Dr. Tacor Sims Selected by the U.S. Department of State to Lead Virtual ESL Educator Trainings for CECATI’s Network of 200+ Centers in Mexico

(File Photo: Dr. Tacor Sims during a previous Educator of the Year recognition event in Houston.)

Highlight: Collaborative Teacher Input Informs Instructional Planning and Shapes Virtual Training Strategy

Texas - Dr. Tacor Sims, founder of Emergent Bilingual Institute (EBI), has been selected by the U.S. Department of State to lead virtual ESL educator training for CECATI’s network of more than 200 centers in Mexico. This appointment is part of Dr. Sims’ engagement with the U.S. English Language Programs, a global initiative that brings together U.S. embassies, virtual educators, and international institutions to foster cross-cultural collaboration and strengthen English language education.

A professional development series for educators is now underway, with Dr. Sims overseeing the next 12 weeks of instruction. During this time, she is facilitating online ESL training for two cohorts of instructors across the CECATI network, which includes vocational training centers in Mexico and serves students ages 15 into adulthood.

Through this partnership, Dr. Sims is supporting educators by expanding continuing education opportunities for English instructors in Mexico and offering remote sessions that strengthen TESOL instruction, enhance language-centered classroom practices, and increase student engagement through modernized learning approaches.

Program Highlight: Collaborative Teacher Input

As part of the program’s initial phase, Dr. Sims conducted interviews with participating educators from more than 25 CECATI training centers to better understand their teaching environments and professional goals. After two weeks of individual consultation sessions, nearly 50 instructors are now taking part in the virtual training, and that number continues to grow. 

Early feedback from CECATI leadership affirmed the value of Dr. Sims’ personalized questions as part of a broader teacher-informed planning process. “The questions prepared will give very good insight into the groups. I’ve shared a brief presentation about our school system to provide additional context on the needs of our educators and the student population we serve,” said Elvis Ian Ramírez Vázquez, director of CECATI 95.

Dr. Sims said the collaboration was essential to the program’s preparation and to shaping the resources and digital strategies shared during the English workshops. “These conversations helped me ensure the training materials, modeled lessons, and teaching approaches were aligned with the needs of English instructors in Mexico and their ESL students.”

About the CECATI Network of Schools

CECATI (Centros de Capacitación para el Trabajo Industrial) is a network of over 200 vocational training centers across Mexico that provides workforce and technical education for older teens and adult learners. The system supports skills development and educational pathways that prepare students for careers across a wide range of industries.

About the Virtual Educator: Dr. Tacor Sims

Since 2011, Dr. Sims has taught English and English as a Second Language at both the K-12 and college levels. She has also led educator training, instructional coaching, and curriculum design, with a focus on effective instruction, student engagement, and educator longevity. As executive director of Emergent Bilingual Institute (EBI), she leads professional development and educator consulting services. She also supports EB Digital School, EBI’s secondary education initiative, which offers flexible diploma pathways for students worldwide. Alongside her work at EBI, she serves as a Texas-based college professor of English for learners from a wide range of academic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds.

Dr. Sims hopes to continue teaching and working with educators across the United States and abroad through live and self-paced training opportunities.