Ascher joined CMAA in 2022 as the IT Bridge Instructor. Together with other members of the Adult Education and Workforce Development departments, they are developing and implementing a new IT Bridge program. They focus on planning curriculum as well as teaching adult learners the essential computer skills needed to navigate job searches.

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Ascher is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and has taught both English and Mandarin since 2016. They hold a Bachelor’s degree in East Asian studies from the University of Maryland Global Campus. While completing this degree, they specialized in Chinese linguistics and culture. Ascher lived and worked in Beijing, China for four years, teaching English to children and basic Mandarin to recently arrived English teachers. They loved the opportunity to explore East Asia and discover the incredible diversity of the region. When COVID-19 struck in 2020, Ascher moved back to Chicago and has continued their teaching journey both as a freelance tutor, and as an ESL instructor with CMAA.

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FUN FACT | Ascher has 13 siblings, including one sister who was adopted from China and loves getting together to speak Chinese and eat delicious food from home.