Staff

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Robinson Community Learning Center
1004 North Eddy Street
Phone 574-631-8759
Fax 574-631-5889
rclc@nd.edu

1. 

   Jennifer Knapp Beudert

   Manager for Grants and Administration

   574-631-2686

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   Jennifer Knapp Beudert

   As Manager for Grants and Administration of the Robinson Community Learning Center (RCLC), Jennifer Knapp Beudert has responsibility for general administration, facilities management, grant writing, budget support, and coordinating the RCLC AmeriCorps program.

   Prior to her current position, Jen served as Manager of the RCLC for 13 years.

   Jen arrived at the University after 13 years in Oregon, where she served as a faculty member at Linn-Benton Community College. In this position, Jen was Director of the Periwinkle Child Development Center, the lab school for the Education, Child and Family Studies Department, as well as co-director of the Early Education Partnership, a professional development program for early childhood educators funded by a Federal Early Childhood Education Professional Development grant with the goal of improving educational outcomes for at-risk children.

   A native New Yorker, Jen holds two master’s degrees from Bank Street College of Education in NYC, one in early childhood/elementary education and one in educational leadership. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science from Swarthmore College (PA). 

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   Phone: +1 574-631-2686
   

2. 

   Christy Burgess

   Shakespeare Program Director

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   Christy Burgess

   Christy Burgess attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks and received her M.A. in Drama and Theatre Education from the University of Warwick. Before moving to South Bend, Christy worked at the Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre as their Education Manager and had the pleasure of traveling to parts of rural Alaska where she led Shakespeare workshops with youths and Alaska Native Elders.  In 2011, Christy was fortunate to be a North American Teaching Consultant for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

   As the Shakespeare Program Director, Christy leads the Robinson Shakespeare Company through three performances a year and participation in Shakespeare at Notre Dame's English Speaking Union Shakespeare Monologue Competition.  Through the Robinson Shakespeare Outreach, Christy and her AmeriCorps team teach over 20 classes weekly in South Bend schools through in-class drama integration workshops and after-school programs.

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3. 

   Angela Coaguila Valdivia

   Talk With Your Baby Bilingual Parent Educator

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   Angela Coaguila Valdivia

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4. 

   Amanda Conmy

   RCLC Preschool Coordinator

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   Amanda Conmy

   Amanda Conmy is the RCLC Preschool Coordinator and lead teacher. Amanda is a native of South Bend and a graduate of Saint Mary's College, where she studied Social Work. She recently returned to South Bend after living on the east coast for 35 years. Amanda was a Mental Health Social Worker before starting her career in Early Childhood Education over 20 years ago. Amanda started to volunteer at the RCLC in 2019, earning the Volunteer of the Year award in 2021. She received the 2022 Teri Lynne Lokoff Teacher of the Year Award for Early Childhood educators. Amanda served as a full-time AmeriCorps member from January 2022 until she became Preschool Coordinator in fall of 2023. Amanda has three adult children with her husband, John, ND '89.

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5. 

   Hannah Darr

   RCLC Volunteer Coordinator

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   Hannah Darr

   Hannah graduated with her undergraduate degree from Purdue University with a degree in Health Science and minors in Biology and Spanish. She then attended the University of North Carolina (UNC) in the Gillings School of Global Public Health for her Master of Public Health. At UNC, she worked as a greaduate research assistant for the UNC-Fort Liberty Public  Health Partnership and the America's Health Rankings advisory council. Hannah is now working on her Master of Nonprofit Administration (MNA) at Notre Dame.

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6. 

   Aurelie Delavignette

   NDCCI Educational Program Director

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   Aurelie Delavignette

   Aurélie Delavignette studied Environmental Studies and attended University College in London where she received her M.A. in Human Rights.  She was then recruited as an Americorps member by the Robinson Community Learning Center where she spent two years; one in the Entrepreneurship program and one in the LitCorps program. Since then, she has worked throughout the community at a multitude of non-profits before returning to the RCLC.

   She is very excited to now be running educational programs for youth at the Notre Dame Center for Innovation, including Literacy Tutoring and Afterschool Enrichment!

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7. 

