Some teachers leave marks in their students' lives that affect their future, goals
and dreams. Dr. Marcia Livingston strives to be one of these teachers. Her educational
and teaching background is extremely diverse, which allows her to relate to many students.
This is especially helpful since Livingston's special interest is found in TESL, Teaching
English as a Second Language. Here at ORU, Livingston serves as the TESL coordinator
and assistant professor in the Undergraduate School of Education.
Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Livingston completed her bachelor's degree in
Spanish at the University of the West Indies, and then received her MBA from Nova
Southeastern University in Florida. She recently received her Doctor of Education
degree from ORU.
Livingston, one of 12 children, taught kindergarten through high school in Jamaica
for 10 years, where she describes the educational system as "British," meaning that
teachers have to be experienced in teaching all subjects not just one in particular.
After teaching in Jamaica, she moved to the Bahamas where she taught K-12 again for
six years as well as teaching college business courses ranging from math to Spanish
to accounting. Following these experiences, Livingston moved to Florida and worked
with the Hispanic adult population in the federally-funded "Welfare to Work" program.
She then moved on to become the Director of the Undergraduate School of Business at
Florida Metropolitan University for six years. She worked on her doctorate degree
at ORU while teaching at FMU.
After moving to Oklahoma, Livingston taught TESL classes at Victory Bible Institute.
In addition to working at ORU, Livingston also teaches online business and critical
thinking classes for Phoenix University. Her well-rounded background helps her to
teach others in a better spectrum, especially considering the foreign languages she
teaches. Laughing, Livingston says, "I am convinced that God doesn't waste any experience!"
Although teaching is her real passion, she is also involved in her local church as
a deacon and in the intercessory ministry. She likes musical prayer and exercising.
Her favorite thing to do with her students here at ORU is to have them over at her
house and fellowship. Mentorship and discipleship are high on her priority list, as
well as giving back to her high school in Jamaica. She teaches professional development
training classes with the faculty at her old high school.