Elizabeth Terzakis
Reading and English Instructor
Cañada College
4200 Farm Hill Boulevard
Redwood City, California, 94061-1099
Office Phone: 650.306.3327
terzakise@smccd.net

M.A., Creative Writing, Hollis U, 1991 M.A., English, Brown U., 1995

Certificate in Teaching Postsecondary Reading, 2003

After spending several years applying for--and not getting--teaching jobs with the requisite MA in English, I returned to SFSU to get the Certificate in Teaching Reading at the Post-secondary Level. I not only got a job (before my certificate had even been printed), I also got a completely fresh perspective on pedagogy, invaluable insights into the needs and aspirations of community college students in California today, and access to a professional network that continues to inspire and refresh me. Teaching reading and writing at Canada College is rewarding, challenging work. Completing the Reading Certificate helped me to meet the challenges feeling confident and capable. I particularly enjoy facilitating the sharing of student perspectives and helping each student to realize his or her ability to play an active, engaged role in education, community, and the world.

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Yolanda Valenzuela
Reading and English Instructor
Cañada College
4200 Farm Hill Boulevard, Redwood City, California, 94061-1099
Office Phone: 650.306.3206.
valenzuelay@smccd.net

M.A., English, TESOL, 2001

Certificate in Teaching Postsecondary Reading, 2001

I especially enjoy building students’ schemata about interesting topics that are both domestic and international. The reading certificate, composition certificate and the Masters in English with an emphasis on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MATESOL) have all helped me be open and flexible to a diverse population in the developmental reading classes at the community college.

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M.A., English, Composition, 2005

Certificate in Teaching Postsecondary Reading, 2005

The reading certificate program is where I gained all of my wisdom as a reading and writing teacher. Thanks to Helen, Sugie, and Joan for demonstrating how to be an effective, knowledgeable, personable, funny, and encouraging English instructor.

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Julie Voss
Department Chair
Developmental English
Front Range Community College
3645 West 112th Ave
Westminster, CO 80031
(303) 404-5358
julie.voss@frontrange.edu

M.A. in English,Composition, 1999

Certificate in Teaching Postseecondary Reading,1999

I stumbled into the Post-secondary Reading courses because all of the Composition courses were full, and by the end of the semester I was hooked! Those fateful courses shaped my entire career, and not a day goes by that I don't reflect on how lucky I am to have acquired the skills, knowledge, (and passion) to help students read more successfully for college. What a joy!

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Leonora Willis

M.A., English, Composition, 2002

Certificate in Teaching Postsecondary Reading, 2002

Joan Wong-Kure
Lecturer
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
SF, CA 94132
Office Phone: 415 338-7033
jmwong@sfsu.edu

M.A., English, Composition, 1998

Certificate in Teaching Postsecondary Reading, 1998

Kathleen Zierolf
Lecturer (SFSU, & Skyline);
Management, City of San Francisco
and SF County
Office phone: (415) 370-9359
kzierolf@sfsu.edu

The Postsecondary Reading Certificate program was a perfect fit for me! I love reading and doubkly enjoy sharing my love of reading with other people, especially students. It is immensely rewarding to help someone, who is struggling, read and comprehend the text a little easier. I learned all these skills and techniques through the Postsecondary Reading Program.

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Serena Zilli
Lecturer (Developmental Linked Reading/Writing)
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Ave.
SF, CA 94132
Office Phone: (415) 338-2946
SZilli@sfsu.edu

M.A. English, Composition, 2005

Certificate in Teaching Postsecondary Reading, 2005

The classes I took to earn my certificate have helped me design lessons I am actually using in my classroom, and have provided me with a framework for understanding how reading and writing can and should be taught together. I really appreciated being able to both see models of how to teach reading (and writing) in these courses as well as practice putting together my own units and lessons that implemented the theory and practice I had learned.

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Susan Zimmerman
English Instructor
City College of San Francisco
50 Phelan Ave., Mailbox R229, San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 452-5506
szimmerm@ccsf.edu

Composition Certificate, 1995

Certificate in Teaching Postsecondary Reading, 1995

I've been involved in linked composition and reading classes and would enjoy sharing information with others involved in a linked or learning community program.

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