Language from the University of Westminster, England, and a TEFL Certificate. She has taught English as a Foreign Language in Poland, England and the U.S.A. Before joining the GEOS staff, she helped conduct linguistic research at world-famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Gosia enjoys directing tours for international students, exploring foreign countries, baking delicious Polish pies, hiking and ice skating
Teacher | Megan Cokely, M.A. | U.S.A.
Megan received her M.A. in International Relations. She began teaching ESL in two high schools in Salzburg, Austria and first came to GEOS Boston in 2005. After spending time abroad, she rejoined the GEOS family in July 2007. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, learning languages, and meeting people from around the world.
Teacher | Mark Heagney, B.A. | U.S.A.
Mark is the latest edition to the GEOS Boston team. He’s from Massachusetts but has lived and taught English in Japan and in California. He’s energetic and focused on giving the most to his students. He enjoys reading, music, going out to eat, skiing, and swimming, and much more
Teacher | Lisa Tobias, B.A. | U.S.A.
Lisa has a B.A. in psychology from Harvard University. She grew up in and around Bostion and loves the city. She has traveled throughout South America and is a fluent Spanish speaker. She likes music, dancing, and teaching English!
Interns
Intern | Diego Vivas V, B.S. | Colombia
Diego came directly to Boston from Bogotá where he has just graduated from the International Business Department at the Politécnico Grancolombiano University. He became an intern at GEOS in order to gain experience in an international environment. Diego lived in London, Miami and Fort Lauderdale before moving here. He enjoys traveling, watching movies and getting to know new people from other cultures.
