Susan Atkins
Location
Room 1302 A
610 E. University Ave.
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1259
Susan Atkins is the lead faculty for the English Language Development (ELD) coursework associated with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) PK–12 ESL Endorsement at the University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education. Her work focuses on preparing educators to teach multilingual learners and to understand schooling within local and global contexts. As a Marsal School lecturer, she teaches literacy, language, and global education courses for future educators and students interested in exploring education more broadly. She also leads international education experiences in Latin America, including programs in Mexico and Ecuador. Susan believes that studying education in global contexts can be transformative, expanding perspectives, challenging assumptions, and deepening understanding of language, culture, and schooling. One of the most rewarding aspects of her work is witnessing how international experiences shift students’ thinking and open new possibilities for how they understand teaching and learning.
Susan began her career as a bilingual teacher in California, where she taught Spanish- and English-speaking students for 10 years. That experience shaped her commitment to ensuring that all multilingual learners have access to high-quality instruction and opportunities to build on their linguistic and cultural strengths. She enjoys supporting future educators in designing instruction that builds on students' strengths and draws upon the full range of their linguistic and cultural resources.
After moving to Michigan, Susan worked as a title III program administrator and English language development teacher before joining the staff at Mitchell Elementary School, where she collaborated with a University of Michigan team through the Mitchell Scarlett Teaching and Learning Collaborative. She has presented at the TESOL International Convention, the International Visual Literacy Association Conference, La Cosecha Dual Language Conference, and the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) Annual Conference. Susan also serves as a consultant for organizations and initiatives focused on multilingual learner education and instructional improvement.
Susan holds a master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley and received her bilingual teaching certification in California.