Karen Riley has taught English to international students for more than fifteen years. She has taught English in Oregon, California and Hawaii in programs for university students and in programs for immigrants and refugees. Karen holds M.A. and Ph, D degrees in the social sciences. She loves teaching. She has traveled to more than twenty countries and has lived in India, Thailand and Mexico. When she’s not working or traveling, she can be found in her garden near Hilo or in her kayak in the ocean.

 

 

Suzanne Kita earned her B.A. and M.A. in Teaching English at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She has taught English in Hawaii for over twenty years. She is also the author of five books for children and adults, poetry, and articles and essays. After living in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado for twelve years, she and her family moved back to Hawaii and live in the country-side outside of Hilo. She immediately fell in love with the IEP and its interesting students and talented staff. Suzanne also teaches ESL and English credit courses at HawCC.

A native of California, Patrick has been teaching English as a Second Language for over twenty years, both in the U.S. and overseas. He received his Master's degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from United States International University in his hometown of San Diego. He loves to travel and has visited many countries in Asia, Europe, Central and South America. He speaks some Spanish and Thai, and a little Japanese, too. He is very interested in language study, but he loves most of all to teach English to his students while learning all about their lives and cultures. These days, when he isn't working, Patrick enjoys listening to music, driving around the Big Island of Hawaii, working in his guava orchard, boogie boarding, snorkeling, eating, reading, thinking, dreaming and watching Japanese TV (esp. NHK News)

Linda Cholas came to love teaching English while living in Southern New Mexico, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Belize, Central America. As a Native American, born on the Isleta Pueblo Indian Reservation in New Mexico, a respect and appreciation of all cultures became an important part of her life. Linda earned a B.A. in English Literature at the University of Hawaii in Hilo, and a M.A. in teaching ESL from Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, Hawaii. Along with teaching ESL with the IEP, she also teaches ESL and English credit courses at Hawaii Community College. Linda and her husband, Chris, are very proud of their six grown children who live in various parts of the world who all work for world peace. They also now have 7 grandchildren. She loves to travel, visit friends, and spend time with family. 

Mary Gaddis
Mary Gaddis has been teaching English and other languages in Hilo for over 25 years. She was born in Texas, and grew up on the island of Puerto Rico, speaking both Spanish and English and later, French. Mary studied at The University of Texas at Austin, the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras and the Universite du Quebec a Chicoutimi, as well as right here at UHH. From her studies, she has BA and MA degrees in languages and additonal graduate work in language teaching. Mary has also been (very briefly!) a television actress, radio reporter and semi-professional musician. When she is not teaching, Mary enjoys music, hiking, swimming, snorkeling, bike riding and having fun.