Colette Ruscheinsky
Grayslake,IL
Summary
Dedicated and student-centered English and TESOL instructor with extensive experience teaching composition, developmental writing, and academic literacy to multilingual and first-generation students at the community college level. Passionate about language justice, visual storytelling, and social advocacy. Experienced in curriculum development, equity-based teaching, oral history archiving, and faculty collaboration, and committed to fostering inclusive, engaging, and equitable learning environments that support diverse learners.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunct Instructor
Northeastern Illinois University
07.2025 - Current
- Introduce teaching methods and strategies to undergraduate students majoring in TESOL
- Utilize interactive activities, group discussions, and multimedia resources to enhance how to teach English language learning to speakers of other languages .
- Provide individualized support and guidance for teachers of students struggling with reading, writing, and grammar.
- Implement effective classroom management strategies to create a positive learning environment.
- Conduct regular assessments and adapt instruction for optimal learning outcomes.
Lake County Coordinator
Grow Your Own Teachers Illinois
10.2024 - Current
- Manage a team of 15 teacher candidates, guiding them to ensure successful program completion.
- Provide academic advising on course selection, degree planning, and career exploration.
- Monitor student progress and proactively identify barriers to success.
- Coordinate academic support workshops to improve student retention.
Adjunct Instructor
The College of Lake County
01.2022 - Current
- Create a positive and inclusive classroom environment that fosters cultural understanding and respect.
- Support students in developing their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through targeted exercises and practice activities.
- Adapt instructional strategies based on individual student needs, learning styles, and abilities.
- Facilitate effective communication among diverse groups of learners from different linguistic backgrounds.
- Promote cross-cultural understanding by incorporating discussions about customs, traditions, and holidays.
Research Associate & Digital Archivist
The Genocide and Human Rights Research Center in Africa and the Diaspora (NEIU)
01.2023 - Current
- Serve as oral history archivist documenting narratives to combat erasure in history and in the classroom.
- Collaborate with the library and academic departments to ensure accessibility of archives.
- Present research and digital storytelling content to academic audiences.
Media Production (Prior Career)
Oprah Winfrey Network, TLC, A&E, Discovery Channel, FOX News Chicago, WFLD-TV
- Worked as Production Assistant, Field Producer, Associate Producer, and Casting Director on nationally syndicated television.
- Developed storytelling, interviewing, casting, and production skills applicable to education and digital content creation.
Education
M.A. - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Northeastern Illinois University
01.2024
B.A. - Broadcast Journalism
Columbia College Chicago
01.2008
Skills
- Developmental Writing & Composition
- TESOL
- Inclusive & Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
- ALP / Co-Requisite Support
- Canvas LMS
- Academic Advising
- Oral History & Archiving
- Instructional Design
- Multimedia Storytelling
- Collaborative Leadership
Curriculum & Instructional Design
- Experienced in designing inclusive curriculum for multilingual learners.
- Integrate culturally responsive pedagogy and active learning strategies.
- Skilled in developing student-centered assignments for ALP/co-requisite courses.
- Proficient in hybrid and online course delivery using Canvas LMS.
Service & Advocacy
- Advocate for multilingualism and equity in education.
- Serve as oral history archivist to preserve and uplift underrepresented narratives.
- Mentor future educators through Grow Your Own Teachers initiative.
- Promote culturally sustaining pedagogy and student-centered engagement.
Timeline
Adjunct Instructor
Northeastern Illinois University
07.2025 - Current
Lake County Coordinator
Grow Your Own Teachers Illinois
10.2024 - Current
Research Associate & Digital Archivist
The Genocide and Human Rights Research Center in Africa and the Diaspora (NEIU)
01.2023 - Current
Adjunct Instructor
The College of Lake County
01.2022 - Current
B.A. - Broadcast Journalism
Columbia College Chicago
Media Production (Prior Career)
Oprah Winfrey Network, TLC, A&E, Discovery Channel, FOX News Chicago, WFLD-TV
M.A. - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Northeastern Illinois University