Brett spent over six years on America's highways as a professional driver. After seeing most of the United States, he left the road in 1999 to return to the classroom. In 2002, he received his A.A. from Rock Valley College and transferred to the UIS Legal Studies program where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2005. Having taken a year off to go back on the road, Brett is now enrolled in the Computer Science program and will begin working toward his Master's Degree in the fall of 2007.
Favorite Quote: "WAR IS PEACE; FREEDOM IS SLAVERY; IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH." (g.o. 1984)
Anand has completed his undergraduate education in India. His major was Electrical and Electronics Engineering. His undergraduate degree mainly includes solving mathematical equations. He loves solving different types of mathematical problems which always keeps his mind active. He would love to give his math knowledge to those who want to learn math eagerly. He is currently working on a Master's in computer science at UIS.
The mathematical fields that he is most interested in are algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.
Favorite Quote : "I was born to succeed not to fail".
Rena - Statistics Undergraduate Peer Tutor
Rena Middendorf is majoring in Criminal Justice. She is a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Honor Society for Criminal Justice students, as well as, current treasurer of the local chapter. In addition, she works as a research assistant for Dr. Leanne Brecklin in the Criminal Justice Department. Once she receives her B.A. in Criminal Justice in August 2008, she hopes to pursue graduate studies in Human Services at UIS. Afterwards, she’s “PhD bound” so that she may eventually become a college professor.
Favorite Quote: Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
--- Mark Twain
Jaleesa - Math Undergraduate Peer Tutor
Jaleesa is a second semester freshman working on a major is business with a minor in accounting. She loves to do math all the time. If she could only take math classes, she would love school even more. In her free time she likes to just hangout with her friends.
Sara - Statistics Undergraduate Peer Tutor
Sara is a freshman biology major at UIS. She graduated after her junior year from Springfield High School. She plans on transferring to UIUC after her sophomore year to study nutrition. Her life goals include: to be an awesome stats tutor, tour Europe on a vespa, sing and play keyboard in a synthpop post punk band, and research the effects of a plant-based diet on common health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.
Favorite quote: "A mind is a fire to be kindled, not a vessel to be filled." - Plutarch
Danielle - Math Undergraduate Peer Tutor
Danielle is a sophomore here at UIS, a Capitol Scholars Honors student, and UIS Prairie Star cheerleader. She is majoring in Legal Studies with a minor in Political Studies. She is a peer tutor in the CTL in statistics, algebra, and trigonometry.
Marc - Biology
Marc earned his Bachelor’s in Marine Biology from the University of West Florida located in Pensacola, Florida. He is currently working on his Master’s in Public Health. This will be his second year as a science TA for the CTL. He is responsible for conducting the Environmental Biology studio and one-to-one tutoring. His interests include environmental health, biology, and playing the mandolin. He would like to use the experience he gained by working at the CTL towards possible becoming a teacher.
Trenae earned her A.S. at Lincoln Land Community College and her B.S. in Biology at University of Illinois at Springfield. Trenae is pursuing her M.S. in Biology at University of Illinois at Springfield. Trenae's goal is to become a college biology professor someday. In the Center, she is the chemistry T.A. She helps students by having studios, workshops, and one-one-one tutoring appointments with students. She hopes this opportunity will help her gain experience to become a good professor someday.
Stephanie - Chemistry Undergraduate Peer Tutor
Stephanie is a sophomore chemistry major, from Rushville, Illinois. She is a 2006 graduate of Rushville-Industry High School, where she was the Valedictorian. She was named as the top chemistry student last spring by the chemistry faculty, and in high school was named both the top math and science student. She enjoys chemistry, math, and physics, but when she is not doing school work she enjoys hanging out with her friends and family and just relaxing!
Ben - Chemistry Undergraduate Peer Tutor
Ben is a senior Chemistry major at UIS. After graduation, Ben plans on going to graduate school to gain his doctoral in Analytical Chemistry. Ben’s goal is to work for a large drug company, being involved in drug research and development. Though this is Ben’s first year with the CTL, he has previously offered private tutoring for students and homework problem sessions that were sponsored by the Chemistry department for various classes. He helps students by aiding with studios and workshops and offering one-on-one appointments with students. In his free time, Ben enjoys riding his horses, playing volleyball, and cooking. He hopes to use the experience he gains by working with the CTL to better prepare him for being a T.A. in graduate school.
