Category Archives: Meet CELT

Meet CELT! Lindsay Bryde

Accessibility, Equity and Inclusion, Instructional Design, Meet CELT, Uncategorized

Get to know CELT better! This month we find out more about Lindsay Bryde, our new Course Content Accessibility Specialist!

Lindsay BrydeWhat is your favorite part of your job?

Getting to work with a variety of educators and students who are passionate about their interests. It’s always fun to get a diverse group of people in a room and collaborate on a new challenge.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

I was the Project Implementation Manager at SUNY Empire, focusing on the development of their course request/creation software for Brightspace, managing the implementation and training for their new web content analysis tool Silktide, and working with a team to establish and implement their Bias Incident Response protocol. Some of my previous credits at SUNY Empire also included Digital Accessibility Coordinator and Educational Technologist.

Coffee or tea?

While I gained an appreciation for coffee when working as a barista during college, I still prefer a good pot of loose-leaf tea.

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?

As a dedicated Princess Diaries fan (yes, I have pictures from my meetings with the series’s author, Meg Cabot), I’d want to go to the fictional country of Genovia. Between the books and the movies, it just made me want to uncover each new bend in the road there.

What was the last book you read? 

I just finished Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young. It’s a witty and quick-moving novel about two people with physical disabilities that learn how to overcome their mental barriers to find romance.

Meet CELT! Christine Bell

Instructional Design, Meet CELT, Uncategorized

Get to know CELT better! This month we find out more about Christine Bell, one of our new instructional designers!

Christine BellWhat is your favorite part of your job?

The shared excitement when overcoming a particular challenge or pain point with an educator, especially when a novel approach or use of technology makes a lesson better or workload easier.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

I was the Editor of Curriculum for an edtech company. Before that, I was an ENL teacher and international program manager in the U.S., Thailand, and China.

Coffee or tea?

Both! Tea – Rooibos or Earl Grey. Coffee – latte, unsweetened.

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?

I love to travel, so anywhere I’ve never been before. My dream destinations are Antarctica and New Zealand.

What was the last book you read? 

I’m a huge sci-fi and fantasy fan. Currently reading The Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark and just finished Snuff by Terry Prachett.

Meet CELT! Jeffrey Iannone

Instructional Design, Meet CELT, Uncategorized

Get to know CELT better! This month we find out more about Jeffrey Iannone, our new Instructional Designer!

Jeffrey Ianonne, Instructional Designer at CELTWhat is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of the job is learning new ways to help faculty engage their students.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

I mostly worked in instructional design positions and taught Psychology classes.

Coffee or tea?

Always coffee.

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?

South America seems like a really interesting place to visit, so any country there for the most part.

What was the last book you read? 

This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin

Time for Tea with Luis

Instructional Design, Meet CELT

Luis Colón

CELT Instructional Designer, Luis Colón

Welcome Luis Colón, a new instructional designer at the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching at SBU. Read on to learn a little more about him.

What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job so far is working with a great team who have been extremely welcoming and supportive of my growth. I also love working on engaging learning content and being a part of the learning process for students, faculty, and staff.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?
I started my career as a middle school English teacher where I taught 8th grade. I taught courses such as English 8, Intensive Reading, Creative Writing, and more. I also worked with students to develop multimedia for the school for school productions as well as for the weekly video announcements.

a cup of tea
Take a break for tea.

Coffee or tea?
I don’t drink coffee at all, only tea. There’s so many different kinds of tea to try!

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?
I would love to visit Japan at some point in my life. I have always wanted to go ever since I was really young and I enjoy learning about its culture and history.

What was the last book you read?
The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa

Meet CELT! Jinna Kim

Meet CELT

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Jinna Kim, Postdoc.

Jinna Kim What is your favorite part of your job?

The team members! Everyone is friendly, welcoming, and always willing to help. The team members say a lot about the job–and I enjoy the presence of every member. 🙂

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

I was an Academic Program Specialist at the University of Florida. I developed academic programs and coached students who are often underrepresented in postsecondary education to lead them to success.

Coffee or tea?

Always coffee–nothing added. Just dark black coffee.

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?

What was the last book you read? 

Linguistic identity in postcolonial multilingual spaces. For fun, The 7 habits of highly effective people.

Meet CELT! Amie Cohen

Meet CELT

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Amie Cohen, Assistant Director of Faculty Development – Testing Assessment, & Evaluation.

Amie CohenWhat is your favorite part of your job?

The opportunity to work with faculty to help them incorporate new and innovative ways to assess student learning in their courses.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

Prior to working in CELT, I worked more directly with students, most recently as an Undergraduate College Advisor for first-year students at SBU, and previously as a Career Coach in the Career Center. In all of my previous positions in higher education, my position involved taking the lead on the assessment of student learning in both courses and programs, which is what led me to my current role with CELT!

Coffee or tea?

Coffee, but I also enjoy a good Iced Tea!

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?

It is hard to narrow down to one place, but if the length of travel was less of a deterrent, I would love to visit Australia!

What was the last book you read? 

I recently reread Little Women, after watching the most recent screen adaptation!

Meet CELT! Jenny Zhang

Meet CELT

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Jenny Zhang, instructional Designer.  

Jenny Zhang

What is your favorite part of your job?

Working with amazing educators and colleagues in an academic setting is the most exciting part. 

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

Before joining CELT, I worked as an instructional designer at other universities and colleges in New York and Florida.

Coffee or tea?

Tea. I am a certified tea master. 

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?

Turkey. It has a rich history and culture with Asian and European heritage. 

What was the last book you read? 

Small Teaching Online by Flower Darby and James Lang

Meet CELT! Rose Tirotta

Meet CELT

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Rose Tirotta, Director.

Rose TirottaWhat is your favorite part of your job?

How can I choose just one?! I love working with faculty and staff on innovative projects around teaching and learning, but also like to take the time to reflect on the data we collect and explore what we can offer to better support and collaborate with folks across campus!

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

I started my career as a high school English teacher, but most recently was at Hofstra University for over 13 years prior to joining CELT.

Coffee or tea?

I love, love, love coffee, but am always up for some herbal tea as well…after my coffee 🙂

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?

I’ve been to Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Paris, but I’d love to visit the rest of the Disney parks across the world!

What was the last book you read? 

The Light of Lunar Park by Addison Armstrong

Meet CELT! Lorraine Carroll

Meet CELT

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Lorraine Carroll, Opscan Supervisor. 

Lorraine CarrollWhat is your favorite part of your job?

Helping faculty make sure their exams are processed quickly and accurately.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

Worked at the Carol Baldwin Breast Care Center in Radiology.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?

Greenland

What was the last book you read? 

What Happened To You? by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce Perry

Meet CELT! Joseph Lodato

Meet CELT

Get to know CELT better! This week we find out more about Joseph C. Lodato, Instructional Support, Video & Media Specialist.

Joseph Lodato What is your favorite part of your job?

Helping offices become more efficient by utilizing Navigate and creating fun videos for students, staff, and faculty.

What did you do prior to working in CELT?

I was an Admissions Counselor at a private college in NY.

Coffee or tea?

Both!

Where would you like to visit (real or fictional)?

The Shire, Middle Earth (After the ring was destroyed).

What was the last book you read? 

A Spell For Chameleon by Piers Anthony