Guest article from teacher Elizabeth at 51Talk
My name is Mary Davisson; at 51Talk I teach under the name Miss Davisson (Elizabeth). I bring more than 30 years of experience in teaching and professional training, and joining 51Talk has been one of the most unexpected and rewarding turns in my career.
In 2017, while scanning my inbox, I opened a message from a recruiter that caught my eye. At first I was skeptical—I assumed it was a gimmick—but I read on and discovered an invitation to join a full-time online English teaching community. Curious, I followed up. The recruiter provided clear guidance and materials to prepare for the interview process. Within a week or two I completed the interviews, was offered a position, and began teaching online almost immediately.
Before this, my professional life was rooted in the corporate world and community education; I had never imagined myself teaching online. My background includes after-school programs, church institutes, women’s studies and empowerment groups, conferences, workshops, seminars, and STEM instruction for children at an after-school boys and girls club in Baltimore. Those experiences shaped my approach to instruction—student-centered, interactive, and practical—and they translated well to the online classroom.
Teaching at 51Talk pushed me beyond my comfort zone in the best possible way. Although our core responsibility is to teach English, the platform encourages us to use creative strategies and modern teaching methods to make lessons lively, meaningful, and motivating. I continually refine activities, use varied resources, and adapt my lessons so students stay engaged and feel empowered as they progress in their English skills. There is rarely a class that ends without my looking forward to the next meeting with a student.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this role has been the people I have met. The 51Talk community includes experienced teachers, dedicated tutors, passionate educators, and professionals from a wide range of industries and cultures. That diversity enriches teaching practices and provides opportunities for professional growth. The company structure supports teachers through leadership, coaching, and specialized roles—such as Teachers’ English Specialists (TES)—who help ensure lessons are effective and enjoyable. A leader I particularly appreciate is Isaac Jay, who listens to teachers and interacts with us in a supportive way.
My teaching assignments vary: I work with the children’s American Academy GC groups, serve as a GC substitute when needed, and teach one-on-one classes to children, middle-schoolers, and college students. Each student brings different goals and motivations, but across the board I have seen the same strong desire to improve English proficiency. Helping students develop confidence in speaking, comprehension, and practical communication skills is both an honor and a privilege.
Beyond language instruction, I view my role as supporting students’ broader learning journeys. Effective online teaching blends clear lesson design, patience, encouragement, and meaningful feedback. At 51Talk, parents and learners experience a dynamic educational environment where progress is visible and teaching is personalized to meet individual needs.
Joining 51Talk has expanded my professional horizons and introduced me to a global community focused on English education. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to students’ success and to collaborate with colleagues who share a commitment to empowering learners. Teaching online has renewed my passion for education and deepened my belief in the transformative power of language learning.