Lori Edmonds, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Education and Human Sciences, has been selected for a two-week English Language Specialist project by the United States Department of State. The project will focus on eco-anxiety and trauma-informed teaching strategies for Hungarian and Ukrainian English teachers in Siόfok, Hungary.
Edmonds brings 16 years of experience in professional learning for teachers of English learners. As part of the select group supported by the English Language Specialist Program, her expertise will contribute to enhancing language education.
“In the UAB School of Education and Human Sciences, faculty work collaboratively across programs to provide professional learning that supports the well-being of educators while also teaching the skills needed for them to best support their students who are learning English and academic content simultaneously,” Edmonds said. “I am proud of the work we are doing to change the tide of teacher turnover while preparing teachers to work with increasingly diverse student populations. To have the opportunity to bring this work to Hungarian and Ukrainian teachers to support them in their work with English learners is a great honor for me, my school and our university.”
Edmonds teaches courses for the Master’s in English as a Second Language program and conducts workshops for content teachers with multilingual learners in their classrooms. Her emphasis on teacher well-being aligns with the project’s goals.
During the project, Edmonds will present innovative strategies to address eco-anxiety and promote trauma-informed teaching at two summer camps for Hungarian and Ukrainian teachers.