About Us
Susan Morris-Rutledge, Ph.D
Susan is currently an associate professor in the Department of Education at the California University of Pennsylvania. She has been teaching English as a Second language (ESL) and about ESL for approximately 24 years. Her doctorate is from The University of Mississippi in Curriculum in TESOL (Teaching English to speakers of other languages). She was designated one of TESOL’s 30 up and coming in 2016. She currently teaches all of the undergraduate and graduate ESL courses required for teacher certification and coordinates the ESL specialist teacher preparation program at the graduate level.
Joe DiLucente
Joe DiLucente is the founder and lead consultant for English Language Starts, LLC. As a former ESL teacher and current administrator, and adjunct professor in the field, Joe created ELS to promote access to creative and fulfilling learning environments that represent the needs of dynamic learners. The need for accessibility that goes beyond content accommodations to account for each student's language- and culture-based interpretations of their learning is central to the vision of ELS, LLC. Joe has explored the intersection of behavioral and academic interventions for English learners concerning their linguistic and cultural needs. He plans to create on-demand resources for school counselors and school psychologists to become more aware of factors that enable English learners to access their full range of needs. These factors include the role of second language acquisition within the multidisciplinary evaluation process, how to determine equitable access to gifted education via the full range of screening criteria, and more.
Molly Thompson
Molly Thompson is a dedicated school counselor at Waynesburg Central High School, where she supports students' academic, social, and emotional growth. Before joining Waynesburg, she served as the Junior High School Counselor at Greensburg Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School, working closely with students in grades seven through nine. Molly also contributed to a federally funded HRSA grant at California University of Pennsylvania, where she helped deliver mental health training and internship incentives aimed at supporting rural and underserved communities. She is a firm believer in the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration to foster the well-being and success of every student.