Krista Bittenbender Royal is a senior faculty member at the University of South Florida's English Language Program. She teaches English for International Students 1 and 2 and non-credit EAP classes in the INTO USF Academic English Program. As Special Programs Coordinator, she managed the English for Academic Purposes classes, SPEAK testing and courses provided for USF's International Teaching Assistants, the INTO USF International Pre-University English Summer Program, and other special short term programs, including the former USF ELI Summer Mini-Institute, an ESP course for post-doctoral researchers, English classes for Caribbean teachers, and the USF component of an intensive teacher-training program for Korean EFL teachers. Before coming to USF, she taught German and ESOL at a public high school in Pasco County, Florida. She has been teaching language learners since 2002 and has her MA in Applied Linguistics/TESL from the University of South Florida. Her research interests span various aspects of TESL, including areas within curriculum and instruction, such as teaching with mindfulness, integrating technology into education and promoting media literacy, as well as social issues, such as service learning and creating supportive environments for LGBTQ students and faculty in ESL programs.