Meet Julie Ressler of Atlanta English Institute

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Ressler of Atlanta English Institute.

Julie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was an English language instructor in my home country of South Korea when I chose to move to the United States, settling in Atlanta, GA. The history of the Atlanta English Institute (AEI) begins here. While our story is rich and filled with miraculous events too numerous to tell here, I still remember the beginnings of our journey with fondness and pride.

It was cold outside but I had a vision. Many beginnings start with struggle and our story was no different. By God’s grace, I planned to help people with the acquisition of English as a Second Language. But I felt like I was trying to sell sand in the Sahara. I had no power or strength and I was boldly hanging on by faith. Nevertheless, I believed that it was a pre-designed journey to help others. So early on that cold morning, I set out to find a place for my new school.

I randomly drove about in Norcross, Lilburn, on Jimmy Carter Blvd, and Buford Hwy. I started to make calls about available space. Mostly, I found lease requirements that I couldn’t meet: business insurance, minimum space, etc. Then I came across one location in Doraville on Buford Highway. It became the first building for my dream.

Amazing grace was at work and it was super easy to get started. I signed the contract, obtain furnishings, etc. and it became the perfect space to start, with two classrooms and a lobby area. After signing the lease, the agent who helped me said that the space was just right for a school. I believe the place was destined for AEI.

With a little work and a lot of help from others-desks made by hand, advertisements placed, instructors hired, and continuous prayer support from my church — the Atlanta English Institute opened with 15 students on February 15, 1993.

And now, we are the oldest such school of our kind in Atlanta, open to every nationality, ambitious young international students and professionals from all over the world by providing intensive English instruction, test preparation (TOEFL, BEC-Higher, GRE, GMAT, USMLE), and tutoring to non-native speakers from beginner to master levels and serving more than 23,000 students.

AEI is honored to have two significant accreditations including AdvancED, SACS CASI (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools council on Accreditation and School Improvement) since 2003 and CEA (Commission on English Language Program Accreditation), a specialized and prestigious body with expertise in intensive English language programs in 2013, recognized by US Department of Education. In addition, the school has been approved by SEVP, USCIS since 1999 to welcome and enroll non-immigrant students (SEVIS I-20/F-1 Student Visa) pursuing their studies in the USA.

I am proud of our school and our accomplishments. I still believe in serving others and helping non-native speakers pursue their dreams in English.

We positioned locally, but impact globally.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were many challenges alongside with countless blessings: when the School had to move to the current location, when the Accreditation Act passed which required ESL programs to be accredited by a specific agency and we had to close one of programs due to the new requirements, and so on.

It was humbling, yet we continued to work with amazing people that were ready and willing to spend their time, energy, talent, and ability to help us see our vision through.

Even through the challenges, I cannot help but feel blessed. Those difficult times allowed us to be in the place where we are today.

Atlanta English Institute – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
AEI has a reputation for providing superior English instruction and being a communication specialist since 1993.

Our mission is to provide intensive English instruction, test preparation, and tutoring to non-native speakers from beginner to mastery levels. Our Intensive English Program includes 7 levels of academic coursework including: reading, writing, speaking, listening, and vocabulary building. The school aims to build solid academic foundations and foster communication as well as the skills and knowledge a student needs to achieve personal, professional, and academic success. AEI also provides test preparation for the TOEFL, BEC-Higher, GRE, GMAT, and USMLE exams, which are designed to assist our students when seeking admission to colleges and universities in the USA. Our tutoring program is tailored to meet the particular needs of the student. Further, AEI is offering the Corporate English tailored to those companies needing workplace English for their employees by an on-site visit.

Our student body is comprised of academic-oriented adults averaging 20-30 years of age, many with advanced degrees from their home countries. AEI maintains a student-centered learning environment helping students achieve personal, academic, and professional goals. Our instructors are highly qualified with extensive experience and credentials for teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). The staff and administrators work hard to consider each student as an individual and to provide a nurturing learning environment. Our maximum number of students per class is 15, and the school will make every effort to open a class for as few as three students.

The school is safe and accommodating with ample facilities for students to access equipment, supplies, and resources.

With the technical objectives described above, I cannot help but talk about the people: faculty and staff at AEI. They are professional, dedicated, willing, and compassionate with what they are doing. They value the school’s mission we take it seriously.

This spirit reflects in all their and our work by evidencing caring our students deeply and providing a safe, comfortable, and educationally nurturing environment which sets us apart from others.

Both the very fine-tuned excellent academic curriculum and the caring and nurturing spirit lead us to be not only unique as an institution, but also grant the highest returns of student investment.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I would say that not only have I been honored and grateful for the privilege to be involved in the personal and educational development of thousands of wonderful and ambitious young men and women from all over the world whose needs and dreams are similar to what mine were.

I have also had the opportunity to work alongside some of the most passionate, professional, and committed instructors and staff who value dearly what we are doing at AEI.