Children & Youth Investment Trust Corporation

Family Literacy

Lifelong Learning Coaches

CYITC is pleased to announce the 2008 corps of Lifelong Learning Coaches (LLCs):

Lea Adams
Lea Adams is a first year Lifelong Learning Coach (LLC) assigned to work with Literacy Volunteers and Advocates (LVA, formerly Literacy Volunteers of America - National Capital Area) in Northwest DC, where she teaches Adult Basic Literacy Education and provides assistance in promotion and capacity-building for the organization.

Lea comes to the adult literacy arena after a career of more than 25 years in broadcasting and marketing communications. Lea graduated from The American University and is in UDC’s post-graduate certificate program in Adult Education. A third-generation adult educator, Lea believes adult literacy is the key to rebuilding the ‘village’ that is responsible for raising children.

Caleb Avraham
Caleb Avraham is a first year Lifelong Learning Coach assigned to work with Congress Heights Learning Center at the Court Services and Supervision Agencies (CSOSA) literacy program in Southeast DC. His primary responsibilities include teaching ex-offenders socially and economically viable life and academic skills through comprehensive literacy programming. Before becoming a Lifelong Learning Coach, Caleb worked with the GEAR UP program as a site manager and program assistant at a public charter school in NE DC. There, he created innovative extended day programs for a cohort of 450 7th grade students, and organized community efforts to help support those programs. In addition to his work in education, Caleb has traveled to 9 different countries and over a dozen cities including South Africa, Germany, and Israel.

Caleb holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Northeastern Illinois University and Master’s in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago.

Photo Shavon Campbell Shavon Campbell
Shavon Campbell is a first year Lifelong Learning Coach (LLC), currently assigned to Friendship House Association in Southeast DC. She currently works with Pre- GED, GED, computer literacy, and Equipped for the Future (EFF) Standards. Prior to being a LLC Shavon worked as an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor for NOVA group in Tokyo, Japan.

Shavon earned her Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Brockport State in 2004, graduating Cum Laude. Currently she is pursuing her MBA from Trinity University in International Business.

Celina Chelala
Celina Chelala is a first year Lifelong Learning Coach (LLC) assigned to work with Bright Beginnings, Inc. in Northwest DC. Bright Beginnings, Inc. is a child and family development center dedicated to serving homeless families in the District. As a LLC, Chelala’s primary responsibilities include providing literacy tutoring and job readiness and job placement services. Prior to becoming a Lifelong learning Coach, Chelala taught English as a Second Language with adults in Virginia. She has also taught Spanish with high school students in DC.

Chelala earned a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from Vassar College and a Master’s degree in Health Promotion from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Betsy Hallstrom
Betsy Hallstrom is a first year Lifelong Learning Coach (LLC) assigned to work with the Catholic Charities Adult Education Program at the Catholic Charities Downtown Family Center. Betsy’s responsibilities include facilitating the External Diploma Program (EDP), providing direct instruction to students in GED classes, and cultivating essential volunteer relationships with organizations throughout the Washington DC community, including, among others, American University and Caesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy in Northwest DC. Prior to her work as a Lifelong learning Coach, Betsy worked with adults with developmental disabilities.

Betsy earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN.

Ronald A. Hopkins
Ronald A. Hopkins is a first year Lifelong Learning Coach (LLC) assigned to work with Concerned Black Men (CBM) National Organization Inc. in Northwest DC. CBM provides mentors and programs that affirm the care and discipline youth need, while providing opportunities for academic and career enrichment. As a LLC, Ronald’s primary responsibilities include GED instruction, student consultation and referrals, and volunteer recruitment and training. Prior to becoming a LLC, Ronald was an Area Program Coordinator with the Center for Literacy in Philadelphia.

Ronald A. Hopkins is a graduate of Syracuse University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree - Deans’ List, in the School Of Management. He has a triple major: Marketing Management, Management Information Systems (MIS), and Transportation Distribution Management (TDM).

