Jody Parkins started her career in teaching English as a Second Language in Tokyo, Japan where she served as an Assistant Language Teacher in the public school system. Upon returning home, she pursued and received a Masters in Applied Linguistics from Georgia State University in 2013. She attained her position at GTLI shortly after graduating. Since then she has taught academically-themed classes for beginner-advanced adult ESL students. 

Parkins teaching style endorses communicative-language-teaching methods and aspects of student-centered learning. Over the years she has also participated in the One Project on campus and served as a volunteer at the Literacy Volunteers of Atlanta, and Welcoming Atlanta. 

She was born in Kingston Jamaica, and raised in Atlanta Georgia. Her bicultural upbringing sparked her interest in intercultural exchanges both domestically and internationally. In her free-time, Jody enjoys food- touring around her home city by car, bike, or train, gardening at home, blogging, and spending time with family.