The Real Work of Authenticity: Teacher Will on Identity, Accents, & Building a Global Community

Authenticity isn’t a buzzword—it’s a strategy, a mindset, and sometimes a survival skill.In this episode of Real Work, Jennifer Tarle sits down with Teacher Will (Ask Teacher Will), an educator, mentor, and community builder whose journey spans business development, international teaching, and leadership in adult education.From getting laid off on his birthday during the 2008 financial crisis, to earning his TESOL certification, to spending 2011–2022 teaching and training in Saudi Arabia, Will explains how discipline, curiosity, and service shaped his path. Then, how five students (“the core”) pushed him onto social media in 2016, where he built a global “family,” not just followers.This conversation goes beyond “tips and tricks.” It’s about pronunciation vs. accent, training your ear, cultural humility, and claiming your voice without chasing someone else’s definition of “proper English.”In this episode, we discuss:Reinvention after setbacksWhat it means to teach naturally (not “sound like a native”)Accent bias, native-speakerism“Faces of English” perspectiveHow to be better understood: ear training, pronunciation, and confidenceBuilding a network that changes your life and paying it forward.🎙️ Part of the Real Work series 📺 Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts📌 Find Teacher Will:Instagram / YouTube / Snapchat: @ask_teacherwill (Ask Teacher Will)