Hi, I'm Marla McDaniels Heath. I’m an educator and performer with over two decades of ESL instruction and nonprofit leadership. Since 2009 I’ve served as an ESL Adjunct at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, and I’ve taught ESL at Norwalk Community College. I also lead The Jimmy McDaniels Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that grows scholarships for instrumental musicians in higher education, supporting students at Butler University and Miles College. I’m passionate about helping English learners thrive academically and personally, and I enjoy blending language education with the arts. My background as an opera performer and voice instructor, plus experience coordinating language training and student services, complements my work in program development and community outreach. I’ve organized events, led leadership and public service initiatives, and mentored students as they transition from high school to college.…

Marla McDaniels Heath

Hi, I'm Marla McDaniels Heath. I’m an educator and performer with over two decades of ESL instruction and nonprofit leadership. Since 2009 I’ve served as an ESL Adjunct at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, and I’ve taught ESL at Norwalk Community College. I also lead The Jimmy McDaniels Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that grows scholarships for instrumental musicians in higher education, supporting students at Butler University and Miles College. I’m passionate about helping English learners thrive academically and personally, and I enjoy blending language education with the arts. My background as an opera performer and voice instructor, plus experience coordinating language training and student services, complements my work in program development and community outreach. I’ve organized events, led leadership and public service initiatives, and mentored students as they transition from high school to college.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Marla McDaniels Heath. I’m an educator and performer with over two decades of ESL instruction and nonprofit leadership. Since 2009 I’ve served as an ESL Adjunct at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, and I’ve taught ESL at Norwalk Community College. I also lead The Jimmy McDaniels Foundation, a 501©(3) nonprofit that grows scholarships for instrumental musicians in higher education, supporting students at Butler University and Miles College.

I’m passionate about helping English learners thrive academically and personally, and I enjoy blending language education with the arts. My background as an opera performer and voice instructor, plus experience coordinating language training and student services, complements my work in program development and community outreach. I’ve organized events, led leadership and public service initiatives, and mentored students as they transition from high school to college.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent
Italian
Intermediate

Work Experience

ESL Adjunct at Sacred Heart University
January 1, 2009 - Present
Taught Critical Thinking courses within the English Language Institute, focusing on ESL students since 2009. Delivered curriculum and instruction to enhance students' English communication and critical thinking skills.
ESL Adjunct at Norwalk Community College
January 1, 2001 - Present
Instructed Credit ESOL Level 1 students and coordinated the "Bridge to Credit" program helping high school seniors develop academic and leadership skills for college readiness. Supervised tutors and organized co-curricular activities to enrich student engagement.
President at The Jimmy McDaniels Foundation
January 1, 2009 - Present
Led the non-profit organization focused on raising scholarships for instrumental musicians in higher education. Managed fundraising, marketing, correspondence, donor database, and budgeting for a $10,000 annual budget. Organized events such as premiering the traveling exhibit "The Leader of the Band" and awarded multiple scholarships.
Elementary Music Teacher / Voice Instructor at Darien High School / Stamford, CT
January 1, 1980 - Present
Taught elementary music education and provided voice instruction with ongoing involvement since 1980. Engaged in community opera performances and education initiatives to bring opera to local schools and audiences.
Executive Language Trainer at Private Clients, Stamford, CT
December 31, 2010 - July 18, 2025
Trained and coached international film producers and actresses in English language skills during 2010, enhancing their communication for the film industry.
ESL Adjunct at Sacred Heart University
January 1, 2009 - October 29, 2025
Adjunct teaching in Critical Thinking and ESL; professional instruction methods; IT literacy; ability to work with diverse student populations; supports institutional mission.
ESL Adjunct at Norwalk Community College
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011
ESL instruction; teaching; supervision and coordination of tutoring; involvement in co-curricular activities and student leadership initiatives.
Trainer and Coach at Emanuella Minoli / Roberta Lena (Italian film producers/actress)
December 31, 2010 - December 31, 2010
Trainer and Coach for Italian film professionals.
Executive Language Trainer at Stamford, CT
January 1, 2010 - October 29, 2025
Executive language training; English language instruction; tailored language programs.
Elementary Music Teacher at Darien High School
January 1, 1999 - October 29, 2025
Elementary music instruction; program development and classroom teaching.
Voice Instructor at Stamford, CT
January 1, 1980 - October 29, 2025
Opera and voice instruction; performance coaching; outreach through opera education in schools.
President at The Jimmy McDaniels Foundation (501(c)(3) nonprofit)
January 1, 2009 - October 29, 2025
President; fundraising, marketing, donor relations; managing annual budget and donor database; traveling exhibit premiere; scholarships awarded to Butler University and Miles College.
ESL Adjunct / Instructor at Sacred Heart University
January 1, 2009 - October 29, 2025
Adjunct Instructor responsible for professional competence in subject disciplines, instructional techniques and methodology, serving diverse student populations, and supporting institutional missions. Demonstrates information technology literacy and strong oral/written communication.
ESL Adjunct at Norwalk Community College
December 31, 2011 - December 31, 2011
ESL Adjunct delivering instructional services, contributing to student success, and supporting college readiness through teaching and assessments.
Trainer and Coach at Independent clients (Emanuella Minoli, Roberta Lena)
January 1, 2010 - October 29, 2025
Provided trainer/coach services for Italian film producer Emanuella Minoli and actress/producer Roberta Lena, focusing on language and performance coaching.
Executive Language Trainer / English Language Trainer at Independent/Contract
January 1, 2010 - October 29, 2025
Executive language training and English language instruction delivered in Stamford, CT.
Elementary Music Teacher at Darien High School
December 31, 1999 - December 31, 1999
Elementary music instruction responsibilities at Darien High School, contributing to school's music program development.

