Gillian Ober completed her undergraduate degree in Hispanic Language and Literature and English from Boston University in 2014, where she worked as a tutor in the Boston University Writing Center. Upon graduating, she moved to Spain to work as a language and cultural assistant for the Spanish Ministry of Education. In 2016, she was accepted into the competitive fellowship program, Princeton in Asia, and spent a year teaching in a high school in southern Thailand.
Having found a love of teaching in Thailand, Gillian decided to pursue a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Monmouth University, and graduated in 2018 with certifications in English as a Second Language and Spanish Education. During her time at Monmouth, she found a passion for research and worked closely with Dr. Cathy Wong to co-author a number of academic papers as well as a book chapter. Because of this research and her performance throughout the Masters program, she was awarded the Excellence in English as a Second Language Award and the Dean’s Award for Completed Research by the university. In recognition of her work during the student teaching clinical experience, she was also awarded with the 2019 Distinguished Clinical Intern Award by the New Jersey Department of Education.
Upon graduation, Gillian taught Spanish at Manasquan High School for one year, but eventually found her calling in the field of English as a Second Language (ESL). She returned to Monmouth, but in the role of adjunct professor in the School of Education, running courses on teaching English Language Learners. Gillian currently works for the Freehold Borough school district as a 5th grade English as a Second Language teacher, and specializes in working with Newcomer students and Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE). She continues to teach at Monmouth University, and is now pursuing another Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.