Denis
Denis is a graduate student in history who has lots of experience
with writing all kinds of papers. Denis is easy to get along with
and am happy to help students with their writing. He considers
himself
also a nerd in about every sense of the word so I'm open
to students who want to talk.
Charles began his college career at WVC, a junior college in his hometown of Mt. Carmel, Illinois. After graduating in 2002, he enrolled at the University of Southern Indiana, finishing in 2005 with a degree in history. This is his third year of graduate school here at UIS, earning his Master of Arts (history) in October 2007, with additional course work in the UIS Communications graduate program. He has worked for the CTL since last fall, and his time here has convinced him of his interest in teaching, which he hopes to do at the junior college level. On a personal note, Charles is marrying his beautiful fiance, Kinsey, next summer in June 2008.
Favorite quote: “A good teacher is a guide on the side, not the sage on a stage.”
Quinishai
Quinishai obtained an Associates Degree from Richland Community College in Decatur, Illinois. She also graduated from Bradley University in Peoria with a Bachelors in Psychology and is now a Graduate student in the Human Services program at UIS. This is her second year in the CTL and her final year of the Graduate program. Quinishai is a Writing T.A. in the CTL, conducts workshops and meets with students in one-on-one appointments. Quinishai plans to use her Master's Degree to help inner-city and at-risk youth succeed in education and employment and live healthier lives.
Favorite Quote: "Freedom is a Beautiful Feeling." Michael Scherer- A Great Friend
Tip: Be flexible…no two people are the same and what worked once may never work again.
Kyle Sater, a first year graduate student in the history department, joins the CTL staff this semester as a TA in writing and composition. Kyle did his undergraduate work at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois where he studied primarily Western history, art history, and studio art. Originally from a west suburb of Chicago, he is excited to be on the UIS campus and in the historically-rich city of Springfield. In his spare time, he loves traveling, painting, jogging, and reading fiction – namely science-fiction and fantasy.
Favorite Quote: "Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Tip: "Don’t sweat the small stuff. Most of the things we worry about will probably never happen anyway."
Amy received her undergraduate degree in English with a Secondary Education certificate from Illinois College in Jacksonville. She taught high school English for a year before deciding to pursue her master's degree in English. She plans to return to the high school world after completing her degree to get teenagers excited about Shakespeare and Literature. Finally, she would like to eventually teach at the college level.
Interests: huge animal lover; has 1 dog (Bartok) and "several" cats; loves working in her yard and flowers, walking with my friend Stephanie, listening to music, and watching TV. Her favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird. Final note: she could eat Leo's Pizza almost every night!
Favorite Quote: "Behave yourself and act like you know something!" (Mom)
Tip: "Lose the 'I can't' talk - start with 'I'm going to try' then work your way into 'I can do this.'"
Charlene
Charlene received her BA in English with a minor in Biology from Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa. In the CTL, she works with students one-on-one and in studios and workshops. This is her first year at UIS as a graduate student in the English program, working her way to being a college professor. Charlene has two Chinese Shar Peis (Gordy and Zeuss) who run her life.
The quote she lives by: "Be the change you wish to see in the world." (Gandhi)
Nick
This is Nick's first year working with the Center for Teaching and Learning. Nick attended Lincoln Land Community College, and graduated with my Associates degree in 2005. I began attending the University of Illinois at Springfield the same year, and received my Bachelors in Developmental Psychology in 2007. He is currently enrolled in the Human Development Counseling Masters Program, and plan on pursuing a career as a school counselor. He assists the UNI 103 class.
Favorite Quote:
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” –Reinhold Niebuhr
Tabatha - Undergraduate Peer Tutor 
Tabatha is currently in the Capital Scholars Honors Program. Tabatha assists students enrolled in ENG 101 writing studio and tutors students in the general education composition classes.
Elizabeth (Liz) - Undergraduate Peer Tutor
Liz is a senior in the English Department here at UIS. This is her second year working as a Peer Tutor for the CTL. After receiving her BA, she plans to either pursue her Masters or teach high school. In her free time, Liz enjoys reading, writing, and hanging out with her friends and family.
Tip: In the words of Heather Armstrong “Keep writing. Keep doing it and doing it. Even in the moments when it's so hurtful to think about writing.”
