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NVTESOL

​The NVTESOL board consists of passionate educators from various sectors. Learn more about our committee members below!

Meet the NVTESOL Committee 

Valerie Seals - President

Valerie Seals is a K-12 English Language Development (ELD) Regional Trainer with the Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program and the President of NVTESOL. With a passion for supporting educators and multilingual learners, she provides professional development, coordinates the ELAD Endorsement Program, and empowers teachers to create equitable learning environments. Valerie is dedicated to fostering collaboration and advocating for Nevada’s diverse student population.

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Vanessa Mari - Past President

Dr. Vanessa Mari has worked as an English teacher for the past 8 years. She started her career teaching English as a second language in a public high school in Puerto Rico. Dr. Vanessa Mari has also taught in diverse academic settings including the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez, the University of Texas San Antonio and The University of Piura. She has also collaborated with the Ministry of Education in Peru as the English Language Fellow. 



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Linda Gannon - Secretary

Linda Gannon is a Professor of English at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN). She holds degrees from Miami University of Ohio, The University of Akron, and UNLV and has worked with students from preschool to graduate school for over 25 years in Ohio, South Carolina, California, and Nevada. She represented our state in the California/Nevada TESOL organization (CATESOL) for several years before NVTESOL was formed. A certified K-12 educator, she loves teaching and enjoys reading, traveling, and volunteering in the community.

Michael Mantyla - Membership Development

Michael Mantyla earned his bachelor's degree in Integrated Social Studies from Kent State University. He later pursued his passion for language education, obtaining a master's degree in English Language Learning from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

Michael began his teaching career in rural southwest Alaska, where he had the privilege of living in Yupik villages and working exclusively with multilingual Yupik students. His experiences there deepened his understanding of language development and the power of multilingualism. After leaving Alaska, he transitioned to teaching in eastern Las Vegas, where he continues to support emergent bilingual students in a middle school setting. Michael remains dedicated to fostering inclusive, engaging, and linguistically affirming learning environments where all students can succeed.

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​Juan Plancarte Hernandez - Communications & Archives

Juan Plancarte Hernandez is an accomplished educator and advocate for English Learners (ELLs), serving as the Committee Chair for NVTESOL's Communications and Archives Committee and the ELL Facilitator and Strategist at Canyon Springs High School. He has led professional development sessions that empower teachers with high-leverage strategies to support diverse learners and has developed targeted intervention programs focused on WIDA preparation and self-advocacy for ELL students. A recipient of UNLV’s Project PUEBLO Most Innovative Action Plan Award, Juan continues to champion equity and inclusion through innovative practices that enhance student and teacher success alike.

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