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. 

   Angela Coaguila Valdivia

   Sunnyside Preschool Coordinator

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   Angela Coaguila Valdivia

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2. 

   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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3. 

   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
   

4. 

   Briana Grzenia

   Preschool Coordinator

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   Briana Grzenia

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5. 

   Juan Hernandez

   Civic Innovation Lab Youth Development Program Director

   574-631-7298

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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: +1 574-631-7298
   

6. 

   Jennifer Jermano Miller

   Theatre & Fine Arts Program Director

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   Jennifer Jermano Miller

   Jennifer is a Mishawaka native who has dedicated over three decades to education, leadership, and community service.

   Before joining the RCLC, Jennifer worked with the Archdiocese of Chicago in various roles for 11 years, culminating in her role as the principal of St. Damian School. Prior to her administrative work, Jennifer spent 12 years at Penn High School as a theater, speech, and broadcast journalism teacher.

   Outside the classroom, Jennifer is an active community volunteer working primarily with The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. She holds degrees from Saint Mary’s College, Indiana University, Concordia University, and most recently was a fellow with the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) Principal Academy.

   In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Joe, her four children, Ben, Joey, Saverio and Sabrina, attending and participating in theatrical productions, and cheering for The Irish! She could not be more excited to return home to join a team of individuals dedicated to fostering a sense of value and belonging to the students at the Robinson Community Learning Center.

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7. 

   Tyonne Johnson

   Talk with Your Baby Regional Coordinator, Professional Learning

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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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8. 

   Ryan Murdock

   Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator

   574-631-2952

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   Ryan Murdock

   Ryan Murdock graduated from Notre Dame in 2023 with a B.S. in Applied & Computational Mathematics & Statistics and a second major in Global Affairs with a concentration in International Development Studies.

   Ryan began his work in education at the Bethany Land Institute (BLI) in rural Uganda, where he designed an immersive summer service learning program for American college students. He then traveled to Nandere, Uganda, where he completed his capstone research project for International Development Studies at BLI. He studied and worked in BLI’s Caretaker program, which trains its students in sustainable agricultural practices in the vision of Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical Laudato Si’, to analyze effective practices in holistic education.

   Inspired by the unwavering dedication of BLI’s teaching staff to the success and formation of each individual student, Ryan joined Teach For America (an AmeriCorps program), to become a High School Physics and Precalculus teacher in the Englewood/Gage Park neighborhoods of Chicago, where he taught just over 100 juniors and seniors.

   After his time in the Teach For Americorps Corps, Ryan returned to Notre Dame to join the Robinson Community Learning Center and is excited to continue working towards educational equity in a new capacity as the RCLC’s Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator!

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   Phone: +1 574-631-2952
   

9. 

   Clare Roach

   Associate Director

   (574) 631-2686

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   Clare Roach

   Clare Roach is the Associate Director of the Robinson Community Learning Center (RCLC), an off-campus educational initiative of the University of Notre Dame. Roach supports the strategic vision, direction, leadership, and management of RCLC's programs, budget, and operations. A proud alumna of the AmeriCorps program, she also directs RCLC's active national service site.

   Roach holds a bachelor's degree in political science and Spanish and a master's in education from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to joining RCLC, Roach served Notre Dame's Institute for Educational Initiatives, coordinating its English as a New Language (ENL) teacher certificate program and leading its dual language initiatives. A graduate of Notre Dame's ACE Teaching Fellows Program, she has experience teaching and leading at the elementary, middle, high school, and collegiate levels. Her interest in multilingual education has led to the publication of several books including English Oral Language Assessment (ACE Press, 2013) and Ten Days to Becoming a Better Educator of English Learners (NCEA Press, 2018), as well as numerous articles in diverse publications. She is a guest writer for Edutopia.

   Roach has lived in the Michiana area since 2006, is the mother to four children, and maintains an active presence in the local education community. 

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   Phone: (574) 631-2686
   

10. 

    Carvyann Ross

    TWYB Parent Educator, Robinson Learning Center

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    Carvyann Ross

    Parent Educator

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11. 

    Jennifer Smith

    TWYB Parent Educator, Robinson Learning Center

    574-631-5351

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    Jennifer Smith

    Jen has served in the community for over twenty years in a plethora of roles with people of all ages. Jen and her family are so proud to call South Bend their home, and are passionate about doing what they can to help grow the community into a place that is welcoming, uplifting, and supportive.

    Jen’s role as a Parent Educator means she has the privilege of engaging with (adorable) babies and their caregivers to grow together in communication, development, and connection. She loves to make new babbling, crawling, toddling, exploring friends!

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    Phone: +1 574-631-5351
    

12. 

    Quinn Stanchin

    Preschool Coordinator

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    Quinn Stanchin

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13. 

    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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14. 

    Gail Tomas

    Talk With Your Baby Parent Educator Coordinator

    574-631-6916

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    Gail Tomas

    Gail Tomas is the Parent Educator Coordinator for the Talk with Your Baby partnership at Robinson Community Learning Center (RCLC), an off-campus educational initiative of the University of Notre Dame. Gail started her career in early childhood development as a teacher for several years, subsequently engaging in several service oriented jobs such as family & community engagement, school counseling & positive youth development.

    Gail holds an associate degree in Human Services from Ivy Tech Community College, Bachelors of Science in Social Work, and Masters in Social work from Indiana University. She finds joy in building nurturing families, building community and positive behaviors. Gail also enjoys sharing in the joys, challenges, and silly moments of parenthood as a parent educator, a trainer and a mother. Gail’s goal is to empower individuals with the confidence and practical skills to navigate a healthy, safe and learning journey for their families.

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    Phone: +1 574-631-6916
    

15. 

    Lu Ella Webster

    Adult Programs Coordinator

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    Lu Ella Webster

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16. 

    Consuela Wilson

    Talk With Your Baby Program Director

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    Consuela Wilson

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17. 

    Jennifer Wittenbrink Ortega

    Early Childhood Program Director

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    Jennifer Wittenbrink Ortega

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