CC-BY-NC-SA 2025 New Language Solutions Avenue Program Standards for Technology-Enhanced Language Learning, version 1.2 Personal Profile: Kerry Howard’s career in English language teaching has been defined by adaptability, innovation, and a drive to support newcomers in their adjustment to life in Canada. From his first experiences teaching overseas to his current leadership role at The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) in Calgary, his path reflects both personal growth and the broader evolution of language education in a rapidly changing world. After completing a Bachelor of Linguistics and English Literature at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Kerry first considered a career in speech pathology. Instead, his professional journey began abroad, teaching at Janghak English Academy in South Korea. For five years, he worked with middle and high school students preparing for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a standardized exam that measures the ability of non-native speakers to use and understand English at the university level. These years proved to be a pivotal transition, confirming his passion for teaching and introducing him to administration as he took on staff hiring and training responsibilities. This combination of classroom and leadership experience inspired him to pursue a Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) from the University of Birmingham in the UK, which he began while still in Korea. Kerry returned to Canada in 2011, first spending time in Halifax to complete his thesis. In early 2012, he relocated to Calgary in search of job opportunities. Soon after arriving, he interviewed successfully for an opening at TIES as a LINC instructor. For the next five years, he dedicated himself to supporting adult learners through Canada’s federally funded LINC language program, building strong connections with students and colleagues alike. His commitment and leadership abilities led him into a supervisory role, and in 2021, he was appointed LINC Program Manager. In this role, Kerry works with fellow managers Jana Ciobanu and Whitney Loewen to deliver a wide range of LINC classes. Morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend programs meet the diverse needs of Calgary’s newcomers. Kerry’s leadership was particularly important through the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. What began with an abrupt end to in-classroom language learning quickly transitioned into fully online learning, with staff and students adapting to new technologies almost overnight. Since then, Kerry has been at the forefront of refining hybrid and online learning approaches to ensure they remain effective and accessible. Kerry’s professional journey mirrors the transformational changes in the TESL field itself. The pandemic, rapid technological innovation, and the rising demand for immigrant language training have reshaped both the challenges and opportunities facing educators. As TIES continues to expand its reach and adapt to new realities—including the integration of emerging tools such as artificial intelligence – Kerry’s career stands as a testament to the need for resilience and innovation in meeting the need for effective language education in supporting successful newcomer settlement. In Kerry’s Own Words: Necessity Drives Innovation In my years as a LINC instructor and program manager at TIES, one pressing need after another has driven us out of our comfort zone into unfamiliar territory. When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, most of us didn’t have time even to gather our personal files or grab one of the few laptops available before schools closed. For the first week or so, teachers were calling students one by one to conduct 15-minute mini-lessons. 34
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