Photo Talib Madyun Talib Madyun
Talib Madyun is a first year Lifelong Learning Coach assigned to work with the Income Maintenance Administration (IMA) Lifelong Learning Center in southeast DC. Prior to his work as a LLC, Madyun worked as program manager at a nonprofit youth organization. He also worked for six years as a teacher.

A native Washingtonian, Madyun earned his Bachelors degree from Bowie State University. He is the loving father of one son, Xander Blake Madyun.

Photo LaRuby May LaRuby May
LaRuby May is a first year Lifelong Learning Coach assigned to work with Congress Heights Community Training and Development Corporation in Southeast DC. Congress Heights was founded as a community based nonprofit organization for the purpose of improving the quality of life by alleviating unemployment and underemployment, and facilitating social service needs through educational and occupational skills training in distressed areas of Washington, DC.

LaRuby earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Eckerd College, a Master’s degree from The George Washington University in Human Development/Community Counseling and a Juris Doctorate from UDC - David Clarke School.

Photo Renee Miller Renee Miller
Renee Miller is a first year Lifelong Learning Coach (LLC) assigned to work with Department of Employment Services (DOES), as part the Project Empowerment team in Northeast DC. DOES is an employment agency that assists DC residents who are unemployed and /or ex-offenders. As a LLC, Renee’s primary responsibilities include providing GED literacy training and coaching participants’ on their educational and life goals.

Renee has trained youth and adults for over 10 years. She has taught adult literacy for 3 years including welfare to work and ex-offenders. She has also developed programs and curriculum for instruction including a certified customer service program with The National Retail Foundation. Renee Miller is a former accountant who holds a MBA.

Photo Chenniah Randolph Chenniah Randolph
Chenniah Randolph is a second year Lifelong Learning Coach with the Notre Dame Education Center (NDEC). NDEC is an adult literacy organization that offers both the GED and External Diploma Program (EDP). Primary responsibilities at NDEC include teaching the Pre-GED and GED classes and assisting with administrative tasks. Ms. Randolph has worked in the adult basic education field for the past five years. Her work experiences include teaching ABE, GED, EDP, and ESL. After completing her undergraduate studies in Communications and Spanish at Mount Saint Mary’s College, Ms. Randolph returned to school to earn a master’s degree in Linguistics at American University.

Photo Jessie Stadd Jessie Stadd
Jessie Stadd is a first year Lifelong Learning Coach placed at the Academy of Hope, an adult basic education school located in Northeast D.C. At the Academy of Hope, Jessie teaches classes in Reading and Math as well spearheads the development and implementation of the newest 13th year program, Pathways to Success.

Prior to becoming a coach, Jessie spent a year teaching English in South America. She also has extensive experience working with a variety of educational programs and non-profits, such as Literacy Volunteers of America, America Reads, Even Start and AmeriCorps.

Jessie graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland Honors program with a degree in English Literature. She obtained her Masters Degree in Literacy, Language and Culture from the University of Michigan in 2006.

Photo Talcur Stubbs Talcur Stubbs
Talcur Stubbs is a second year life long learning coach, assigned to the Department of Mental Health. She has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science from Morgan State University in Baltimore Maryland. At present, she is in her last semester at Trinity University Washington DC where, she is pursuing a Master’s of Science in Administration with a concentration in Human Resources.

Her employment experience has been in the area of education. She has taught in both Baltimore City Public Schools System and in Edison’s Schools. She believes knowledge is power and enjoys empowering the population she services with adult literacy services and technological information.

Ron Sheffer
Ron Sheffer is currently a first year Life Long Learning Coach who is assigned to Gospel Rescue Ministries School of Tomorrow. He helps homeless men and women improve their literacy and work readiness skills. He has extensive experience working with families from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds, especially families typically labeled as "hard-to-reach". As a supervisor of a Residential Facility in Anchorage, AK, he lead the way in supervisors effectively using outcomes data to help reduce violence in residential treatment and improve the services delivered to clients. Ron Sheffer is an avid researcher with the goal of utilizing existing resources in an efficient cost effective manner. He has a passion for working with the least served, in any community, to ensure they receive a quality education and a fair chance to succeed. He earned his B.A. in Liberal Studies at Alaska Pacific University.