Terry McLean

Hello, my name is Terry McLean. I am a US Army veteran, a mom, a professional educator, and a farmer (sort of).

My educational background is also diverse as I have an undergraduate degree in business from Brenau University, a graduate degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) with a concentration in English from UNC Charlotte, and a specialist’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Phoenix. I also completed a graduate certification in world literature; what a great series of readings it was as it explored Middle Eastern and indigenous literature.

I have had the privilege to teach English to non-native English speakers from beginners to advanced learners. I have taught 3rd graders to adults in private courses, public schools, colleges, churches, and even a prison.

Despite the technological advances, one thing has not changed in teaching, on or offline: Student persistence and retention in class.

This is my 27th year in education; 23 of those years, I taught face-to-face and online. Online teaching in 2001 was quite different; I spent more time trying to reconnect with the platform than working in conversation with my students. Now, I have so many options to connect with my students online. I currently work with Bridge Education Group as the head tutor of educators who work with students around the world in a self-paced TEFL course. I also teach a 12-week course, the International Diploma for English Language Teaching (IDELT) for teachers and future teachers of English.