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Language & Culture


Jennie Parker

Donna Hope

Joleen Ledger

Dorothy Fonde Werts



Jennifer Brown Parker


  • MA Applied Linguistics, Georgia State University
  • MS Human Computer Interaction, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), British Council

Jennie Parker began teaching English as a second language in 2005. Since then, she has helped learners improve their language skills in a variety of contexts, including university settings, businesses, nonprofits, and private language programs. She taught in the intensive English program at Georgia Tech for eight years before joining Emory Continuing Education in 2015.  Jennie co-founded Every Voice in 2016, which specializes in removing barriers to communication, especially in multicultural settings.

Jennie has led numerous instructor training workshops and has presented at local and international TESOL conferences. She has taught English in Turkey and in Chile, the latter on a Fulbright Scholarship. Her professional interests include instructor development, intercultural communication, and pronunciation instruction. She is an active volunteer with Inspiritus and the Afghan-American Alliance of Georgia. 





Donna Hope


  • MMS Communication Disorders, Emory University School of Medicine
  • BA English, University of GA

Donna Hope is a speech-language pathologist and one of the pioneers in the area of accent reduction. She has specialized in adult speech-language since 1974. After working with adult neurological disorders for 15 years in both Chicago and Atlanta, she changed her focus to American English pronunciation. Her program, "American English Pronunciation: It's No Good Unless You're Understood" is based on her first 9 years of work with international speakers of English; it is in its second edition. The program is in use in language schools, universities, businesses, libraries, on public TV and in the practices of speech-language pathologists internationally.

Donna has also lectured internationally to SLPs, ESOL teachers and others in the area of accent reduction. Her degrees are from Emory University School of Medicine and the University of Georgia.





Joleen M Ledger


  • MS Organizational Leadership, Brenau University
  • BS Management, Finance, International Business, University of Central Florida
  • Certification for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Kennesaw State University

Joleen Ledger is both an instructor and lifelong learner, and she strives to help others excel both professionally and personally through instruction, training, or coaching.  Joleen started her teaching career in 2001 as a class facilitator and instructor for English speakers of other languages, which includes group and individual private instruction in English grammar and communication for adult and teenaged learners, as well as onsite company private instruction.

She taught abroad for a year in Brazil at Interline Language Center and in subsequent posts in Georgia at Gwinnett Technical College, gaining valuable interactive group experience for adults, as well as at two private institutions in Atlanta for four years: Edgewood Institute, Inc. and Bridge Languages (CCLS Atlanta). The diversity in content, audience, and dynamic of public and private institutions has prepared Joleen for various methodologies, learning styles, and levels.

In addition to ESL training, Joleen has also been instrumental in leading training sessions in a professional arena. She has developed and facilitated various topics including Grammar and Writing, Communication, Presentation Skills, Leading Change, Managing Difficult Conversations, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Resume Writing, Feedback and Coaching, Decision Making, Time Management, Goal-setting, Stress Management, and Process Improvement. In her current full-time role as a Talent Strategy Development Manager and Corporate Trainer, Joleen meets corporate professional learning needs by managing customer and enterprise-wide learning objectives.

Joleen earned her Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership from Brenau University in Atlanta, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Management, Finance, and International Business from the University of Central Florida. Her certification for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is from Kennesaw State University. Joleen's professional associations include TESOL International, Georgia TESOL Association, and American Society for Training and Development. Additionally, she has held a role as an Advisory Board Member of the Interactive College of Technology ESL Department.





Dorothy Fonde Werts

  • BA Romance Languages, with Honors, Emory University
  • MS Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language, Georgia State University
  • EdS Teaching English as a Second Language, Georgia State University

Dorothy Fonde Werts is a Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages. She received her Educational Specialist degree and her Master's degree in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language from Georgia State University. Her Bachelor's degree in Romance Languages is from Emory University. She retired from public school teaching with twenty-two years of experience teaching English to children and youth. She has further experience teaching English to adults in community settings and intensive English programs. She has taught refugee women in Clarkston, GA for the past five years as a volunteer. She is also a volunteer with Peace of Thread, a non-profit organization based in Clarkston, GA, which empowers refugee women by teaching them to sew, befriending them, and supporting their acclimation to their new culture. She is interested in the languages and cultures of the world. She speaks Spanish as her second language.