Meet Our Staff
Central overseas education services
Dr. Pellegrini established Central Overseas Education Services in 1994 and is a TESOL Instructor. He has an extensive education background holding a Bachelor's degree from the University of Waterloo, a Diploma in Technical Education and B.ED from the University of Toronto, a Masters of Education from Niagara University, and a PH.D. in Education from The University of New Mexico. He also holds a Certificate in Gerontology from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and Music Teaching qualifications for both Choral and Instrumental Music.
As an academic, he has taught in teacher-training programs at York University and the University of Toronto, including post-graduate certification courses for licensed teachers, as well as in the Masters of Education program in New York State. He has also represented various American and Canadian Universities for the purpose of international overseas admission and served as a Mentor for adults wishing to fast-track their own personal degree studies. Being labelled as a "retarded child" in first grade gave rise to his passion for caring for special education children and for designing and assessing instruments for more accurate testing. Designing individual programs for children and post-graduate adults aspires from the "education from womb-to-tomb" model in coaxing and inspiring individuals to strive higher and higher in their personal and professional lives. And the role played by Morgan Freeman in the "Shawshank Redemption" brings out the famous line that inspires all of Jim's work: "get busy living or get busy dying".
moreErin is the Director of Marketing/Enrolment and TESOL Instructor. She is a 2023 TESOL graduate, an experienced teacher, and holds a Bachelors degree in Health Sciences from Western University. Erin is currently expanding her education through her Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University.
Erin is currently living in Melilla, Spain, where she is teaching English as a second language. She has taught students of all ages from infants to older adults, through engaging conversation classes, exam preparation courses, 1-1 lessons, and workshops. Erin is a certified A2 and B1 Cambridge Speaking Examiner.
She has 10 years of teaching experience working with students of all ages through swimming lessons, online and in-person ESL classes. Working with a broad range of non-native English students has enlightened Erin on the vast market and demand for Native English teachers.
Erin understands the unique aspects of the learning process and the dynamics of learning styles for all students. She believes the Central Overseas Education Services TESOL course adequately equips individuals with the necessary skills to be a memorable teacher online or overseas. She aspires to inspire future TESOL students and teachers to connect with individuals of other cultures by sharing and teaching the language of English.
moreSarah is the Regional Director of Canada and a Certified TESOL Instructor for the Ottawa Area. She has been a TESOL Certified Instructor since 2020 leading students through their own TESOL experience and teaching journey in both in-person and online classrooms. Her approach is a sincere and personal one, that is engaging and supportive. Sarah wants to see her students succeed and you will feel empowered throughout her course.
Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts in History from Nipissing University, she has the widely recognized and respected Certified Fund Raising Executive credential from CFRE International (2018), and she is a Certified Wedding Coordinator through the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada.
In addition to this, Sarah is a multi-passionate and successful entrepreneur. She started a Wedding & Event Planning business in 2011, and brought it online in 2019 with clients across Canada and the United States. In February of 2020 she transitioned her online focus to Mindset & Business Coaching for Women, and quickly scaled her business during the pandemic by leading other women to find their true passion and the confidence to start their own businesses. She offers programs and private coaching to organize, plan and scale your business.
moreEmma is a 2016 TESOL graduate and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics with Business Administration from St. Francis Xavier University. She is one of Central Overseas Educations Services newest TESOL Instructors.
Based in Budapest, Hungary, Emma teaches Mathematics to middle and high school students. She has over 15 years of experience teaching math; as a tutor, as a teaching assistant for university professors, and now as the developer and instructor of an English Mathematics program abroad.
Emma has taught in five countries across three continents. Her experience includes teaching English as a second language to learners of all ages, from kindergarteners to adults, as well as leading summer camp programs in the Czech Republic and Indonesia. These diverse experiences have broadened her perspective and strengthened her ability to adapt her teaching style to meet the needs of every learner.
