MCAEL Advisory Group Spotlight: Paul Bermingham

January 10, 2022

Tell us a little about yourself and what was your entry point into Adult ESOL

I was born in Ireland, where I qualified as a high-school teacher in 1978. A few years later, I became a member of a team appointed to train accountants in Lesotho, a small country in southern Africa that had recently become independent. For the next two years, I would teach accounting and other subjects in a country where, despite being known internationally as anglophone, English is very much a second-language.


My time in Lesotho was the start of what turned out to be a thirty-year career in development. Much of this was with the World Bank, which is how I came to Washington in 1994. While not working directly on education during these years, I always retained an involvement, and served as a board member of the Rabat American School in Morocco and the Overseas School of Colombo in Sri Lanka when posted to each country. 


Soon after I retired, I had the opportunity to teach ESOL as a volunteer at the Briggs Center for Faith and Action in Bethesda. Now in my fifth year, I enjoy it thoroughly.


Where are you now teaching (at what levels and for which organizations)?

I presently teach a Beginner – High class of ten students. We have four hours of on-line classes each week. I earlier taught at Intermediate – High level for two years. I am also part of a team at Briggs that provides individual support to recent arrivals and refugees, and I am presently teaching two members of an Afghan family that arrived following the US withdrawal in August of 2021. 


What unexpected successes or previously unknown capabilities have you and the learners you serve experienced during the pandemic?

I miss in-person teaching. On the other hand, on-line teaching has forced me to make more, and smarter, use of IT. I’ve been surprised by the wealth of resources available not just to help me to teach, but, more importantly, to help learners to learn. All members of my Beginner class are comfortable with Zoom, our WhatsApp Group, and e-mail. I see great potential for us to make better use of IT to improve the learning experience. 


What role do you play in MAG?

I am presently the chair of the MAG, and serve on the Spring Conference and Learner Leadership committees.


What do you find most rewarding about your work?

I spent half of my professional life working in diverse countries around the world. For much of this time, I was the “new arrival” who spoke the “other language”.  I am now very happy to be able to teach English to new arrivals to the US, and to help them integrate into the community in which I have made my home. 


I still have very warm memories of the first MCAEL course I attended in 2017, “More Learning, Less Teaching”. Putting the learner at the center of what we do is different from the more teacher-centric training I received all those years ago. Not only is it the right thing to do to put the learner first, but I am finding that I, as the instructor, am learning more too. Long may we all continue to keep learning!


What brings you joy outside of your professional life?

I like to read, to cook, and to travel.


Tell us a little about yourself and what was your entry point into Adult ESOL
I was born in Ireland, where I qualified as a high-school teacher in 1978. A few years later, I became a member of a team appointed to train accountants in Lesotho, a small country in southern Africa that had recently become independent. For the next two years, I would teach accounting and other subjects in a country where, despite being known internationally as anglophone, English is very much a second-language.

My time in Lesotho was the start of what turned out to be a thirty-year career in development. Much of this was with the World Bank, which is how I came to Washington in 1994. While not working directly on education during these years, I always retained an involvement, and served as a board member of the Rabat American School in Morocco and the Overseas School of Colombo in Sri Lanka when posted to each country. 

Soon after I retired, I had the opportunity to teach ESOL as a volunteer at the Briggs Center for Faith and Action in Bethesda. Now in my fifth year, I enjoy it thoroughly.

Where are you now teaching (at what levels and for which organizations)?
I presently teach a Beginner – High class of ten students. We have four hours of on-line classes each week. I earlier taught at Intermediate – High level for two years. I am also part of a team at Briggs that provides individual support to recent arrivals and refugees, and I am presently teaching two members of an Afghan family that arrived following the US withdrawal in August of 2021. 

What unexpected successes or previously unknown capabilities have you and the learners you serve experienced during the pandemic?

I miss in-person teaching. On the other hand, on-line teaching has forced me to make more, and smarter, use of IT. I’ve been surprised by the wealth of resources available not just to help me to teach, but, more importantly, to help learners to learn. All members of my Beginner class are comfortable with Zoom, our WhatsApp Group, and e-mail. I see great potential for us to make better use of IT to improve the learning experience. 

What role do you play in MAG?
I am presently the chair of the MAG, and serve on the Spring Conference and Learner Leadership committees.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?
I spent half of my professional life working in diverse countries around the world. For much of this time, I was the “new arrival” who spoke the “other language”.  I am now very happy to be able to teach English to new arrivals to the US, and to help them integrate into the community in which I have made my home. 

I still have very warm memories of the first MCAEL course I attended in 2017, “More Learning, Less Teaching”. Putting the learner at the center of what we do is different from the more teacher-centric training I received all those years ago. Not only is it the right thing to do to put the learner first, but I am finding that I, as the instructor, am learning more too. Long may we all continue to keep learning!

