Maria Schirta

M.A., Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), with concentration in Teaching
English as a Second Language (ESL) in Higher Education, New Jersey City University
Diploma in Advanced Studies in Russian Linguistics, University of Bucharest
B.A., English and Russian, University of Bucharest

Classes: Introduction to ESL Writing; Introduction to ESL Grammar in Writing; Introduction to ESL Reading; Introduction to ESL Academic Discussion; ESL Writing Levels I, II, III, and IV; ESL Grammar in Writing Levels I, II, III, and IV; ESL Reading Levels I, II, and III; and ESL Academic Discussion Levels I, II, and III.

Professor Schirta joined HCCC as an adjunct in 2003, and became a full-time faculty member in 2008. She enjoys teaching all levels of ESL courses and takes special pleasure in seeing her students’ transformations, especially former students, who have earned their degrees.

Professor Schirta has served on various HCCC committees, such as the All College Council - Student Affairs, Curriculum and Instruction, Alternative Measures, and ESL Scoring committee. She has attended national and state TESOL Conferences, and presented at NJTESOL, Tri-State Best Practices Conference, and at HCCC Professional Development Days.

Professor Schirta is a 2020 NISOD Excellence Award recipient. She is the co-publisher of Diversity, the ESL student magazine for essays. The bi-annual publication celebrates current and former ESL students who write about overcoming struggles and achieving their dreams in a new country by utilizing education as a path to success.