Posts

TLC Welcomes New Assistant Director of World Languages

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TLC is very pleased to announce we have a new Assistant Director of World Languages, Mauricio Lopera.

Mauricio has a degree in Teaching English and Spanish from Luis Amigó Catholic University and a TESOL certification from Arizona State University. He has been a language instructor for more than 16 years – including teaching Spanish for TLC. He also recently coordinated a language program in Colombia that was overseen by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. embassy in Bogota.

Welcome Mauricio!

TLC Hosts High School Students

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TLC hosted the Spanish 3 students from Renaissance High School in Franklin, TN. The students were on a field trip to explore language career opportunities. The 16 students were divided into small groups and met with Translation Project Manager Eileen Bernstein to talk about translation jobs and Spanish Bilingual Administrative Coordinator Irma Hernandez about the work she does with students studying English. Training Specialist Richard Ponce de Leon had them role-play as interpreters and clients, and they got to create a short video about studying Spanish with Director of Marketing & Communications Missy Pankake. The goal was to expose them to different career opportunities using their language skills.

TLC Adds Two New Project Managers

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TLC welcomes Genna Linton and Aimee Dunphy as Interpretation & Translation project managers. Genna will focus on interpretation while Aimee focuses on translation.

Genna is a certified medical interpreter and most recently served as the bilingual front desk receptionist at Liberty Collegiate Academy in Nashville. She has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and geography from the University of Georgia.

Most recently, Aimee was a test administrator for Pearson Professional Centers in Brentwood. She has a bachelor’s degree in Japanese from Ball State University in Indiana.

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Amanda Shappard Joins TLC as New Fiscal Director

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Amanda Shappard is the new fiscal director for the Tennessee Language Center. She was previously an accountant for Williamson County government for 8 years. Amanda has a bachelor’s in accounting from Tennessee Tech and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in public administration from Murray State University. She’s earned the Certified County Finance Officer and the Certified Public Administrator designations from the County Technical Assistance Service, an agency of the University of Tennessee’s Institute for Public Service.

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3 New Project Managers Join ITS Team

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We are so excited to welcome three new Project Managers to our Interpretation and Translation Department. ITS Project Managers serve as the point of contact external clients for interpretation and/or translation projects.

Headshot of woman with long curly hair Eileen Bernstein has served as a translator with TLC since 2020. She has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree in political science from George Washington University.

Headshot of a woman in blue shirt with dark hairMahasweta Panigrahy has most recently worked as an early learning project coordinator at First Presbyterian Preschool in Franklin. Mahasweta holds degrees from Berhampur (India) University and the University of the Cumberlands.

Headshot of a woman with dark short hair and glassesAdrian McDaniel is a former program manager for International Scholarship and Tuition Services Inc. Adrian holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations with minors in French and Spanish from Middle Tennessee State University; as well as a master’s in international business from Southern New Hampshire University.

Welcome, Eileen, Mahasweta and Adrian!

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Richard Ponce de Leon to be New Interpretation and Translation Training Specialist

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We are happy to announce that Richard Ponce de Leon will be Tennessee Language Center’s new Interpretation and Translation Training Specialist, effective Nov. 1, 2021. Richard was previously a Project Manager for TLC’s Interpretation & Translation Services.

As Interpretation and Translation Training Specialist, Richard will design curriculum, ensure quality instruction, and facilitate, supervise, and administer training workshops for interpreters. More specifically, he will work with our medical and court interpretation certification programs and work with the American Association of Interpreters and Translators in Education as they develop a certification program for educational interpreters.

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3 TLC Employees Recognized with Awards

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Three TLC employees were recently recognized by the University of Tennessee Institute of Public Service with a Five Franklin Award, which notes those staff members who demonstrate great work and service to the institute.

Irma Hernandez, Spanish Bilingual Administrative Coordinator, has been with TLC  for a short time but has made a significant impact amongst their peers and customers. From day one, Irma has taken the initiative in speaking at a conference, participating in the fundraising team, and meeting with community members, all while learning her new job role. Irma immediately increased their area’s classes and student numbers and performs tasks with a cheerful attitude.

Richard Ponce de Leon, Bilingual Coordinator for Interpretation and Translation, has consistently demonstrated initiative and skill in many areas beyond the scope of the job he was hired to do. Richard is innovative, reliable and a source of inspiration for TLC.  Plus, Richard is rather amusing and delightful to work with (and a master of chihuahua memes).

Ramona Wilson, Evening Program Coordinator, has shown flexibility, strength, and a positive attitude through the intense changes we have gone through this past year. Ramona has demonstrated sustained high-quality job performance, initiative, good communication skills, flexibility, and commitment to the agency. When we have in-person classes, Ramona greets students and teachers with warmth and a smile, making all feel welcome. She is always trying to learn new things and be a better version of her great self. No matter what may come around, she is always up to the task.

Congratulations to all three!

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Welcome Dr. Brian Barnett as New Director of World Languages

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We are so excited to welcome our new Director of World Languages at TLC – Dr. Brian Barnett. He comes to TLC from the University of Minnesota, where he served as a senior lecturer in French and as the director of language instruction in French.

Brian has a bachelor’s in French and Spanish from Kansas State University, a master’s in French from Indiana University and a doctorate in education from Indiana University.