Learning is easier when you have an excellent teacher. 

 Our tutors are caring volunteers who provided quality instruction.  

We use a life skills based curriculum for our students who are studying English as a second language.  For our literacy and math students, we customize a curriculum to fit your needs.  

Classes are private, and in a public location.  We offer classes at a day and time convenient to your schedule.  

 For our English as a Second Language students, we offer a monthly Saturday conversation class, and a monthly Monday evening conversation class in partnership with the Bloomington Public Library.

Both classes are a great way to practice your conversational skills and learn more about our community.

 Andrea is our Literacy Coordinator.   Andrea is the principal grant writer and manages the day to day operations of STAR Literacy.  She has studied and interned in France and traveled to 14 countries.  Most recently she has spent time in Guatemala visiting family.   Andrea has a Master's Degree in Education and is a former university  Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management.  She has spent many years working with international students from all over the world.

 Andrea coordinates curriculum for students in our Adult Basic Education Program as well as those in our English as a Second Language program needing additional assistance. 

Andrea parle français y  también habla español!

Contact: canalesa@roe17.org

  Mike is our English Language Learner (ELL) Coordinator with a passion for fostering language acquisition fueled by his teaching experiences, volunteer work with the Latino community, as well as acquiring Spanish proficiency. Mike coordinates and manages all activities concerning the ELL program of the STAR Adult Literacy Program. Mike was born and raised in Normal, Illinois, has a bachelor’s degree from ISU and a master’s degree from Clemson University. He has also taught as an adjunct at Heartland Community College and Illinois State University and a total of nine years of work experience in post-secondary education. Mike has completed volunteer assignments in eight rural programs across Latin American countries over the past 25 years. Most recently, Mike retired from Illinois Farm Bureau, during which time he also volunteered locally with STAR literacy as a tutor in the 2010s, with Professionals Assisting Latino Students (PALS), with the Western Avenue Center after-school program, and with The Immigration Project. Mike is proficient in Spanish. Mike has a global perspective and diverse experiences that enriches his ELL teaching approach to create an inclusive learning environment.

Outside of work, Mike enjoys being involved with civic programs for our immigrant community in McLean County, studying Spanish, and cycling.

Mike habla español!

Contact: dohertym@roe17.org

 Julie is our Volunteer Coordinator.  Julie recruits and manages our growing team of more than 75 active volunteers! Julie collects and reports all of our data to the Secretary of State's office, matches the tutors and students to form a study team, and manages communication to the volunteers.

Julie has more than 15 years experience working on a bilingual teacher grant for Illinois State University.

Contact: meenenj@roe17.org