June 2024

RE: STEM Educator Position

To the hiring comittee for the STEM Tutor Supervisory position at St. Louis Community College-

Greetings! Thank you for considering my application for a supervisory position directing the STEM tutors on one

of the campuses at St. Louis Community College! In reviewing my background and accomplishments summarized

in this letter and attached resume (also available in pdf format at www.SuzannesTutoring.com/Suzanne-Roussin) you

will find I am your best applicant, bringing with me the specific qualities needed, for this position. Not only do I have

>20 years’ experience as an educator; but, being a tutor and trainer, and as a graduate of St. Louis Community College

myself, I am already familiar with the school’s specific tutoring and Academic Success Centers, as well as with the

specific demographics of students attending StLCC. I understand exactly what is needed to provide excellent educational

assistance to StLCC students, regardless of their background, prior education, and learning accomodation needs.

I grew up involved in music and theater and put these performance skills to use as a public speaker from a very young age.

I have traveled around the country giving motivational speeches, addressing issues ranging from disabilities to domestic

violence. In tandem with my involvement in the performing arts and public speaking, I taught music theory and piano to

high school students. I was especially successful with students who thought that reading music was “just too hard”. By taking

time to encourage them and explaining concepts clearly and within context, students easily understood and quickly applied

it, much to their surprise!

However, as my students became excited about learning such an intimidating subject, they would inevitably remark,

“Oh, if only MATH were this easy!” My response is the same today as it was then: “If you understand music; you

already understand math. You just need to take a few minutes with someone who can break it down in a language you

understand.” My music students subsequently became my math students, then science students, etc., and I became

an academic tutor. Even when a successful columnist, writing for several health magazines and the entertainment

industry, or even when taking to the stage myself; I have continued tutoring AP and beginning college students off and

on throughout the years.

My college degreed education was initially in healthcare and education, and I received my Ed.D. (equivalent) and

N.D. in Natural Medicine. However, I felt that I could only go so far with that specialty, and my interests ultimately

turned to anatomy, chemistry, and microbiology, stemming from my interest in a deeper understanding of the

biochemical processes in living systems. Returning to school after a 15-year period, I studied Biotechnology under

the tutelage of Dr. Elizabeth “Besty” Boedecker, the District Director of the Center for Plant & Life Sciences, and

eventually Dr. Greg Langland, the Program Director for Biotechnology, at Danforth/Bridgepark through StLCC’s

Florissant Valley campus. I received several merit-based scholarships, continuously made the Dean’s list, and

was named 2021 Missouri’s All-State Academic through the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Receiving both my

certificate of specialization and A.A.S. in Biotechnology with Magna Cum Laude honors and Phi Theta Kappa

distinction, I have springboarded off to work in laboratories and to gain admittance into UMSL’s Double B.S./

Master’s program in Biotechnology and Biochemistry.

While attending StLCC, I began tutoring Anatomy & Physiology in the Bone Room at Forest Park, recommended

by the Biology Dept. Chair, Dr. Alvarez. I was also hired as a Peer Tutor by Kelly Askey, Supervisor of Peer

Tutoring & Student Success at Florissant Valley. I immediately began to receive student praise for the clear

and helpful ways I explain complex subject matter, my study technique suggestions, and my interpersonal

communication skills. The Success Center started receiving requests for me personally from students, and I

developed “regulars”: students requesting me for tutoring in many different subjects, semester after semester. While

it is inevitable that some who seek tutoring wait too late into the semester to be able to completely catch up, I am

proud to say the majority of my students in that position at least improved, and most finished with the confidence,

clarity, and newfound study skills to return the following semester and pass the class.

I am extremely interested in speaking with you personally about this position and in the opportunity to further

represent myself as your ideal candidate for this role. Please contact me with the best time and method for us to

connect. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Sincerely,

Suzanne Roussin

sRoussin2@stlcc.edu

Find me on LinkedIn

www.YouTube.com/SuzannesTutoring

Continue to my CV at www.SuzannesTutoring.com/Suzanne-Roussin

To the hiring team-

Anatomy of the Brain

Click here to continue to my CV/Resume

Studying, Learning, and Tutoring

A 4-Tentpole Approach

Before launching straight into the technicalities, first I'd like to provide some very effective study tips for everyone!

I try to speak slowly and clearly to include everyone's needed processing speed. However, if you find that I'm speaking too slowly for your attention span, just speed up the playback speed to 1.5, 1.75 - or even 2x if you're adventurous!