About Us

History of CEA

Founded in 1997, the Canadian English Academy (CEA) is a provider of high quality English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction to clients in the international marketplace. What began as an idealistic passion for promoting internationalism through cultural exchange has become a vehicle for delivering value-added services to government and industry. During CEA's first eight years of operation, "non-descript" Canadian English emerged as a preferred dialect in the international adoption of English as the language of commerce. Moreover, Canada has been ranked very highly on reading, science and mathematics skills in a recent landmark international study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Our mission is to deliver the highest quality ESL services to domestic and international markets through a practical curriculum designed to meet the diverse and changing needs of individuals, educators, institutions, industry and governments.

CEA has completed projects for Schlumberger, Hurricane Hydrocarbon, Lakeland College, NAIT, Canadian Petroleum Institute, and many more reputable companies and educational institutions.

Executive Profiles

Ron Horton - CEO and President
Mr. Horton is an award-winning educator, administrator and leader. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science and Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta and has a great deal of experience in the fields of ESL and International Education. Formerly a teacher and administrator for Elk Island Public Schools, Mr. Horton assisted in the establishment and coordination of their ESL and International student initiatives. He was also an Alberta Education Teacher of Excellence Award Finalist in 1997. Mr. Horton remains a member and collaborator of the Alberta Teachers Association's ESL Council as well as being a member of both TESL-Canada and ATESL. Ron Horton has lectured on ESL, Multiple Intelligences, and International Education.

Sean Mager - Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
Mr. Mager is an entrepreneur and administrator experienced in public and private sector governance, management, marketing, finance and communications. He earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree form the University of Alberta. Mr. Mager has served as COO, CFO and/or VP Corporate Development for various public, private and aboriginal companies with diverse interests in resources, logistics, industrial technology, retail, hospitality and property. His background includes project evaluation for the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta, business planning for the NWT Department of Health & Social Services, budgeting and evaluation for the NWT Financial Management (Treasury) Board, coordination of pilot projects in Public-Private Partnership, and corporate relations for a post-secondary international student organization and job exchange (AIESEC).

Dirk Durand - Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, Business Development
Mr. Durand is a successful contractor and consultant specializing in market research and marketing/business plans. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta. An excellent communicator and experienced ESL educator with TESOL certification, Mr. Durand has produced educational videos and is pursuing further certification in education, mediation and negotiation. Based in Daqing, he is responsible for coordinating CEA's course delivery and client development efforts in China.

Nancy Horton - Director of Administration

Erin Gregg - Director, Media Relations
Ms. Gregg is an accomplished journalist and broadcaster. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Regina. Ms. Gregg has worked in both print and broadcast media. She has worked for CBC Television in Winnipeg, Global Television in Edmonton and, most recently, the Vancouver Sun.

Board of Advisors

Emilie DeCorby - Board of Advisors
Mrs. DeCorby graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Education degree, with a major in Special Education. She has worked as a classroom teacher and an ESL teacher before becoming ESL Consultant for Edmonton Catholic Schools. She was responsible for establishing the district's ESL Centre as well as developing the ESL Liaison Worker project. Emilie has served in many positions on the Executive Committee of the ESL Specialist Council of the Alberta Teachers' Association since it was established in 1992, including president, communications director, conference director and professional development coordinator. She has presented on ESL issues at many different conferences locally, provincially and nationally. She has been involved with writing and reviewing curriculum and teacher resource materials at the local and provincial level. She has helped create teacher resources including the video Sharing Success with Alberta Learning. She was involved with the creation of the video Cultural Conversation: Diverse Cultures, Complex Teaching with the University of Alberta, which is currently used within their teacher training program. She has conducted and published research on high school ESL students. She has recently completed her Master's in Education degree, specializing in Administration and Leadership.

Helene Unger - Board of Advisors
Mrs. Unger has a Master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Adult Education. She is an educator, administrator and former principal, having spent 20 years with the Elk Island Public School Division where she won the Teacher Excellence Award in 1993. Helene is a member of ATA's ESL Specialist Council and served on the committee that established the first ESL programs in Strathcona County. She has presented at numerous provincial and national conferences and symposiums on Global Education and CTS (Career and Technology Studies) and has published many articles and teacher resources in her field. Helene is currently completing her Ph.D. in Administration and Leadership at the University of Alberta, with a focus on leadership in cultural diversity.

Kerri McLaughlin-Phillips - Board of Advisors
Mrs. McLaughlin-Phillips is an accomplished teacher and ESL professional. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, specializing in Language Development and Linguistics and a Bachelor of Education degree in Secondary English from the University of Alberta. After teaching High School English, she has worked in ESL education for more than fifteen years in Adult Education and Middle School. She has taught ESL in LINC programs, English for Specific Purposes, and as an ESL teacher/Dept. Head responsible for Sheltered Pull-Out Beginner Programs, and school-wide assessments and documentation. She has been active as President and Publication Director in the ESL specialist Council (ESLC) of the ATA, and holds memberships in TESOL, TESL and ATESL.