ESL/EngM Faculty
Mai Ackerman has been teaching English as a Second Language for over 17 years. She has a Master's degree in TESOL. In addition to teaching at Ventura College, she is also an adjunct instructor at Los Angeles Mission College in the credit and noncredit ESL programs. She is married and has three children. She was originally born in Vietnam and emigrated to the U.S. in 1975. In her free time, Mai enjoys reading and taking walks with her basset hound, Forrest.
Cynthia has always had a passion for traveling and learning different languages. She loves to read and learn, and teaching is second nature to her. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in Teaching in 2007 from CSU Channel Islands. She then went on to receive a Technical Writing certificate in 2008, and finally her Teaching Credential and Masters in Educational Technology and Learning from Azusa Pacific University in 2010. While raising her family, she taught in the private school sector for six years. In her free time, you might find her strolling the beach looking for sea glass, reading a book, or planning the next fun family adventure.
I have been teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language since 2011 in the United States and Thailand. I earned a B.A. degree in English with a minor in Linguistics from the University of California, Irvine and a M.A. degree in TESOL from California State University, Northridge. I have worked with students of various backgrounds and language levels. Having experienced living abroad myself, I am sensitive to the challenges of learning a new language, cultural differences, and the importance of being part of a supportive community in order to thrive. I am dedicated to academically and socially guiding the students to ensure their future success.
In addition to my passion for languages and travel, I enjoy being in nature, taking care of animals, and spending time with friends and family.
I graduated from the University of Southern California with a Master's of Arts in Teaching, TESOL. I am TESOL certified with an experience of teaching ESL since 2013. I began teaching ESL abroad as soon as I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Biology from the California State University, Channel Islands. I have taught primary, secondary, and university students from South Korea, Turkey, and Japan. I have also taught English courses to international students for The Language Academy here in the United States. Helping people achieve their academic goals makes teaching truly enjoyable and rewarding. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling to new places and meeting new people because it gives me the opportunities to learn about different cultures and lifestyles.
I earned my BA degree in Intercultural Studies because different cultures have always fascinated me. During college, I got to spend a semester in Spain and Morocco. It was amazing. But it was painful because I couldn’t talk to anyone! I decided to help others learn English so they wouldn’t have to experience the pain I felt. To become the best possible teacher, I studied and earned an MA in TESOL at Cal State LA. For many years, my dream was to teach English at a California Community College. Now it has come true!
I love to travel (and eat while I travel!), and I have been to Mexico (many, many times!), Spain, Morocco, Italy, and the Polynesian Islands. I also love to read, bike, walk, and hike with my family. Mostly, I love to teach.
I have been an ESL teacher since 2002. I began teaching English while living abroad in Barcelona, Spain. Since then, I have taught at various schools around California in Berkeley, Oakland, Santa Barbara, Valencia, Santa Clarita, Santa Paula, Oxnard, and Ventura. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Cinema from San Francisco State University and a Master's Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language and Applied Linguistics from Cal State University Northridge. I specialize in conversation, pronunciation, grammar, and academic writing. When I am not teaching, I love hiking, camping, kayaking, photography, music, reading, and dancing as much as I can!
Jennifer Kagawa has been a TESOL professional since 2005. She has taught students of a variety of educational and cultural backgrounds in the U.S. as well as in Vietnam and Mexico. She obtained a Master of Arts Degree in TESOL in June 2013 from California State University, Los Angeles. Jennifer’s teaching philosophy is that high expectations, a respectful and supportive environment, and focused feedback help students cultivate their own academic voice. She enjoys the creativity, challenge, and personality that each class brings. When she is not in class, she enjoys hiking and bird-watching.
Andrew was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California. After graduating from UCLA with a degree in history in 2003, he moved to his wife’s hometown of Sapporo, Japan. In Japan, Andrew taught English to a wide variety of learners encompassing all ages and levels. In 2017, he earned his Masters in TESOL from The New School and has been teaching at the university and community college levels ever since. Over 17 years of living and teaching abroad has helped Andrew understand and be empathetic to the many challenges second-language learners face. And, striving to ensure that students get the necessary tools for success both in and out of the classroom has always been a staple in his approach as an educator. Andrew is married, has two children and a yellow labrador retriever named Maybel. In his free time, he loves to cook, go for drives, and play games with his family.
Mia Kim Nishimura was born in South Korea. Driven by a deep passion for the English language, she taught herself English while juggling multiple jobs. Later in life, she moved to the United States in pursuit of a better future. She began her academic journey at Los Angeles City College, where she earned an A.A. in English Literature. She then continued her studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, completing a B.A. in Comparative Literature. Mia went on to earn an M.A. in TESOL and a teaching credential from California State University, Northridge. She firmly believes that healthy personal identity and economic freedom begin with access to education.
Her teaching focuses on developing students’ language abilities and learning strategies, while strengthening their critical thinking skills all within a safe and fun learning environment.
Outside teaching, she enjoys gardening and landscaping!
I always knew I wanted to be a teacher because I love helping others and learning! I began teaching Elementary school in 2018 for the Oxnard Unified School District. In 2021, I decided to go for my Masters and further my knowledge. It was a hard road but I obtained my Masters in Education from Concordia University in 2022, 1 month before the birth of my twins. While at the elementary school, I saw the hardship parents go through because of language barriers. After 5 years , I joined the ESL team at Ventura College and I could not be any happier. I also work for Ventura Adult and Continuing Education. I am currently working on my TESOL Graduate Certificate. On my free time I enjoy crafting, watching Netflix and just relaxing as much as I can.
Jessup grew up in Oregon, taught English in Japan after college, and moved to Southern California for graduate school many years ago. He holds master’s degrees in philosophy (UCLA) and TESOL (Cal State LA) and began teaching ESL at community colleges in 2012. For Jessup, helping students improve their language skills and build confidence in English is immensely rewarding. He loves to learn about languages, food, and culture both from his students and through travel as often as possible. When he’s not teaching or preparing for class, he’s possibly practicing jazz piano, playing board games, or experimenting in the kitchen.