What brings you joy outside of your professional life?
I like to read, to cook, and to travel.
 

Image of Gerard Etienne, MCAEL's New Executive Director.

MCAEL Welcomes Gerard J. P. Etienne as New Executive Director

By MCAEL • April 16, 2025
MCAEL is delighted to announce the appointment of Gerard J. P. Etienne as its new Executive Director. Gerard brings a depth of experience overseeing and growing large programs, most recently as Chief Program & Innovation Officer at the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA). He will assume his new position at MCAEL on May 5, 2025. Gerard began his career as a mechanical engineer and then a management consultant for both small and large companies, focusing on intrapreneurship and innovation. He discovered his passion for mission-driven work through years of volunteering – leading him to a position as Director of the Vocational Services Program (VSP) at Interfaith Works, where he worked directly with immigrant job seekers, including non-English speakers, to help them overcome cultural and employment barriers. “Gerard brings a deep personal connection to MCAEL’s mission and a strong commitment to serving vulnerable and marginalized communities in Montgomery County,” said Sean Klein, MCAEL Board Chair. “His record of equity-centered leadership, along with his experience managing multidisciplinary teams and complex programs, make him the ideal choice to lead MCAEL into its next chapter.”  "I am thrilled and honored to serve as MCAEL'S next Executive Director,” Gerard stated. “As a long-time Montgomery County resident and someone with lived experience as an English learner, MCAEL'S mission is deeply personal to me. It's a privilege to give back to my community and to help expand opportunities for adult learners across our county." Gerard’s family moved to the United States when he was a teenager, and he entered the American school system speaking no English. A Montgomery County resident for almost 40 years, Gerard and his wife raised two sons here. He and his wife are both avid fans of Arsenal Football Club (they never miss a game). They live in Silver Spring with their dog, Doug.

MCAEL Partner Spotlight: ISWA

By Kayla Savoy • March 24, 2025
Two years ago, MCAEL and the Islamic Society of Washington Area (ISWA) came together with a shared mission: to make English classes more accessible to the local Muslim community. ISWA, a vibrant religious organization, serves a diverse group of individuals from around the world. During our visit in November, we experienced firsthand how ISWA’s mosque transforms during the day into a dynamic learning space. The moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed into the community breakfast—tables filled with fresh fruit, pastries, and lively conversations. Learners chatted eagerly, children laughed as they played, and there was a sense of excitement as classes began. What makes these classes truly unique is that they are structured to uphold religious practices, offering a space where women can learn in privacy and comfort. Each classroom is tailored to different English proficiency levels, ensuring that every student gets the encouragement they need. One of the most engaging aspects of the program is the rewards system for Level 2 beginner learners. At the end of class, learners can choose a prize, but there’s a catch! They must correctly pronounce the item’s name in English. The bigger the prize, the longer the sentence – from long children dresses to beautiful hijabs, bedazzled shoes or knitted blankets. With so many beautiful and fun prizes available, the classroom buzzes with excitement and chatter as learners share their sentences and new words they’ve discovered. Outside the classroom, the learning continues. Before heading to prayer, a wide table in the center of the space holds free groceries once a week for learners to take home with them. Bananas, fresh vegetables, pastries, and more. But before taking an item – again – they must first name it in English. This simple yet powerful exercise turns everyday essentials into an opportunity for learners to help each other, practice new words, and build confidence in their language skills. It’s been nearly two years since MCAEL and ISWA first collaborated to launch a Community Learning Group (MCAEL’s “starter” classes, established in areas with few English learning opportunities). Recognizing a growing need in their community, ISWA went on to apply for a Start-Up Grant, securing financial and professional development support to expand their program. Last year, they took another step forward by applying for and receiving an increased award through the Access Small Grant. MCAEL is thrilled to continue this incredible partnership with ISWA, working together to support learners and strengthen our community. To learn more about ISWA and our Grant Partners, click here .
Picture of WUMCO Help's location in Poolseville, MD.

MCAEL Partner Spotlight: WUMCO Help, Inc

By Kayla Savoy • November 1, 2024
On Friday, October 25th, the MCAEL staff had the privilege of visiting WUMCO Help's facility in Poolesville, MD. What began as a quick journey to distribute our Adult English Language Program Directories turned into an insightful tour of WUMCO’s expansive ESOL classroom, designed for local residents, and their food pantry, where they provide shelf-stable goods and fresh produce to the community. Supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, community members, and local Boy Scout troops, WUMCO is committed to addressing food, language, health, and financial insecurities in Poolesville and the surrounding areas. We are proud to partner with WUMCO Help , which began with MCAEL as a Start-Up Grant recipient in 2023 and then grew to become an Access Small Grant recipient the following year. To learn more about WUMCO and the good work of all of our current Grant Partners, click here.