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Heather Choate:
- Came to Oasis Training Center from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
- Received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Longwood College (1973) in Farmville, Virginia and worked in cancer research for several years
- Received a Master’s degree in TESOL from Oklahoma City University (2003) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Director and co-founder of Oasis Training Center
- Was a charter crew member in Mercy Ships and spent 16 years in service on ship
- Teacher, Ware Academy, Gloucester, Virginia (1993-96): Middle school science and computer
- Principal, Gloucester Christian Academy in Gloucester, Virginia (1996-97)
- Married to Dennis Choate since 1980
- Mother of Amy Choate Manning and Kristy Choate
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Diane Williamson:
- Came to Oasis Training Center from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
- Completed Bachelor of Science (1975) at University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma
- Received TESOL certification in 2003
- Co-founded Oasis Training Center in 2002, continuing to return to teach 2 quarters each year
- Taught conversational English for 8 years to international students and their spouses
- First visit to China was in 1998 with GANSU, INC. volunteer eye surgeon team from U.S.
- Continued voluntary English teaching in Ping Liang, Gansu for 6-week stints at local middle schools, bringing family and friends to assist
- Professional vocation as a primary school teacher for 4 years, real estate agent/broker for 7 years, and ophthalmic medical assist. for 20 years
- Married to Mike Williamson since 1974
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Dennis Choate:
- Came to Oasis Training Center from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
- 5 years classroom teaching experience
- Served in the United States Army for four years
- Has extensive hands-on experience with computers, bookkeeping, maintenance, carpentry
- Has extensive travel experience in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and other parts of the world
- Served in Mercy Ships for 19 years
- Married to Heather Choate since 1980
- Father to Amy Choate Manning and Kristy Choate
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Chris Wiebe:
- Came to Oasis from Overland Park, Kansas, USA
- Graduated from Kansas State University (2001) in Manhattan, Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering
- Studied with a student-exchange program for four months in the Czech Republic
- Spent 2 months studying Chinese in Dalian (2000)
- 5 years teaching experience in small group venues
- 2 years classroom teaching experience
- Worked as a Mechanical Engineer for five years
- Became licensed with the Kansas Board of Professional Engineers (2007)
- Married to Diane Wiebe since 2001
- Father to Jonah, born in 2003, and Eliza, born in 2005, and Myla, born in 2008
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Diane Wiebe:
- Came to Oasis Training Center from Overland Park, Kansas, USA
- Completed a Bachelor of Arts (2002) at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas with a major in Spanish and a minor in Anthropology
- Has 6 years teaching experience in small group venues and tutoring
- 2 years of classroom teaching experience
- Worked for 6 years as a free-lance graphic designer
- Married to Chris Wiebe since 2001
- Mother to Jonah, born in 2003, and Eliza, born in 2005, and Myla, born in 2008
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Christy Taylor:
- Came to Oasis Training Center from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
- Graduate from Angelo State University (2000) in San Angelo, Texas and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education
- Has 4 years of experience teaching 3rd grade
- Has 1 year of experience teaching 5th grade
- Has 1 year of experience teaching 7th grade English
- Coached volleyball and track
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Lori Ryan:
- Came to Oasis Training Center from Portland, Oregon, USA
- Graduated from San Diego State University (1982) in San Diego, California with a Bachelor of Science in Business
- Recieved a Master of Education, TESOL from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon (2009)
- Has 8 years English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching experience
- Married to Charlie Ryan since 1974
- Mother to Jessica Ryan
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Charlie Ryan:
- Came to Oasis from Portland, Oregon, USA
- Graduated from Oregon State University (1974) in Corvallis, Oregon with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry
- Graduated from National University, San Diego, California (1982) with a Master of Business Administration in Finance
- Was an advanced jet flight instructor in the United States Navy for two years
- Was an Assistant Swimming Coach for a High School team in Milwaukie, Oregon from 2001-2004
- Has served on various Portland, Oregon Business Association Committees
- Married to Lori Ryan since 1974
- Father to Jessica Ryan
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Leon Aksionczyk:
- Came to OTC from Alameda, California, USA
- Graduated from University of Massachusetts (1963), in Amherst, Massachusetts, with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
- Graduated from New College (1982), in Berkeley, California, with Masters in Christian Studies
- Licensed as a Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering for 25 years
- Served in the United States Navy, Civil Engineering Corps, for 21 years
- High School Mathematics Teacher at the Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School (SJND), in Alameda, California for 21 years
- High School Class Advisor at SJND for 15 years
- Boys Varsity High School Soccer Coach for 10 years
- Has extensive travel experience in Japan
- Father of Michael Leon Aksionczyk
- Grandfather Mikey, Shaun, Nia, and Peyton
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Paul Swanson:
- Came to Oasis Training Center from Golden Valley, Minnesota, USA
- Completed Associate of Arts from North Park Jr. College in Chicago, Illinois (1953)
- Completed Bachelor of Arts from Western Reserve University, Adelbert College, in Cleveland, Ohio (1955)
- Received Teaching Certification and Credentials, Social Studies from Augsburg College and University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota (1970)
- Worked as a teacher and Department Chairman at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, Minnesota from August 1966 to June 2003
- Has short-term teaching and community service experience in Slovakia, Taiwan, Mexico, and with the Eskimos in Alaska
- Has worked as a counselor and caregiver at a camp for disable youth
- Father to Steven Swanson and his wife Barb; David Swanson and his wife Jill; and Sarah Swanson
- Grandfather to Catherine and Carl
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Krista Waller:
- Came to Oasis from Bel Air, Maryland, USA
- Graduated from Grove City College (2004) in Grove City, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
- Worked as an Architectural Designer for 4 years
- Has 8 years teaching experience in small group venues, as well as 4 years of experience teaching large groups in various subjects
- Has 1 year experience as an assistant instructor for an art school
- Spent the summers of 2004 and 2009 in a language/culture exchange and teaching English
Coached soccer sports camps
- Team leader on construction service projects (New Orleans, Alabama, Habitat for Humanity)
- Director of Living Christmas Tree assembly/tear down - 2 years
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