About us
Lisa DiIorio
Co-Founder and Educator
Lisa has over 30 years of experience as an educator, working with students in the U.S., Africa, and Europe. She has designed and delivered English curriculum at an innovative pan-African secondary school in South Africa, a start-up Central European leadership academy, a refugee camp in Serbia and a college preparation program in Rwanda, and at several New England secondary schools.
Most recently, she was the Director of English Language Learning at the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center. Lisa holds a BA from Bates College, an MA from Dartmouth College, and is ESOL certified. She has a strong passion and deep experience for transformative education that leads to positive change.
Meghan Condry
Co-Founder and Educator
Meghan Condry is a graduate of Providence College (BA) and Boston College (MSW). She has taught in the US and abroad, and worked with high school, adult, and vocational tech students.
She has 15 years of experience working in education and social services. Meghan is ESOL certified.
Our name
Maine’s birch tree is known for growing quickly, bending but not breaking, and supplying resources and beauty.
We work with adult language learners who are resilient in building their lives and careers, and we partner with employers and organizations committed to fostering the growth needed to thrive.
We plant the seeds of communication that empower New Mainers and cultivate Maine’s economic growth. As part of that mission, we teach free weekly community English classes and are a part of the Portland ESOL Collaborators Group.
Together, we combine over 45 years of experience and have both led the English Language Education Program at Portland's Immigrant Welcome Center.