Richard Dominguez
Executive Director |
Richard Dominguez joined the Board of Directors for Literacy Chicago in 2008 and transitioned to become Literacy Chicago‘s Treasurer in the fall of 2010. Richard accepted the role as Executive Director for Literacy Chicago in December 2013. He feels passionate about adult education and literacy because his parents also faced the same challenges as many of the Literacy Chicago students whose first language isn't English. He witnessed first hand his parents' struggles throughout the years due to their limited education. Today Richard strives to make a difference by assisting individuals in learning how to read and write.
Prior to joining Literacy Chicago, Richard was an entrepreneur who owned two successful small businesses and was a Vice President/Corporate-Commercial Transition Project Manager for Bank of America Corporation. During his 25 years in the financial industry he established a proven track record with his progressive leadership skills, client and employee education training programs, risk analysis and budget management abilities. Richard brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his current role as Executive Director for Literacy Chicago. Richard has a passion for learning. He is also an advocate for helping people within the Chicagoland communities to develop and to reach their literacy goals. He hopes to raise more awareness for this important and vital adult education organization. Richard has a Bachelor of Science and Business Management from the University of Illinois in Chicago. |
Marilyn Murchison
Operations/Program Manager |
Marilyn Murchison is the Operations/Program Manager at Literacy Chicago. She has been with the organization since 2006, overseeing all office functions and managing grant reporting and compliance. She manages extensive ESL, GED and ABE programs including testing, placement, and orientation. She works closely with the instructors to ensure that Literacy Chicago's classes meet with Illinois standards of higher education. Marilyn is a member of the Chicago Area Planning Council whose mission is to promote dialogue, partnerships, and collaborations among all entities in Chicago concerned with the development of a literate adult population. Marilyn attended community college in Chicago studying Business Administration and worked at a variety of offices before joining the Literacy Chicago team. In 2010 Marilyn received the "Literacy Hero" award from Literacy Chicago. She is the face of Literacy Chicago for all that come in need of educational services.
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Joanne Telser-Frère
Director of Program Development |
Born in Chicago, Joanne has always been an adventurer. She has lived and worked in France, Pakistan, Egypt, and Qatar. Joanne is fluent in French and can get by in Arabic. Communication has always been important in her choice of jobs. In Qatar she was a journalist for French and English radio stations, the local press and Qatar TV. In Paris, after teaching English for many years, she became Academic Director at a prestigious language school. Upon her return to Chicago she spent four years developing and teaching Cognitive Fitness programs before accepting a position teaching ESL and citizenship courses. A member of Toastmasters International, Joanne received the Distinguished Toastmaster Award, the highest level of educational achievement in Toastmasters and holds her degree in French from the University of Illinois. As Director of Program Development at Literacy Chicago since 2016, Joanne enjoys this adventure of enriching lives by helping adults in her hometown.
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Jeannie Araujo
Transition Coordinator
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Jeannie is the Transition Coordinator for Literacy Chicago. Her relationship with Literacy Chicago began in 2018 when she started volunteering as a tutor and Citizenship class instructor. Previously, she served as Director of Production at Encyclopedia Britannica Educational Corporation, and also worked as an editor/project manager for a variety of international educational publishing houses. Her interest in education and literacy began when she served as a TEFL volunteer in Thailand with the Peace Corps.
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Our Instructors
Jan Derrick
GED |
Jan Derrick joined Literacy Chicago as a part-time instructor in an off-site workforce initiative. Recognizing her skills and commitment to students’ success, she was offered a full-time position wherein she would merge workforce, GED, and literacy initiatives. In this position, she provided oversight to off-site instructors, ensuring that Literacy Chicago’s vision was incorporated across programs. Jan expanded Literacy Chicago’s courses for digital technology, literacy, and GED classes to enhance instructors’ ability to integrate technology and employment skills. She further took the initiative to develop relationships with colleges and service organizations to remove barriers to students’ success.
Jan’s passion lies in helping students realize their dreams and leading them to colleges, service organizations, and certification programs that can support successful transitions that will make a difference in their lives. Outside of the workplace, Jan is actively involved in community and civic organizations that promote educational equality and employment in underserved communities. She graduated from Northwestern University with a Ph.D.C. in Radio/TV/Film and a M.A. English. |
Dorcas Riddick
GED |
Dorcas Riddick, affectionately called Miss Dee, dedicates her life to service as an educator, facilitator, coach and trainer. She makes a conscious, deliberate effort to disrupt the story one believes about him/herself, to introduce the belief in possibilities, to add value to learners, and to impact destinies, if need be, one person or hundreds of people at a time in teachable moments. Dorcas Riddick answers her call with passion helping diverse under privileged, underserved people groups achieve their ABE/GED/ASE personal, academic, and/or professional goals in remote and/or in person instructional modalities.
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Bruce Ingram
ESL |
Bruce Ingram comes to ESL after 25 years in arts journalism, writing and editing for a number of national and Chicago-area publications. After becoming a certified ESL instructor in 2017, he began teaching Chinese children online before turning to teaching and tutoring in person in a variety of Chicago settings—particularly enjoying teaching adults from around the world at Literacy Chicago. In addition to working on the basics of grammar and reading comprehension, we always take time to engage in conversation and exchange ideas. Bruce has an undergraduate degree in theater and film and a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University.
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Marisol Guzman ESL and Digital Literacy
Marisol Guzman is a Digital Literacy and ESL instructor. Born and raised in the Little Village area, she saw firsthand the challenges a predominantly immigrant-base community has, as well as the tremendous opportunity that comes from investing in one's community.