Tutors in the Writer's Resource Lab are CSULB undergraduate and graduate students interested in helping other students become better writers. They are all excellent writers, and most are preparing for careers teaching writing at the high school, community college, or university level. In fact, some are tutoring and teaching writing courses simultaneously. All of our tutors are required to participate in on-going training so that they are aware of current issues/practices in tutoring and can further develop their skills in teaching writing.
Janelle Brunner was initially driven to return to academia during her former career as an Educational Sign Language Interpreter. She is currently completing her Master of Arts degree in Literature, with an emphasis on English Renaissance Drama. She is obsessed with the Food Network and loves hanging out with her new puppy, Wally.
Samantha Castillon is in her first year of the MA program in English Literature at CSULB. She worked in the Writer's Resource Lab during the fall of 2007 and is looking forward to tutoring again this year. Outside of reading and analyzing great works of literature for her classes, Samantha enjoys far too much television viewing, movie watching, and other activities detrimental to her studies. She also loves baking, purchasing cookbooks, and finding cute shoes in her size.
Michelle Fagundes earned her BA in English from Cal State Fullerton. Shortly after, she perfected her knowledge of British English while serving pints in London. After returning home she was a high school substitute teacher for a year before deciding to pursue an MA in English at CSULB, with hopes of teaching English at the college level. Now she spends her time tutoring and trying desperately to stay caught up with her studies. When she has free time, Michelle enjoys sitting in the sunshine and pursuing her newly discovered passion for needlecrafts like cross-stitch and crochet. Sometimes she does them both at the same time. She also drinks inordinate amounts of coffee and tea
Jennifer Gianunzio is currently working toward an M.A. in English with an emphasis in American Literature. She has previously taught at the middle school level and worked as a teaching associate for the CSULB English program. Along with tutoring, Jennifer enjoys trying to play the piano and tennis.
Adrienne Grissom is an English-Creative Writing major. She transferred from Long Beach City College, and is very fond of the experiences she had there. This is her first semester tutoring at the WRL, and she is very excited to be a part of it. As for her life outside of school, Adrienne is also a professional makeup artist who caters primarily to bridal parties and other special occasion needs. She is also currently employed at Too Faced Cosmetics as a freelance makeup artist, where she regularly visits boutiques and salons. In her down time, which is few and far between, Adrienne enjoys spending time with her loved ones, writing as often as possible, being politically aware, reading anything she can get her hands on, and seeing lots of live music..
E. Jann Harris is a 3rd generation graduate of The Beach. She is beginning her sixth semester tutoring at the Writer's Resource Lab and currently teaches Composition to freshman writers. She graduated in 2007 with a dual undergraduate degree in English Education and Religious Studies and a Secondary Teaching Credential and is currently a second year graduate student working toward an M.A. in English with an emphasis in Rhetoric and Composition. She believes working with developmental writers is her greatest challenge and delight, and her favorite thing about being born and raised in Long Beach, California is people's assumption that she lives in the "ghetto" and hangs out with Snoop.
Danielle Locken received her B.A. in English Literature from CSULB in the fall of 2007, but couldn’t seem to pry herself away, so she’s back for more and currently in her second year of study in the M.A. program in English Literature, with an emphasis on 20th century American Literature. In her few free moments, Danielle can be found snapping photos, swimming in clean pools, hiking, or lounging on her couch.
Paul Richard is slowly pursuing an MA degree in Literature, and hopes to remain in school forever, or until the end of the world -- whichever comes first. Apart from a genuine interest in helping people (including himself) become better writers, Paul has considerable interest in spaghetti sauce, root beer, and Chuck Norris.
Jessica Rinehart is a first year graduate student studying American literature. She received her BA from CSULB in English Literature. This is her first year as a tutor in the WRL. She is originally from Southern California and loves living by the beach. She tries to find free time for drawing and her favorite authors are William Faulkner and Toni Morrison.
Kristina Shepherd is still working towards her undergrad degree in English Ed. and Rhetoric and Composition, but will finally be graduating this Spring. She is originally from San Jose, CA. In her spare time she enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with her two dogs, Juliet and Nikki. She hopes to one day become a high school English teacher, but in the meantime enjoys tutorig at the WRL, where she has worked the last two semesters. In the near future she would like to rescue a Doberman Pinscher and name it Romeo.
Cortney Smethurst recently graduated from Cal State University, Long Beach, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Rhetoric and Composition as well as a minor in Comparative World Literature. She is now returning to the CSULB campus as a graduate student of the English department, seeking to explore her emphasis in rhetoric and composition more thoroughly. Although the fall 2009 semester will be her first semester as a tutor in the Writer’s Resource Lab, she has worked as a writing tutor for both the Bickerstaff Center for Student-Athlete Academic Services and the Educational Opportunity Program’s Summer Bridge Program. In addition to Cortney’s academic interests in rhetoric and composition, cultural studies, digital/visual rhetoric, and documentary film theory and approach, her personal interests include writing, reading, painting, surfing, hiking, and baking. She also loves the smell of libraries and used-books stores.
