Kevin O'Brien
Kevin O’Brien, webmaster and mentor/trainer with The Avenue Project since its launch in 2010, recently retired from the project. Kevin was one of the core five that founded what’s now the Avenue Project. He has provided expert learning technology services. Many Avenue clients will recall his excellence in solving problems and coaching instructors. New Language Solutions and the project team are very grateful for his passion and diligence.
Kevin has been a proponent of learning technologies since desktop computers first appeared in Canadian classrooms. His career evolved from being a special education teacher and teaching children to a successful career as an adult educator, teaching literacy, adult basic education, adult ESL and LINC and then training teachers in learning technologies. He was instrumental in the establishment of The Learning Centre, Ottawa’s first technology-centered storefront school in the 1990s.
Avenue’s own Jim Edgar, also retiring, had this to say:
“I have had the pleasure of working with Kevin since the early 1990s, first when we ran computer labs for ABE, LINC and ESL classes at the Ottawa Board of Education and later collaborating on projects with TESL Ontario and New Language Solutions. Kevin has always amazed me with his expertise in so many areas of technology and education. It’s been an honour being Kevin’s colleague, and I look forward to continuing our friendship post-retirement.”
Many Ontario TESL professionals know Kevin well from his voluntary work for TESL Ontario. As a committed TESL Ontario member, for 20+ years Kevin provided technology support at annual conferences and other association initiatives. Kevin has also given his time generously to other non-profit organizations in Canada and Mexico.