   Susan Devetski

   Director

   574-631-8758

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   Susan Devetski

   Susan “Susie” Devetski is the director of the Robinson Community Learning Center, an off-campus educational initiative of the University of Notre Dame, in partnership with Northeast Neighborhood residents of South Bend.
   
   Susie, who started her position in April 2023, is an experienced education leader and consultant on school design, curriculum, leadership and governance. In her new position, Devetski leads the RCLC staff and the center’s strategic direction, including the enhancement and development of partnerships and curriculum.
   
   Susie lives and grew up in the 46617 ZIP code — which the RCLC serves. She is excited to bring her experience to the center. Devetski served as the founding department chair of the Elementary Education Program at Holy Cross College where she designed, staffed and implemented the Undergraduate Elementary Education/English Language Learners major.
   
   She also worked as the building administrator and principal of the primary school, pre-K to grade 2, at the University of Chicago Lab Schools, where she served on the advisory council for diversity, equity and inclusion. Devetski earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in language education from Indiana University, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Saint Louis University.

   Email Susan
   Phone: +1 574-631-8758
   

8. 

   Juan Hernandez

   Talk With Your Baby Program Director

   574-631-9424

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   Juan Hernandez

   Juan M. Hernandez, Jr. is a grassroots resident of South Bend who was born and raised on the west side of the city. He is a self-driven professional who fosters and motivates cross-culture interactions in our schools, workplaces, and community. With his community involvement, he also is passionate about educating students of all ages to become their best person in life for the future leaders of South Bend.

   With over 30 years of community engagement, Juan strengthened his passion to serve on multiple committees and mentor at-risk youth. As well as having experience as a business leader and guidance specialist, he has served on several boards and committees.

   Inspired by years of dedication and experience, Juan's passion for education, business, and community engagement has prepared his path for opportunities to serve in major pillars of America's education system. He looks forward to his new position with the Robinson Community Learning Center to begin educating a new generation of future South Bend residents and leaders through the Talk With Your Baby parenting education program. 

   Juan speaks fluent Spanish and is a first-generation college graduate who holds three degrees: an Associate's Degree in Business Administration from Ivy Tech Community College,  a Business Administration and Management Bachelor's degree from Trine University,  and  a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, also from Trine University.

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   Phone: +1 574-631-9424
   

9. 

   Tyonne Johnson

   Youth Development Program Director

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   Tyonne Johnson

   A native of Northwest, Indiana, Ty was determined to build a quality life for her family and community. Acknowledging her gift in working with youth, she fully embraced the value that came in educating children. For more than 15 years Ty has invested in the lives of youth, driven by the simple philosophy that we all have the potential to be and do whatever we make up in our minds.

   Ty attended Purdue University Northwest where she received her Bachelors degree in primary education and Masters in educational leadership & administration from Ball State University.

   Her belief in the value of early exposure of youth to new experiences and rich opportunities goes beyond her own children. As Youth Development Program Director, Ty maintains high standards when designing programs that guide and support the development of literacy, and writing skills, as well as curriculum that enhances students’ global competencies, and allow them to prepare for a postsecondary education.

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10. 

    Virginia Solis

    Afternoon Receptionist

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    Virginia Solis

    Virginia has over a decade of experience in Social Services and working with children and their families. It became her passion working with such a diverse community and making a difference each and every day. Virginia welcomes children, volunteers, and families to the RCLC every afternoon as Front Desk Receptionist.

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11. 

    Marguerite Taylor

    RCLC Staff Member Emeritus

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    Marguerite Taylor

    Marguerite Taylor was the very first Robinson Community Learning Center employee, and is the daughter of  Renelda Robinson, for whom the Center is name.

    Marguerite spent 20 years representing the RCLC on a number of community boards and organizations, making sure the best interests of the Center, as well as the entire Northeast Neighborhood were considered.

    In 2023, Marguerite became the first South Bend community member to receive an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Notre Dame.

     

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12. 

    Emma Thurston

    TWYB Parent Educator, Robinson Learning Center

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    Emma Thurston

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13. 

    Lu Ella Webster

    Adult Programs Coordinator

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    Lu Ella Webster

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14. 

    Jennifer Wittenbrink Ortega

    Early Childhood Program Director

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    Jennifer Wittenbrink Ortega

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