Wendy Bulkowski has been tutoring at ELI for ten years. Her long association with the Institute began fortuitously: back in 1986. An ELI tutor was involved in a car accident, and Wendy was called upon to step in for her. Since that time, Wendy has not only tutored, but also taught intermediate and advanced English classes, escorted students on tours of New York, Philadelphia, and other cities, led a four-week study tour into Vermont over the summer of 1993, and generally extended a welcoming hand to students at ELI.
Wendy studied for her undergraduate degree in American Civilization at Brown University. After graduating, Wendy got married, moved to California and gave birth to Brian, now 29. After living in Pittsburgh and Boston, the family settled in Newark, where husband John became an assistant professor in 1975. Four years later daughter Julie was born. Wendy seems actually to prefer Delaware to California and Boston. "Not only is it cheaper to live here," she says, "but there is lots to do on the university campus. At the private universities where John worked before, facilities were closed to all but students and faculty." Wendy often shares her interests in local and regional history and culture with ELI students, escorting groups to such history-rich local sites as the Hagley Museum.
Wendy's involvement with the international community in Delaware began soon after she arrived. As a member of the International Hospitality Committee, Wendy, along with other faculty wives, helped make the wives of foreign professors feel welcome in Newark by hosting coffees and arranging babysitting. Not long after, Wendy found herself taking a class at the university on second language learning. Soon she was embarked on a master's degree in English Language Studies, which she completed in 1991. Putting what she learned into practice, Wendy taught English composition to international and American students at the University of Delaware before coming to teach at ELI.
When not teaching or tutoring, Wendy enjoys visiting museums, often going to view special exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the local Brandywine Museum. She plays bridge with longtime friends and is a fan of the Newark High School Marching Band, in which daughter Julie, 17, plays the clarinet. She is also an avid consumer of literary fiction, especially contemporary American and French novels, and of international movies. In addition, Wendy's far-flung family and former students provide her with the chance to travel during ELI breaks.
"The best gift a teacher can give students is a sense of autonomy: opportunities to self-individuate and to develop self-confidence in their skills and potential," she says. In her classroom hangs a curtain used for student performances. Beside it, photos of her students posing as movie stars brighten the walls.
For Ruth Jackson, veteran ELI teacher, empowering students to think critically and to express themselves well in their second language is a mission. This purpose led her to develop two popular and respected classes since joining the ELI faculty in 1986.
A Ph.D. candidate in English literature at UD before she was asked to inaugurate the Level VI High Advanced English for Academic Purposes Class at ELI, Ruth drew on her experience teaching advanced composition and literature courses for the English Department to create a class so successful that the university agreed to give three hours of freshman English credit to students who earn an "A" in her course.
Now experienced in all ESL levels and areas, Ruth returned to graduate school in 1988 and earned a Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont. Anticipating that international students might share her love for American movies, Ruth created a new Film Class in 1990. A professional performer herself, she has become well-known for that class and for her students' performances of movie scenes at ELI graduations.
Ruth's other mission, training ESL teachers, continues with her election as president of PennTESOL-East, a 350-member affiliate of international TESOL. Among her acts of service to PTE, to the university, and to ELI, Ruth has organized two highly successful PTE conferences, presented the first ELI demonstration at a UD Faculty Retreat, is currently the first ELI faculty member to serve on a UD Faculty Senate committee, recently chaired a major ELI search committee for three new faculty positions, and heads the ELI committees on Student Attendance and Conduct and on Scholarship. For TESOL, Ruth has organized a leadership development workshop and has served on the international Sociopolitical Concerns Committee since 1993.
In research and scholarship, Ruth is a regular presenter at national conferences such as TESOL, GURT, and NAFSA. She is also the primary author of American Voices (1992), a textbook for multicultural learners which uses co-author Dr. Robert J. Di Pietro's Strategic Interaction approach as well as ethnic literature to immerse students in the American experience. Besides her book, Ruth has written several articles which have appeared in national and international publications and co-authored a booklet on the English Only movement.
What do Ms. Jackson's students think of her classes? While she is known as a demanding instructor, students often state that she is an excellent teacher, one who has helped them to see things in new and different ways. "They tell me afterwards that they are glad I required so much of them because it helped them in their later academic and professional life," Ruth says.
Ruth's warmth, energy, and high expectations as teacher and mentor help all to achieve their personal and professional goals.
When prospective language students make their initial inquiries into the ELI program, chances are the first friendly face (or friendly fax!) they encounter is that of Melanie Rehberg. Ensconced amid a cozy array of computer screens, fax machines, and filing cabinets, Melanie handles most of the duties associated with new student admissions. She answers questions (largely via e-mail), processes applications, and deals with the intricacies of visas and immigration law. In addition to these duties, this dedicated ELI staff assistant provides technical support to the director, associate director, and office manager and is knowledgeable in the area of computer applications. Recently she worked with Associate Director Kathy Schneider to change the ELI computer system over from an in-house software program to a set-up which now allows easy interface with the University of Delaware system.
Although Melanie was "born and raised" in Newark, she and husband Scott have lived in New York (just outside the Big Apple) and Stowe, Vermont, a popular ski area. The couple spent five years living the "ski bum's dream:" working at a mountain resort by night and skiing by day. For fun, they joined a downhill ski team! When Scott was offered a new job in the Newark area, they moved back home and Melanie decided to return to UD to complete her degree. After studying part time and working for UD, first in the personnel records office and now at ELI, she now holds a B.S. degree in Human Resources with a minor in sociology. January marks her fourth year as a UD employee. She also works as a part-time artist, specializing in watercolors.
In her free time, Melanie still enjoys ski trips and horseback riding. When she goes riding, Scott and their ten-year-old son, Sinclair, travel alongside on their mountain bikes. When asked about her favorite part of working at ELI, Melanie responded, "The students! I love getting to know them and their cultures, and it's great when I am able to help them solve a problem. I wish I had more time to visit with them." Her advice to ELI students? "The key word is balance! Try to harmonize mind, body, and spirit. Find the correct balance between study and fun, and keep your mind open to new people, experiences, and cultures, and you'll be a success in life!"
