Welcome back to our Teacher Feature Series, where we speak with educators who teach online across borders. Today we share the story of Serena Dawn Bloom and her work with 51Talk American Academy—now known as HAWO American Academy—and her experience as an online ESL teacher.
Serena, please tell us about yourself and your work with 51Talk/HAWO American Academy.
My name is Serena Dawn Bloom. I am an ESL teacher with a BS in Human Development and an AS in Business Administration. I trained as a certified EMT and have extensive non-degree college coursework in biology, human physiology, chemistry, microbiology, physics, and computer science. I am currently pursuing an MS in Education. Teaching online with HAWO American Academy (formerly 51Talk) allows me to combine my academic background and passion for education in a remote teaching environment focused on English language learning.
How did you land your role at 51Talk/HAWO American Academy, and how long have you been with the company?
I’ve been with 51Talk/HAWO American Academy for a little over a year. I applied after a friend who teaches told me the company was hiring. At the time I was tutoring a family and working one-on-one with three young girls. The position sounded like an exciting opportunity, so I applied, interviewed, and was hired within the same week. Before teaching online, most of my experience was with adult learners: I tutored ESL graduate students in literature and English, taught medically based courses while serving in the military, and led an emergency medical care certification course. I also spent a year and a half as an in-home nanny for twins and an older child, focusing on early development and reading skills.
What are two things you find most rewarding about teaching for HAWO American Academy?
First, building relationships with students. Online teaching gives you a chance to learn about kids as individuals. When students trust you, they share their achievements—“Teacher Serena, I made this!”—and those moments are deeply rewarding. Sharing interests and passions with students—what I jokingly call “nerding out” together—creates connection and makes learning memorable.
Second, seeing English open doors. Teaching English can lead students to higher education and better job opportunities. It broadens horizons and creates chances that might otherwise remain closed. Helping students reach those goals is one of the purest forms of educational reward: you’re not just teaching language; you’re helping shape futures.
Online teaching can be very rewarding. Can you share a surprising experience?
What surprised me most is how much I’ve come to care for my students. Despite the boundaries we’re taught to observe, those emotional connections develop naturally. When a student is sad or triumphant, I feel it. Their successes become my successes. Many students turn to their online teachers for advice and comfort, and I welcome that responsibility. They are not just faces on a screen; they are people with hopes and challenges, and that personal connection is a powerful part of online ESL and remote education.
Some teachers resist online teaching. What two pieces of advice would you offer educators considering this path?
First, try it. I was hesitant at first; I’m an introvert by nature. Teaching online has stretched me in ways that felt freeing. The classroom dynamic—singing, playing games, laughing, and learning together—creates a relaxed and joyful environment. Second, embrace learning from your students. Let them change you as much as you change them. Be open to unfamiliar methods and cultures; this is what education and professional growth are about.
If you were mentoring a new teacher, what would you emphasize?
Patience. Be patient with yourself and with your students. Don’t demand perfection or penalize every imperfect word. Celebrate the effort students make; many are attempting something most of us never do. Encourage relentlessly and lead gently. Build confidence by recognizing progress rather than focusing only on mistakes.
What is one interesting thing we might not know about you?
When I was eight I wanted to be Indiana Jones—cooler and with a bigger hat. I also love dinosaurs. I keep a dinosaur figure on my desk and own an inflatable T-Rex costume. I’m an adult and I do what I want.
Who has influenced you the most, and how did they change you?
The twin girls I cared for over nearly two years influenced me deeply. Teaching them taught me the joy of watching small triumphs—like the day they learned to walk—become shared victories. Those moments crystallized my love for teaching and caregiving.
What’s something you wish everyone knew about you?
My life has had real hardships—fighting cancer, surviving a difficult marriage, coping with child loss—but I’ve endured and found meaning in resilience. Life is hard, but there is beauty even in the gray areas.
How could the education system be improved?
Stop forcing every child into one mold. Shape the system around learners, not the other way around. Let students discover their passions and talents rather than measuring intelligence only by test scores. A child who struggles with one subject may excel creatively, scientifically, or socially. We should celebrate diverse strengths and nurture curiosity. Education should unlock potential, not constrain it.