 |
Email: lsaussot@mines.edu
Background: LaDean Saussotte joined INTERLINK in November 1999. She has taught with other academic, intensive English programs including Teikyo Loretto Heights in Denver, Colorado and the University of Guam (in Guam, naturally!). She graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor’s degree in French Literature in 1982 and from the University of Connecticut with a Master’s degree in Linguistics in 1984. She has a total of over eight years total experience teaching ESL. |
Between one fourth and one half of the ILC/CSM students choose to live
with American families. Recruiting families interested in the students
is an exciting and
challenging part of the coordinator's job. A required homestay orientation
for both families AND students assists everyone in the adjustment. Follow-up
conferences are held with both parties, as are group activities such
as picnics, so that the lines of communication remain open.
She brings a wide range of experience to her teaching, as she has also worked as a translation coordinator for a software and technical manual translation firm, a word processing specialist for a geophysical company, an apprentice electrician, and a quality control inspector for a meat plant. At the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, she designed databases, set type, and helped install five miles of pneumatic and hydraulic tubing for the Air Force Titan IV launch pad, although not all at the same time. She also has extensive theatre experience, mostly acting, in high school, college and community theatres.
LaDean was born in Boulder, Colorado, just north of Golden. She spent most of her childhood in Arvada, while her father worked at Coors Porcelain Company in Golden. Did you know that Coors makes more than beer? They also make highly specialized, precision porcelain products for industrial applications, originally developed for use in their brewing plant. The smell of hops and yeast, common smells here near the brewery, bring back happy childhood memories for LaDean.
Teaching ESL is a childhood dream for LaDean. She never wanted
to be stuck in a dreary job, day after day, waiting to start living after
retirement. So few people find a way to make a living doing something
they love to do, and LaDean is enormously grateful for the opportunity
to be a part of INTERLINK at CSM, assisting our exceptional students fulfill
their dreams.