Meet Instructor Teresa Pargeter

“I really enjoy getting to know each of our students,” says longtime instructor Teresa Pargeter, who has been with UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education International Programs since 2006. As an English language instructor, she has taught various topics, including grammar, reading and writing, business English, slang and public speaking. Her extensive teaching experience (more than 30 years) includes a wide range of ages and language abilities. Pargeter has taught in Taiwan, Japan, China and Vietnam, and has also travelled throughout Europe, Canada, Mexico and Chile. 

Pargeter currently teaches Academic Literacy for the Academic Engagement Track program, as well as Hot Topics in American Culture for some of the Short-Term Content-Based Programs. She is a recipient of UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Outstanding Service Award for Teaching. “My classes may be hard,” says Pargeter, “but I think students will be able to get a lot out of them. And I want to help them learn!” 

Let’s get to know more about her. 

What do you want students to take away from your courses? 


I want students to not only enjoy English but to also be able to continue learning long after they leave school. My number-one goal is for my students not to need me! It sounds kind of funny, but being able to learn on your own is a real skill, and I hope to help my students develop this ability. 
 


What do you enjoy most about teaching? 


I love watching my students get something that they didn't understand before. I also love hearing what my students think, whether it's about a topic we're covering in class or something outside of class. I'm always so interested in what people have to say. 

What do you value most about working with the international community? 


I love seeing our international community come together. At the beginning of the program, we don't know each other, yet by the end, people have formed lifelong friendships. That's something special. 
 


What is your favorite thing about UC Davis? 


We have such a great campus and town filled with friendly and kind people. We have great weather and so many awesome opportunities. Our international students often come from great big cities and coming to Davis can be a surprise because it's so different, but because of the welcoming environment here, students can form really strong friendships.