Education

B.M. at Indiana University, School of Music, Bloomington, Indiana
January 1, 1976 - December 31, 1976
Post Grad at Indiana University, School of Music, Bloomington, Indiana
January 1, 1977 - December 31, 1977
Master Equivalent Certificate at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia, PA
January 1, 1980 - December 31, 1980
Master Equivalent Certificate at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia, PA
January 1, 1980 - October 29, 2025
Post Grad at Indiana University, School of Music, Bloomington, IN
January 1, 1977 - October 29, 2025
B.M. at Indiana University, School of Music, Bloomington, IN
January 1, 1976 - October 29, 2025
Master Equivalent Certificate at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia, PA
January 1, 1980 - January 1, 1980
Post Grad at Indiana University, School of Music, Bloomington, IN
January 1, 1977 - January 1, 1977
B.M. at Indiana University, School of Music, Bloomington, Indiana
January 1, 1976 - January 1, 1976

Qualifications

TESOL Certificate of Completion
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
BPOP-Best Practice of Online Performance
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Mental Health for Study Abroad
July 27, 2017 - July 27, 2017
Summer Institute Sacred Heart University
May 15, 2017 - May 15, 2017
GE Scholar – Presenter – Expressing Yourself through Spoken Word
February 1, 2015 - February 1, 2015
TESOL Virtual Seminar
February 20, 2015 - February 20, 2015
TESOL Applied Linguistics Conference
March 7, 2015 - March 7, 2015
TESOL Mini Conference, NYC
October 17, 2015 - October 17, 2015
TESOL Advocacy Summit, Washington, D.C.
June 22, 2014 - June 22, 2014
Synchronous Online Sessions Using WebEx, Sacred Heart University
October 9, 2014 - October 9, 2014
ConnTESOL Conference – Presenter: Advocacy for English Learners
October 25, 2014 - October 25, 2014
Retaining International Students - Designing Support - ESL Conference
December 17, 2014 - December 17, 2014
Pearson/Longman - Great Teachers Series Part 3 - The Hammer Lectures
April 18, 2013 - April 18, 2013
Teaching Strategies for Students with Special Needs
April 19, 2013 - April 19, 2013
Pearson/Longman - Great Teachers Series Part 4 - The Hammer Lectures
June 19, 2013 - June 19, 2013
Pearson/Longman - Great Teachers Series Part 2 - The Jeremy Hammer Lectures
August 1, 2013 - August 1, 2013
College and Career Readiness (CCR) Standards - Vocabulary
November 4, 2013 - November 4, 2013
College and Career Readiness (CCR) Standards - Writing
November 19, 2013 - November 19, 2013
TESOL Certificate of Completion
January 1, 2008 - October 29, 2025
TESOL Certificate of Completion
January 1, 2008 - October 29, 2025
TESOL Certificate of Completion
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2008
TESOL Certificate of Completion
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2008

Industry Experience

Education, Non-Profit Organization, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Other

Skills

Experience Level