Deborah Kennedy

About Deborah Kennedy

My work uses the power of the written word to promote lifelong learning and clear, cogent communication. Building on my expertise in adult second language acquisition, I provide professional development for teachers of adult English language learners; develop and teach online courses in business writing for workplace professionals; create teaching and learning materials on workplace and life skills topics for use with adult learners; and provide editorial services for publishers of education and related materials. As executive director of the National Coalition for Literacy, I advocate for adult learners, adult basic skills programs, and teachers in the field of adult basic education and English as a second language. I also write grant and contract proposals; I\'ve been a program officer for a small private foundation and the development director for a nonprofit. I\'ve written successful proposals to multiple private foundations and to the U.S. Departments of Education, Commerce, Defense, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development. My work focuses on providing plain language material that readers can understand and act on the first time they read it. I prefer working on deadline, and I\'m always happy to review, revise, proofread, and proofread again.

Experience

1. Series Editor, Tesol Modular Education

   TESOL International Association

   Jan 2020 — Present

Education

• Harvard University

  MTS

  1979 — 1981

• Boston University

  BA

  1974 — 1978

• American University

  MATESOL, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

  1987 — 1989