UDON THAO

As Supervisor of Adult Literacy, Udon coordinates adult education classes for English language learners in Elgin. She coordinates registration, administers assessments, supports ESL instructors, teaches English, and engages in community outreach to expand programming. Her experiences as a Hmong-American in the U.S. play a pivotal role in her passion for uplifting and creating intentional spaces for minoritized communities. She has been with CMAA since February of 2022. 
 
Udon holds a Bachelor's in Linguistics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied language and structure - specifically Hmong and English. In addition to language studies, Udon completed her TESOL certification, which boosted her love for teaching and working closely with English language learners. She has 5+ years of experience teaching both ABE and ESL learners in literacy-based programs. She has always advocated for underserved communities - finding ways to uplift voices through her social justice work.
 
Fun fact: Udon has a really cool birthmark on her eye!