Adult Education Staff

Tricia B. Kesterson, Adult Education Manager, manages the day to day aspects of the program, including staff supervision. She has a Master’s degree in Adult Education curriculum and instruction from Seattle University, over 25 years experience teaching adult literacy, and is certified as a ProLiteracy trainer. Tricia is also responsible for our Workplace Education program, collaborating with local businesses to teach ESL and basic literacy skills to workers. Tricia was hired in 1999.
Debbie Moretti, Literacy Coordinator, assesses the skills of new basic literacy students and matches each student with a volunteer tutor. She meets with students and tutors regularly to oversee quarterly goal-setting, and provide on-going support for tutors. Debbie has a Master's degree in Learning Disabilities and Behavioral Disorders from National-Louis University. She has experience teaching at the elementary and secondary level as well as tutoring adults. She joined our team in 1999.
Marci Williams, ESL Coordinator, has a BA in Education from Western Washington University, a TESOL certificate, and 13 years experience teaching and tutoring in the public schools. She is responsible for organizing classes, supporting and coordinating volunteers, and assisting with student support in the ESL program which operates from the Bellevue office. Marci began with us as an AmeriCorps member in 1997 and was hired onto the staff in 1999.
Joanne Hufnagel, Literacy Coordinator, has a BA in business and marketing from the University of Puget Sound and 11 years training experience in the corporate sector. She joined Eastside Literacy in 1989 and is certified as a ProLiteracy trainer. Additionally, she has coordinated our family literacy program since 1993. Joanne continues to participate in training new tutors and also teaches in our workplace education program.
Maude Houston, Adult Education Coordinator, has a Master's Degree in Library Science and a BA in English. She first came to Eastside Literacy as a volunteer librarian in 1997. Currently, Maude is responsible for coordination of ESL, literacy, money management, cooking and computer classes in Northshore and Shoreline. She has formerly worked as a public reference librarian and has been an AmeriCorps member.
Lynn Torsello, Administrative Assistant, manages the literacy office, including the student and volunteer database and the collection and preparation of program data for reports to funders. She supervises the volunteers who greet new students and volunteers. Lynn has been with us for over ten years and is responsible for the smooth operation of our learning center.
Heather Sipple, Computer Education Coordinator, is responsible for organizing classes, managing volunteers, assisting students, selecting curriculum, and maintaining equipment in our computer education program. Heather has a B.A. in Communications and over twelve years of combined experience in computer and vocational training, program coordination, curriculum editing, volunteer teaching, and tutoring. This includes seven years in community based organizations and five years in the community college system. Heather joined Hopelink in 2006.
Claire Makins, Administrative Assistant, provides intake and testing of new students, supports the ESL coordinators and the front desk, manages student data, and provides information to potential students. She has a BA in Spanish from Western Washington University, a TESOL certificate, and seven years of program administration and teaching experience. She has been here since 2006.
Katie Brotten, ESL Coordinator, has a BA in Spanish and a TESOL certificate from Western Washington University. She has taught English and volunteered in China and in Peru, working with both children and adults. Before coming to Hopelink, she taught ESL at Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen, WA. She is responsible for coordinating and supporting volunteers, organizing classes, and addressing student needs in Bellevue and Issaquah. She joined Hopelink in September 2006.