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

   574-631-2686

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   Jennifer Knapp Beudert

   As Manager of the Robinson Community Learning Center (RCLC), Jennifer Knapp Beudert has responsibility for directing the operations of the RCLC in accordance with its goals of “hospitality, education, partnership, civic engagement, and sustainability.” This includes oversight of program development, supervision of staff and volunteers, general administration, facilities management, and fundraising. Jen is also responsible for managing the RCLC’s community and University educational partnerships, and coordinating the RCLC AmeriCorps program.

   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 Outreach 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. 

   Aurelie Delavignette

   NDCCI Program Coordinator

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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 programming at the CCI, including Literacy Tutoring and Afterschool Programs!

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4. 

   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.

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   Phone: +1 574-631-8758
   

5. 

   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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6. 

   Valerie Kozera

   Talk With Your Baby Coordinator

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   Valerie Kozera

   Valerie is the coordinator for the Talk With Your Baby program, and her passion is in education, community work, and helping families. She has vast experience working with community youth, parents, and families.  For the past decade, Valerie has worked in the community of South Bend.  She is a native of northeast Ohio, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Family and Consumer Science from the University of Akron.   Valerie is very excited to be working with Talk With Your Baby and meeting all of the wonderful families! She is a Mom and understands the importance of parenting and how children enrich our lives!  Parents are the first teachers and she truly looks forward to sharing this journey with us!

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7. 

   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.

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8. 

   Marguerite Taylor

   RCLC Staff Member Emeritus

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   Marguerite Taylor

   Marguerite spent almost 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.

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9. 

   Lu Ella Webster

   Adult Programs Coordinator

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   Lu Ella Webster

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10. 

    Jennifer Wittenbrink Ortega

    Early Childhood Program Director

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    Jennifer Wittenbrink Ortega

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