Ben’s love for education and teaching started in 2007 in Wuhan, China, where he taught English to students of all ages. From 2012-2015, he taught English composition and literature at George Mason University, where he received (received is in all caps on the page for some reason) his MFA in 2015.
After grad school, he was given the career-changing opportunity to revamp the English Studies Program at Gould Academy, in Bethel, Maine. This role was focused on supporting international students studying in the U.S., an experience that sparked his passion for helping students navigate the complex logistics of education at the secondary and post-secondary level. In 2018, Ben began working as an online course designer at CIEE developing know-before-you-go prep courses for US college students studying abroad in over 60 locations around the world. In 2021, he moved to the graduate level, taking a role as an instructional designer at The Roux Institute at Northeastern University and working with professors to design and deliver graduate courses in data science, AI, and leadership development. In 2021, he took a role as an instructional designer at The Roux Institute at Northeastern University, working with grad-level professors to design and deliver courses in data science, AI, and leadership development. (this is repeated…can we keep the underlined version?)
Ben has traveled and lived all over the world, including many locations in China, Japan, Korea, the U.K., Canada, and a whole lot of Europe. He loves cooking, reading, gardening, and going to concerts. In addition to his degrees, he is an Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) associate member, National College Attainment Network (NCAN) member and certified education advisor, and is currently pursuing CFP Certification.
Ben and his wife Haze have worked together for almost two decades. As parents of two sons, 15 and 8, they are passionate about putting students in the best learning environments possible. They are reminded every day, at home and work, just how important it is to give students their best chance to succeed and thrive.