Today we’d like to introduce you to Dara Fulton.
Hi Dara, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My ESL career began after I graduated from college in 2005. As any new grad, I needed a job and applied for an ESL teaching position with AmeriCorps. I was assigned to work in Chinatown, NY, to teach an advanced English class. It was my first time in Chinatown, and I was the only African-American teacher in the program. Despite its ups and downs, I learned a lot from my students, Chinese culture, and some Cantonese. I love Chinese food! While in AmeriCorps, I started another advanced-level class and a conversation class. The conversation class focused on current events and topics that affect our daily lives. It was a chance for students to express themselves and practice their English freely. I was also a coordinator for a short time while conducting teacher training for new teachers. It was a great experience. I transitioned into working for a non-profit organization where I taught beginner and intermediate-level English classes and worked as a job developer. I conducted job readiness workshops helping people, including students, find work. I enjoyed wearing different hats and teaching in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. I worked there for six years.
After being laid off, having two hip surgeries, and having major breakups, I became depressed. I felt broken. Through my faith in God, my family, and a dear friend who encouraged me to write down my feelings, I began a blog called Dara’s Creative Corner. Later, I started another one focusing on ESL called Motivation ESL. I began creating videos on my YouTube channel about the first day of ESL class, lesson planning, and vlogs about finding another ESL position. It was the first time I allowed myself to be myself and share my journey with the world. Over time, I found work at several language schools where each experience was unique. I’ve always enjoyed working with students from around the world but didn’t like the bureaucracies, favoritism, and prejudices I faced as, once again, the only African-American teacher. I found my voice at the language schools and turned prejudicial commentary into lessons, discussions, and even presentations. This allowed students to gain perspective about their prejudices and a willingness to accept people as they are.
After unjust layoffs and eventually quitting, I decided to start my own ESL tutoring business. I wanted to create something where I could be myself and help adult learners to feel comfortable in the learning process. I didn’t want to only focus on textbooks and out-of-date curriculums. Instead, focus on real-life situations and how to communicate in everyday life effectively. I launched my business, Applied ESL, LLC, in February 2019, and later that year published my first ESL book, the Applied ESL Life Skills student workbook. Applied ESL is an online English tutoring service with a creative approach where I help adult learners build their confidence while practicing and improving their English-speaking skills. I tutor students online and offer coaching calls for anyone looking to become a teacher or who needs job readiness assistance.
I became certified as a Minority-Women Business Enterprise in 2021 and currently looking to contract with government agencies and businesses to help more ESL students. I have a second YouTube channel called Applied ESL, and I’m active on social media, especially Instagram. There, I post daily lessons and motivational videos. I published two more ESL books, the Applied ESL Life Skills student workbook 2, and just this May published Signs Resource Book. People from my Applied ESL Instagram, who I call, the Applied ESL family, send me signs from their country, and I share them on my page. It’s a way to learn different street signs, store signs, instructions, and Covid-19 signs while learning about our different cities and countries. My goal is to put the ESL teaching profession on the map so we can receive the same respect as other professions. I hope to accomplish that through my work at Applied ESL.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, one of the challenges I’ve faced as an ESL teacher is being criticized for caring about my students “too much.” I love to be relatable. I want to be relatable in everything I do because when people can see or feel your authenticity, it alleviates stress and uncertainty. I didn’t have representation in the ESL profession, at least where I worked. I didn’t meet many Black teachers; I was often singled out or treated differently. They told me, “you’re too colorful,” “why do you care so much? They’re adults,” and “No one is going to take you seriously.” Comments like those bothered me, and my response has always been the same, “I am here to help my students learn English and make a difference. I am here for them.” Often, I had to prove myself when it came to conducting my ESL classes. They even questioned me about my educational background. “You don’t have a master’s?” some co-workers would ask me. My response was, “No, I don’t have a master’s, but I have 3 degrees.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Applied ESL?
Applied ESL is an online English tutoring service with a creative approach where I help adult learners build their confidence while practicing and improving their English-speaking skills. I tutor students one-to-one focusing on English communication, American formal and informal speech, listening, and pronunciation skills. I work with beginner to intermediate-level students. I also offer coaching calls for anyone interested in becoming an ESL teacher or new teachers needing help in classroom management, lesson planning, or motivation. Sometimes, we don’t always get support from other teachers. I want to offer my support and create a community of ESL teachers that can encourage and motivate each other. Part of my coaching service is job readiness training and resume preparation. What sets me apart from other ESL companies is I focus on life skills. All of my books, worksheets, and video lessons focus on how to communicate effectively in things we do in our daily lives, such as going to the doctor to buying food at a supermarket. My services are student/client-centered, where lessons and calls are centered on the needs and interests of the student and client.
I am proud to have gained an audience of students, teachers, and people who aren’t in the ESL profession who enjoy my content on social media. This is especially true with my sign project on Instagram. I have loved signs since childhood. It’s the inspiration behind writing the Signs Resource Book. I thank my mom for suggesting writing this book. Now, I get to include people from different cities, states, and countries to share their street signs with the Applied ESL family and me. The best part of being an ESL teacher and solopreneur is I get to do what I love, helping people one lesson at a time.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
My mother is my biggest supporter, mentor, and cheerleader. She is my best friend who has stood by me throughout my ESL teaching journey and all my trials and tribulations. She is why I wrote my ESL books and has given me the confidence to pursue my dream of becoming a business owner. I am forever grateful to her and her love. I also have to thank my high school teacher, Ms. Toney Teague. She encouraged me to use my voice when I felt afraid to stand in my truth. She encouraged me to write and allow that to be my voice and hopefully be the voice for the voiceless. Ms. Teague is also the inspiration behind going from wanting to become a geologist to now an ESL teacher. My friend, Adrienne, encouraged me to start a blog during my layoff. If I hadn’t blogged about my sadness, work experiences, and love for teaching, I wouldn’t be able to create content on social media and share my story with others. Also, I must thank the many students I’ve had the pleasure of teaching. I’ve learned more from them than they learned from me. Their support of me, from being a new teacher to now being a business owner (17 years later), has been a blessing in my life. I love them all and appreciate their support. Lastly, my Applied ESL family, the people who encourage me every day, the people who let me know how I inspire them, I appreciate their love and support. Even from different continents, we are one. My motto is, always try your best because when you try your best, you do your best.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.appliedesl.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/appliedesl
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/Applied_ESL
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/appliedesl
- Other: www.youtube.com/c/darakfulton
