Welcome to the American College of Education (ACE) Alumni Spotlight, where we highlight our alumni and share how choosing smarter education leads to meaningful outcomes.
Kirsten Salonga is a seasoned English as a second language teacher, who was selected to participate in the 2026 Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program in Senegal. She graduated from ACE in 2020 with an M.Ed. in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education (now called the M.Ed. in Teaching English Learners), furthering her expertise and influence in multilingual settings. We were thrilled to learn more about her career.
ACE: Congratulations on being selected for the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program! Tell us about your time in Senegal and how the experience has impacted your career.
Kirsten Salonga (KS): Thank you so much! My time in Senegal was as immersive as it was inspiring. For two weeks, I learned more about the Senegalese educational system and presented lessons to students about the English language and American culture.
In both Dakar and Saint-Louis, I observed and taught classes at public, private and technical schools. Because I teach environmental science for multilingual learners, I saw direct connections between language development in the Senegalese education system, especially in the use of native languages in schools. I was also able to incorporate some of the activities that I found most inspiring in my own classroom.
ACE: What inspired you to share ACE swag with fellow educators while you were there?
KS: Educators all around the world should feel respected and that their presence is a gift. I wanted the Senegalese educators I worked with, whether it was in the classroom or during meetings, to feel that their conversations mattered through these gifts.
M.Ed. in Teaching English Learners
Educators all around the world should feel respected and that their presence is a gift. I wanted the Senegalese educators I worked with, whether it was in the classroom or during meetings, to feel that their conversations mattered through these gifts.
Kirsten Salonga
We were grateful that they were willing to take the time and energy to discuss changes that they have seen in Senegalese education in the past few years. I am incredibly grateful that ACE allowed me to give shirts to these teachers to represent the importance of connections across the globe.
ACE: Why did choosing ACE feel like the best path for your career?
KS: ACE allowed me to pursue my master’s degree while still working in the classroom. I was teaching in Bogota, Colombia, when I completed my degree with ACE. I honestly don’t think I would have been able to finish it without the ease of scheduling that ACE provided. They made my journey one of fruitful, ongoing contributions to my pedagogy rather than added stress.
ACE: What did you learn during your time at ACE that has impacted your career the most?
KS: Prior to the pursuit of my master’s degree, I taught biology for multilingual learners for two years. I had experience teaching diverse students, but I did not have the formal education. One of the most impactful things I learned in my coursework is that the pedagogy that helps multilingual learners helps all learners. My studies at ACE allowed me to teach English in South America with fidelity, bringing back these same skills upon my return to the United States. I would not be the educator I am today if it had not been for ACE.
M.Ed. in Teaching English Learners
My studies at ACE allowed me to teach English in South America with fidelity, bringing back these same skills upon my return the United States. I would not be the educator I am today if it had not been for ACE.
Kirsten Salong
ACE: What advice would you offer someone who is aspiring to teach English as a second language?
KS: I would definitely say that the ability to teach both content courses (in my case, science) and language development alongside one another is a unique skill that will grow and evolve over time. I often reflect on the drastic improvements I have made since my first two years as a teacher, and the quality of my performance is nowhere close to now.
I would also emphasize that the student backgrounds that you may have within your classroom are a gift within themselves. Integrating my students’ home countries and native languages into my activities builds a community I would not trade for another classroom. My students are so incredibly strong, with stories I can only begin to imagine. Every day they inspire me with their determination, something you need to keep improving.
It may be difficult to become accustomed to the syntax and diction shifts required to teach such courses with fidelity, but it is entirely worth it for the students who need someone truly passionate for the job.
Being an American College of Education (ACE) alum has its perks. When you return as an alum for another program, you receive discounted tuition with the Alumni Continuing Education Grant. Alumni can also refer a friend to an ACE program and get exclusive rewards.
