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Susie A. Navone, M.Ed
Director
Growing up, I knew I wanted a career where I could help people. As an adult, I also wanted a career that empowered people to realize their dreams and to have a voice in their community. I’ve found as an educator, I can do both. For ten years, I worked as an English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Education instructor. I worked closely with the Hispanic and refugee communities and enjoyed learning from my students. From 1998 to 2001, I taught with technical skills instructors to help low-income students gain skills for employment in the manufacturing and warehousing industries. In 2001, I accepted a position with our Title III team and became responsible for developing resources to help students succeed in their training programs. From that position, I developed a vision for a center where students could learn about our training programs and determine which ones may match their interests and goals. I also wanted it to be a center where students could find learning resources that would help them to succeed in their programs, and ultimately help them find a job upon completion of their training program. That vision became the Student Success Center and I love my job as its Director.
Michelle Iko
Placement Coordinator
I really enjoy working with students to assist them with their goals and help them reach their dreams. Beginning as a secretary in a non-profit organization, I was able to obtain my BA degree 16 years after I left high school. I then moved into direct service working with families and children as a parenting group facilitator and parent mentor coordinator. I was then given the opportunity to work with volunteers to support families at risk. I worked as a case manager at a transitional housing program for mothers and their young children. In this position I saw very clearly how getting ready for, obtaining and keeping a job increased the confidence of these individuals and encouraged them to continue heading toward their goals. As the Placement Coordinator I am here to assist and support instructors and students with their placement needs.
Karma Forbes
Counselor, Special Needs
As a Counselor at Renton Technical College, I provide career counseling and academic advising to students. In my role as Special Needs Counselor, I help students with disabilities access services to help them succeed in our programs. In addition to the services I provide directly to RTC Technical Program students, I work with our Assessment Counselor to serve Basic Studies students with special needs whose goals include GED completion and/or attending technical programs and Business Technology.
Renton Technical College excels in offering hands-on learning, which many students find as an ideal match to their learning style. In addition to over 20 years experience in educational counseling, I am trained as a Learning Disabilities Specialist. I especially enjoy helping students find effective strategies to address their learning challenges by identify and utilizing their strengths to their fullest.
Jimmie Smith, M. Ed.
Counselor, Post-Assessment
Education is my career of choice. I have worked in the field of education for over 25 years in several different roles. It is a pleasure to work with students, helping them set goals and guiding them on the path as they pursue their dreams and reach those goals. At Renton Technical College I counsel students concerning their COMPASS placement results and give guidance to students in the Basic Studies program.
Radka Čermáková
Learning Support Coordinator
I am very happy to be a member of the Renton Technical College team and have the opportunity to give students a helping hand while they pursue higher education. Being a recent graduate, I understand the struggle that many students experience on their way to fulfill their dreams.
Being an immigrant, I am aware of the sometimes difficult process that is adjusting to living in a foreign country with little or no assistance, something that many of our foreign-born students encounter.
My educational background is in languages and I am fluent in several. I also have an interest to know about different cultures. After I graduated from a university in Europe, I decided to settle in the USA.
As a Learning Support Coordinator at Renton Technical College, I provide services to students with disabilities, technical training on assistive technologies, personal coaching of students with disabilities, and help coordinate the peer tutor program.
Helping students is very fulfilling. I am very happy to be a part of the Student Success Center team.
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