PRTESOL Western Chapter

Meet our Presenters!
Prof. Tamar Acevedo and Dr. Yazmin Méndez are ESL educators in Puerto Rico. Both teach at the secondary level and focus on developing students’ language skills and academic communication through supportive, technology-based strategies. Together, they are active in the PRTESOL Western Chapter and work to support meaningful learning experiences for their students.

Dr. Gabriel Romaguera is an assistant professor in the Department of English and Foreign Languages at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. He obtained his BA in English and MAEE from UPR Mayagüez. During his PhD at the University of Rhode Island, he refined his knowledge of popular culture and literature, and the magic of understanding and writing the stories that shape us.

Prof. Dan Franco is an educator with a background in counseling psychology and elementary education, along with certifications in English as a Second Language and Puerto Rican Sign Language interpretation. He has been teaching since 2017 and focuses on supporting students’ language development, accessibility, and well-being. Prof. Abimelec Morales Rivera is also an educator with a background in linguistics & language, committed to helping students learn and grow through meaningful classroom experiences. Together, they aim to create new engaging tools for learning.

Meet our Presenters!

Prof. Mariangelys Boria Calderón is an experienced high school educator with seven years of teaching experience. She holds a master’s degree from Cambridge College and is dedicated to fostering meaningful learning experiences that enable students to retain knowledge and apply it effectively in real-world contexts.

Kariliz M. Ortiz Fussá is a Conversational English educator at the elementary level in Bayamón, specializing in English as a Second Language education. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. Her work emphasizes meaningful language acquisition, interactive learning, and culturally responsive teaching practices.

Joseph G. Jiménez Santos, M.Ed., is a multilingual educator with over a decade of experience in bilingual, ELL, and dual language education in Puerto Rico and Massachusetts. He currently serves as Bilingual School Coordinator in Bayamón, where he leads equity-focused initiatives and has contributed to shaping Puerto Rico’s bilingual education policy. He advocates for inclusive, accessible multilingual education for all students and holds degrees in Spanish education and early childhood education, with ongoing TESOL studies.

Meet our Presenters!

Professor Gary Hammond is an ESL educator with over 20 years of experience in Puerto Rico’s Department of Education and holds a Master’s in Curriculum and Teaching ESL. He is the founder of 3G Learning Gamma, where he designs engaging, practical learning experiences through conversational courses, grammar instruction, and innovative resources. He also created the BilinguAI 2025 Summer Camp Podcast Project and integrates podcasting and interviews into his teaching to promote real-world communication, creativity, student confidence, and leadership.

Professor Gary Hammond is an ESL educator with over 20 years of experience in Puerto Rico’s Department of Education and holds a Master’s in Curriculum and Teaching ESL. He is the founder of 3G Learning Gamma, where he designs engaging, practical learning experiences through conversational courses, grammar instruction, and innovative resources. He also created the BilinguAI 2025 Summer Camp Podcast Project and integrates podcasting and interviews into his teaching to promote real-world communication, creativity, student confidence, and leadership.

Get ready to Reflect, Refine, Reimagine: Conscientious Practices for Continuous Language Learning.

🗓️ Saturday, April 11, 2026
🕗 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
📍 Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus
🕕 6 Contact Hours
✅ REGISTER NOW – link in bio or send us a DM!