SHARON TORKELSON
Summary
Professional development specialist with proven track record in creating impactful training programs. Known for commitment to team collaboration and consistently achieving measurable results. Highly adaptable and skilled in needs assessment, instructional design, and coaching, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
English Language Fellow
United States Department of State
Vientiane, Laos
06.2024 - Current
- Selected as a professional exchange participant for the U.S. Department of State
- Strengthen teacher capacity at national universities and teacher training colleges through professional training, classroom demonstrations and observations
- Collaborate with U.S. Embassy staff to ensure targeted English program planning, design and implementation
- Design and deliver professional development conference presentations for international audiences
- Select, train and mentor English teachers applying for international exchange programs including Fulbright English Teaching Assistants
- Develop detailed, learner-centered lesson plans for English learners
English Instructor
Brevard Public Schools Adult Education
Melbourne, Florida
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Taught English for special purposes (ESP) focused on job skills.
- Adapted curriculum to meet the needs of diverse adult learners with varying levels of English proficiency
English Education Specialist
Peace Corps Response
Bogota, Colombia
04.2022 - 04.2023
- Collaborated and supported national and local ministries of education through teacher training, professional development, and on-site teaching demonstrations
- Trained Peace Corps volunteers and English teachers in best practices and strategies for acquisition driven language instruction
- Developed in person and remote teacher training sessions using PowerPoint, Genially, Zoom and Microsoft Teams
- Established and supported WhatsApp professional learning communities for teachers and volunteers
- English specialist and language coach for ECO Radio 2.0, an English education program broadcast on more than 150 radio stations throughout Colombia
Director of World Languages
Viera Charter School
Viera, Florida
08.2019 - 04.2022
- Team lead and professional development coordinator for six foreign language teachers
- 2021 Most Valuable Teacher Award Florida Foreign Language Association
- Initiated department transition to acquisition-based instruction and curriculum
- Successfully transitioned from traditional instruction to virtual online learning platform including synchronous and asynchronous lessons to meet the changing needs of learners
ESL Specialist
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy
Melbourne, Florida
08.2009 - 06.2018
- Developed results-driven learning strategies and curriculum for English language learners
- Initiated, evaluated, and monitored plans to increase English proficiency and mastery of learning standards for international exchange students
- Provided guidance and professional development training in best practices for student engagement and achievement with English language learners
- Demonstrated student achievement and learning gains on PSAT, with average percentile gains of 13 points in writing and 10 points in reading
Director of Upper School Admissions
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy
Melbourne, Florida
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Managed 200+ annual admissions applications and decisions for students in grades 7-12
- Evaluated student applicants’ credentials for admission and communicated admission decisions to parents
- Communicated with 200+ applicants annually through heavy phone outreach, email, and face-to-face appointments, resulting in full enrollment
- Initiated conversion to online application process resulting in additional revenue and a more streamlined admission process
- Collaborated with Advancement and Marketing departments to promote and increase brand awareness through social media, web search engines and print advertising
- Analyzed and monitored data to provide guidance for need-based tuition assistance
Spanish Language Teacher
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy
Melbourne, Florida
01.2009 - 01.2015
- Designed and implemented engaging Spanish language curriculum for grades 9–12, focusing on speaking, listening, reading, and writing proficiency aligned with ACTFL standards
- Fostered a dynamic and inclusive classroom environment that encouraged cultural appreciation and real-world language application
- Integrated technology, including language learning apps and virtual exchanges, to enhance student engagement and immersion
Education
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
University of West Florida
Pensacola, FloridaTeacher Certification - Foreign Language Education
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GeorgiaBachelor of Arts - Journalism
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GeorgiaSkills
- Teacher Training
- Team Development
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language
- Public Speaking
- Presentation Design
- Educational Leadership
- AI Instructional Integration
Certification
- Florida Professional Educator License
- Certifications: English (6-12), ESOL, Reading, Spanish (K-12), Educational Leadership
LANGUAGES
English - Native
Spanish - Proficient
Lao - Beginner
Timeline
English Language Fellow
United States Department of State
06.2024 - Current
English Instructor
Brevard Public Schools Adult Education
01.2023 - 01.2024
English Education Specialist
Peace Corps Response
04.2022 - 04.2023
Director of World Languages
Viera Charter School
08.2019 - 04.2022
Director of Upper School Admissions
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy
01.2015 - 01.2017
ESL Specialist
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy
08.2009 - 06.2018
Spanish Language Teacher
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy
01.2009 - 01.2015
Teacher Certification - Foreign Language Education
Kennesaw State University
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Georgia State University
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
University of West Florida
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS & WORKSHOPS
- LaoTESOL International Conference 2026
- Managed end-to-end academic programming and logistics for a team of American English educators
- Oversee solicitation, screening, and selection of abstracts for presentation
- Recruit industry experts and travel logistics for speakers
- Conference Presentations: Low Prep/Low Stress Strategies to Ignite Student Engagement, Adventures in Advertising for English Language Learners
- LaoTESOL International Conference2025
- Keynote Speaker: Engaging Language Learners through Comprehensible Input
- American Center - Vientiane, Laos
- Workshop Facilitator (2024-2026)
- -The Power of First Impressions: Interview Skills and Resume Workshop
- -Developing a Leadership Mindset
- -Preparing for IELTS and TOEFL
- ThaiTESOL International Conference 2025
- Plenary Speaker: The Power of Storytelling in Language Learning
- Tien Giang University, My Tho, Vietnam Teacher Professional Development 2025
- Presenter: Using AI to Promote Conversational Fluency
- Polk County Public Schools 2023 World Language Teacher Symposium
- Presenter: Calming the Chaos - Classroom Management in a CI Environment
- Bilingualism Symposium for Rural Schools in Bogotá School District 2023
- Keynote Speaker: 10 No Prep/Low Prep Strategies to Foster Conversational Proficiency
- Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 2022
- Webinar Host: Engaging Language Learners through Storytelling and Comprehensible Input
- Florida Foreign Language Association 2021
- Plenary Speaker - Breaking Up with your Textbook
- Voted Best in Conference
TRAINING / COURSES
- TESOL International Training of Trainers
- U.S. Department of State- 2024 Specialist Master Class Emerging Tech in ELT
- U.S. Department of State English Language Programs - Training for Trainers
- CI Summit - Acquisition Driven Instruction for Trainers