Chelsea Wilson (Canada) – AP English

Chelsea Wilson is in her ninth year of teaching. Chelsea started her teaching career at the American School of Kuwait where she taught 9th Grade, 11th Grade, AP Language and Composition, and Philosophy over the course of five years. Just prior to coming to NCPA, she taught 9th-12th grade English, including AP Language and AP Literature, and was the college counselor at the American International School of Bamako, Mali. She has worked with student councils and other student leadership organizations. An Ontario native who lived in Colorado for a number of years before moving overseas, she is licensed to teach in both Canada and the United States.

Chelsea Wilson's partner, Matt Kelsey, is the NCPA Technology Integrator.

Education:

Bachelor of Arts (English), Colorado College
Master of Science (Exceptional Education), University of Northern Colorado

Collin Peterson V-K (USA) - English 10

Collin Peterson-vanKanegan’s love for teaching began when he worked as a sailing instructor during college. This is his third year of teaching high school English Language Arts, and his first year of teaching internationally. Prior to starting at NCPA, Collin taught 9th and 11thgrade at West Linn High School, just outside of Portland, Oregon. Before earning his Master of Arts in Teaching from Lewis and Clark College, he worked for several years as a para-educator in a school that served students with severe social and emotional special needs. Teaching internationally has been one of Collin’s goals for years, and he is excited to be starting this part of his career at NCPA.

Education:

M.A. (Teaching English Language Arts), Lewis and Clark College
B.S. (Literature and Creative Writing), The Evergreen State College

Emily Roberts（USA）- English 11

Emily Roberts has been teaching English for the past 4 years in the city of Chicago and the surrounding areas. While working in the Chicago Public Schools, Ms. Roberts taught in a diverse middle school environment, with students coming from all parts of the world, speaking fifty-two different languages . She worked specifically with ELL students helping them to improve in both reading and writing. She also spent two years working with 9th grade Honors English students as well.

Education: 
Bachelor of Science, (Social Sciences Education), Illinois State University

Ezana Negash (USA) – English 10

Ezana Nagash spent 9 years as a 6th and 8th Grade Literacy teacher at South Middle School in Aurora, CO and worked almost exclusively with linguistically diverse learners (80 percent English Language Learners). For part of his time in Aurora, he worked at the local special education cooperative where the population could be considered reluctant or at risk learners. He was a member of the Curriculum & Instruction Literacy Advisory Group (CILAG) writing curriculum aligned to Common Core Standards.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts (Humanities), Fort Lewis College
Master of Education (Secondary English Education), Regis University

Katrina Elsen (USA) - Drama

Katrina Elsen is celebrating her first year teaching at NCPA. Prior to teaching, she worked for professional theatres in Minnesota and Wisconsin as a Costume Designer and Costume Shop Manager. Katrina studied Fringe Theatre in London, England, Theatre Performance at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Ireland, and graduated cum laude with her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Katrina Elsen’s partner, Greg Elsen, teaches for the NCPA Social Studies Department.

Education:

B.A. (Theatre Performance, Minor: Spanish, Gender Studies), Lawrence University

Lidiya Reese (USA) - English 9/11

Lidiya Reese is in her third year of teaching. After graduating from Eastern Michigan University, she moved to Yuma, Arizona, where she taught 11th grade English along with conversation, listening, and grammar for English language learners. This is her first experience teaching abroad and is very thrilled to be at NCPA.

Education:

Bachelor of Science (Secondary education with a focus in language, literature and writing) and Minor in TESOL, Eastern Michigan University

Maria Thomas (USA) - English 9

Maria Thomas has been teaching English for fourteen years. She gained most of her experience in New York City public schools, working in middle and high schools with a diverse community of learners. Maria’s experience with international education began in 2013 when she moved from Brooklyn to Beijing. For two years, she worked at the international campus of Beijing No.4 High School where she taught Honors and AP English and also served as a student advisor.

Education:
Bachelor of Art (English Literature), Brooklyn College, City College of New York
Master of Arts, Brooklyn College, City College of New York 
Master of TESOL, the New School in New York City