Lavern G.  Byfieldis Associate Professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, USA. Her publications and research are in the areas of language acquisition, English Language Arts instruction for diverse populations, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, and culturally responsive pedagogy. A former classroom teacher, she has 22 years of teaching experience at the primary and tertiary levels, combined. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses and advises/mentors doctoral students and candidates.

Jean Kayais Assistant Professor in Language and Literacy Education at the University of Windsor, Canada. His research focuses on teacher education, international education and intercultural learning, identities, and critical literacies as a framework to mediate issues of social justice.