Tabitha Kidwell ('19 PhD) joins American University's TESOL program this fall as a professiorial lecturer in World Languages and Cultures. As a former Flagship Scholar, Kidwell earned her doctorate in Applied Linguistics and Language Education. Her research interests continue to focus on language teacher education, particularly how language teachers are prepared to teach about culture.
A former Peace Corps volunteer in Madgascar, Kidwell has taught French, Spanish, and English to students ranging from pre-schoolers to adults, and has conducted professional development for language teachers in Malaysia, India, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and the United States. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, Kidwell spent extensive time as an English Teaching Fellow at the Salatiga State Institute of Islamic Studies, Indonesia. She has also taught in Peru, France, and through Columbia University's Teachers for Teachers Program, served as a Global Mentor at the United Nations Human Rights Council's Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement in Kenya. Kidwell is a member of the Standards Professional Council for TESOL International, and a frequent presenter at regional and international TESOL conferences.
"American University's program is very well-regarded within the TESOL field, and I'm thrilled to join their faculty. I feel well prepared for the position thanks to my time at UMD. During my graduate studies, I was able to teach courses, publish research, and participate in meaningful service opportunities. I'm grateful for the experiences I've had, and excited for my next steps," says Kidwell.
More information about Dr. Tabitha Kidwell can be found on her blog.
(Photo credit: Tabitha Kidwell)