Wendy Schwartz

ESL Educator
Office: 326 O'Dowd Hall 
Email: wendyschwartz@oakland.edu

Wendy Schwartz is a life-long learner of a wide variety of topics, ranging from organic gardening to classic Hollywood movies to social justice. Professionally, she first learned about and trained in English as a Second Language in 1990. However, she didn’t pursue ESL teaching as a career until much later, but teaching was always in her blood. In the intervening years, she studied for her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Then, she left the academic and work fields to become a wife and stay-at-home mother. Also, during that time, she continued to teach different topics to different audiences. In her basement, she taught couples how to give birth naturally. She also taught individuals how to make their own soaps and bath products. Then, when her daughters were old enough, she became a Girl Scout Leader and taught them many things from art and science to camping and survival skills.

Since returning to academia, she earned a Master’s in Linguistics at Oakland University with a focus on Teaching ESL in 2017. After graduation, she continued her connection with OU where she has enjoyed teaching individuals, small groups and large classes to better understand, appreciate and use the English language.

Similar to her work life, her teaching philosophy has changed over the years as well. At first, she saw herself as a teacher; then, an instructor; thirdly, an educator; and currently, a coach. A coach encourages learners toward proficiency using diverse pedagogy and strategies; and that is what she ultimately strives to do.