Greetings from ELS Melbourne, and welcome to our Center Spotlight feature! In this issue of ELS Center Spotlight, we invite you to learn more about our awesome center on the East Coast!
About ELS Melbourne:
ELS Melbourne is located on the beautiful campus of the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) in Melbourne, on the Space Coast of Florida. The ELS Melbourne Center has been on FIT’s campus for several decades. Both ELS and FIT host students from around the world; therefore, ELS Melbourne students are able to mingle with American and international students studying a diverse group of subjects ranging from robotics to aeronautical engineering.
Fun fact: Buzz Aldrin from the Apollo 11 mission joined the faculty as a Research Professor of Aeronautics and advisor. He also established the Buzz Aldrin Space Institute at FIT, proving one is never too old to start a new hobby.
Melbourne instructors have diverse teaching experience in the United States and abroad. They are familiar with and embrace the various cultures of our students. Many instructors possess master's degrees in Education or TESOL and have taught at the center or local school districts for several years.
Melbourne is a great location to access all major tourist spots nearby: the Space Coast’s beautiful beaches, Orlando’s world-famous theme parks with shopping and dining options, and NASA’s renowned Kennedy Space Center (students can even see delayed shuttle launches from ELS without ever traveling to the Space Center!). Port Canaveral, one of the largest cruise ports in the world, is also a short drive away, next to the legendary Cocoa Beach: the surfing capital of the East Coast is home to a large community of active retired astronauts with generous government pensions.
Meet the ELS Melbourne Staff:
Derek Thomas, Center Director – Derek has been with ELS since 2011 and has worked at various ELS centers in several capacities. Prior to ELS, he taught English and managed a school in South Korea for several years before moving to Japan to teach for several more. Derek graduated from the University of Florida in 2003 with degrees in History and Political Science. He enjoys traveling, cooking, photography, and language study. Derek and his staff are like a family here at ELS, making everyone feel welcomed and at home! Derek enjoys looking serious in photos (think blue steel), but his personality is nothing like that!
Susan Posh, Academic Director / Instructional Specialist – Susan has been with ELS since 1998, beginning her career at Berlitz on Campus in Miami, which later became ELS Miami. She received her master's degree in TESOL at Florida International University before getting her license as an aircraft dispatcher. In 2014, Susan moved to our Melbourne Center and has worked here ever since. She also taught Aviation English in the past and now occasionally collaborates with FIT on Aviation English classes. Susan is an avid traveler and animal lover who rarely takes photos with other humans.
Lorissa Graeber, International Student Advisor – Lorissa has been with ELS since 2021. Prior to ELS, she worked for the City of Palm Bay in Parks and Recreation (just like the television show) in special events and as a summer camp director. She also worked as a music instructor at Pineapple Cove Classical Academy. Lorissa received her bachelor's degree in History and Linguistics from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. After that, she completed her Graduate Certificate in Business Leadership and Management at Liberty University. Lorissa has traveled with several teams to assist in disaster and medical relief for different countries in need. She is native born to Melbourne, where she now lives with her husband. They enjoy fossil hunting and water sports on the Space Coast. Lorissa and her husband are expecting their first baby in June and are mildly excited about the prospect of being parents.
A warm thank you to our talented team in Melbourne and across all ELS centers for helping us continue to succeed this quarter, and we look forward to seeing you in the next issue of our ELS Center Spotlight!