Margaret van Naerssen, Ph.D.
Coordinator, Cultural & Linguistic Diversity Program
Degrees:
Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics/ Language Acquisition
(combined areas of psycholinguistics and sociolinguistics)
University of Southern California, 1981
M.S. in Portuguese, minor in Applied Linguistics
Georgetown University, 1965
B.A. in International Relations, specializing in Latin American Area Studies & International Communication
Selected Current Areas of Interest: English for Specific Purposes, Second
Language Acquisition, Teacher Training, Curriculum Development, Language
Assessment, and Forensic Linguistics.
Email: mvannaerssen@immaculata.edu
Kalala Kabongo-mianda, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor in the Cultural & Linguistic Diversity Program
Degrees:
Ph. D. Educational Linguistics, University of Pennsylvania, 1991
M.S. TESOL, University of Pennsylvania, 1986
M.S. English, National University of Zaire, 1978
B.A. English/ African Culture, National University of Zaire, 1976
Primary Affiliation and Position
Community College of Philadelphia, Assistant Professor of English/ ESL
Research Interests: Sociolinguistics, Second Language Acquisition, Instructed Second Language Learning
Email: kmianda@mail.immaculata.edu
Marcia A. Vega, M.S.
Adjunct in the Cultural & Linguistic Diversity Program
Degrees:
Masters of Science in Technology in Education- Wilkes University
Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Ed/ Early Childhood Ed.- Kutztown, PAESL Certification- Carbon-Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21
Principal Certification-presently enrolled- Penn State University- Great Valley
Additional training: SIOP training both I & II
Primary affiliation and position: ESOL Facilitator, Allentown School District
Other affiliations: DeSales University- Master’s in Education TESOL Program- Technology & English Language Learners course
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Email: vegam@allentownsd.org
Diane Rita Colom, M.A.
Adjunct in the Cultural & Linguistic Diversity Program
Degrees:
B.A. in Spanish/Secondary, Cedar Crest College, 2001
M. Ed. In English as a Second Language, Turabo University (Puerto Rico), 2005
Certifications
English, Secondary
Social Studies, Secondary, Cedar Crest College
PDE ESL Program Specialist Certificate, DeSales University
Additional training:
Reading Apprenticeship Training, 2006
PA ESL Governor’s Institute, 2004, 2005
PA ESL Governor’s Institute (for math focus), 2006
PA Coaching and Literacy Governor's Institute, 2006
Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) training
Cognitive Academic Language Learning (CALLA) training
Primary Affiliation and Position
Bethlehem Area School District, ESL Educator and Literacy Coach
Research Interests: Effective Collaboration between ESL educators and content area teachers
Email: dcolom@beth.k12.pa.us
Joseph E. Leaf, M. A.
Adjunct in the Cultural & Linguistic Diversity Program
Degrees:
Bachelor’s (B.A.) in French; Minor in English
Assumption College, 1973
Master’s (M.A.) in Teaching English as a Second Language
West Chester University, 1979
Other Graduate Study:
ESL/ Linguistics, West Chester University, 1980-1984
Thematic Teaching/ Literacy Network, University of Pennsylvania, 1983, l992, l993
Cross-Cultural Studies, University of Massachusetts, 1982
Inclusion – Special Education, Arcadia University, 2006-2007
Principalship Certificate – Penn State University Great Valley, 2006-2007
Certifications:
Principalship Certification, Penn State Great Valley, 2006-2007
PDE ESL Program Specialist Certificate K-12, 2004
Teaching Certification, Secondary English and French K-12, West Chester University, 1977-1979)
SIOP Training (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol), 2005
Primary Affiliation & Position:
Norristown Area School District (1979-Present)
English as a Second Language Coordinator (2002-Present)
Research Interests: Adapting content area studies for English Language Learners; Balancing learning to read and language learning
Email: jleaf@nasd.k12.pa.us; jandmleaf@aol.com
Deborah Dickason Falk, M.A.
Adjunct in the Cultural & Linguistic Diversity Program
Degrees:
M.A. Elementary Education, Cabrini College
A.B in Asian Studies (Japanese Literature), Cornell University, 1978
Other Graduate Study:
Guatemala Immersion Program, CCIU Educational Service Center (graduate credit), Summer 2007
Graduate courses in Asian Studies, University of Washington, 1979
Certifications
Supervisor/ Principal Certification, Widener University, 2005
PDE ESL Program Specialist Certification, 2007
Primary affiliation and position
Upper Darby School District
ESL Outreach Coordinator (1998-Present)
Email: falk@udsd.k12.pa.us