Emma’s teaching philosophy centers on creating a dynamic classroom environment where students feel confident to speak, ask questions, and grow their language and math skills. She is passionate about helping future TESOL students develop their own teaching identities and thrive as global educators.
moreNatalie is a 2017 TESOL graduate with 24 years of experience teaching English to students of all ages both in-person and online. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics in 2006 from Tula State University, with a specialization in the Theory and Practice of Translation. Natalie is currently based in Saint-Petersburg, Russia, and is one of Central Overseas Educational Service newest TESOL Instructors.
Natalie founded the language school MY ENGLISH in Tula, which she led from 2014 to 2018. She is also the creator of her own teaching method, successfully applied since 2016, and has volunteered teaching English to children with special needs.
Her focus is not only on teaching students English, but also teaching teachers how to inspire and motivate their students, how to turn a class into an unforgettable experience, taking into account each student’s personality. Natalie’s mission is to help teachers grow both professionally and mentally.
Committed to continuous learning, she has traveled to 14 countries and brings global perspective to her work. She is an experienced teacher, proud mother of two daughters, and someone who values happiness and balance in life.
moreLeda is a multilingual educator and a new TESOL instructor at Centre Overseas Education Centre with a lifelong passion for languages, culture, and communication. Fluent in English, French, Italian, and Albanian, she brings a unique global perspective to her teaching.
With a professional background as an interpreter, translator, immigration consultant, and community volunteer, Leda has spent years helping newcomers adapt to life in Canada by supporting their language and settlement needs. Since 2009, she has dedicated her time to tutoring English and guiding learners from diverse cultural backgrounds, experiences that inspired her to pursue formal TESOL certification. She completed her Advanced TESOL Certificate and Teaching Business English Specialization in 2025.
Leda’s teaching philosophy is centered on student confidence, inclusion, and cross-cultural connection. She believes that learning a language is not just about mastering grammar, but also about discovering new ways to connect with the world. Her interactive, student-centered approach helps learners build practical skills while feeling supported, encouraged, and inspired.
Beyond the classroom, Leda is an avid traveler who has lived across Europe and now calls Oakville, Ontario, Canada home. She hopes to bring her passion for exploration to her teaching career by working internationally, particularly in Asia, where she looks forward to discovering new cultures and sharing her love of languages with students worldwide.
moreMonika holds a Master's Degree in Film and Media Studies from University of Łódź, Poland and a Master's Degree in American Studies from University of Warsaw, Poland. She is a TESOL graduate from 2010 and one of Central Overseas Educations Services newest TESOL Instructors. Monika is a highly skilled and dedicated ESL teacher, with almost 20 years of experience delivering effective language training to both children and adults. She has demonstrated success teaching in diverse environments, including public schools, private language institutes, and corporate settings in Poland, China, and Italy. She is known for creating engaging, student-centered lessons tailored to varied learning styles and cultural backgrounds.
Over the years, Monika has developed a strong foundation in communicative and student-centered teaching, with a focus on building confidence, fluency, and real-world communication skills. Whether she is preparing young learners for exams, helping professionals refine their business English, or supporting adult beginners, her goal is always to make learning effective, engaging, and fun.
In her free time she enjoys travelling, going to the movies, spending time with family and friends, and restoring old furniture.
moreWing is a new TESOL Instructor at Central Overseas Education Services and a 2024 TESOL graduate. She holds a Bachelor’s Honours degree in Cognitive Science with a concentration in biological foundation (Neuroscience) from Carleton University Ottawa, Canada. Her passion for teaching and inspiring others comes from her own journey as a non-native English speaker who has completed Cambridge exams from PET to CAE and the IELTS, obtaining C1 proficiency. She believes that these experiences help her connect with learners at every stage of their English studies.
She has worked as a Training Officer with Elections Ontario, guiding and instructing diverse groups of learners, and has also mentored international students. A multilingual speaker of five languages and counting, she brings cultural awareness and a global perspective into the classroom. Her time studying abroad for four years in Canada and spending a year as an exchange student in Switzerland shaped her as both an educator and a global citizen, and inspired her to encourage others to explore the world through the English language.
She is passionate about equipping future TESOL students and teachers with the confidence and skills to share the English language, connect with other cultures, and inspire others through learning. As someone who learned English as an additional language, she believes that anyone, native or non-native, can use the power of English to share their voice and discover new opportunities.
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