THE CETL FAMILY

CETL DIRECTOR

Lalita Subrahmanyan

Dr. Lalita Subrahmanyan is Professor of Elementary and Middle Level Education at St. Cloud State University.  Her PhD, obtained in 1993 from the State University of New York at Buffalo, was in Comparative Education with an emphasis on women in science. At SCSU, she has taught courses in middle level education and emerging adolescent development, curriculum and instruction, and the historical, philosophical and social foundations of education. She has also taught courses in the Honors program on women in science, women in South Asia and feminist perspectives on Hindu philosophy and practice. Her emphasis in her teaching and her work is on developing students to be thinking citizens in a global and pluralistic democracy. 

Lalita has had several years experience in schools in India, and in urban community development projects.  Additionally she has had extensive experience working with schools in Minnesota since 1993.  In 2000-02 she served as the cultural diversity coordinator in the St. Cloud schools. From 2001-2007 she directed, with two colleagues, a mentoring project in which mentors from St. Cloud State University were trained to work with students of diverse backgrounds from grades 7-12 in culturally appropriate mentoring relationships. Lalita has made several national and international presentations on curriculum and instruction, middle level education, multicultural education, social justice and related topics.

Lalita’s interests include Hindustani and Carnatic classical music and reading.

OFFICE MANAGER

Caryn Thole

Caryn Thole has been with CETL since January, 2006.

Caryn and her husband, Tony, enjoy living in the country near the Mississippi where they have raised five sons. Caryn likes reading, quilting, and repurposing furniture. Above all, she enjoys time with family, especially her three young grandsons. However, spending time with the two of them is usually through Skype and a yearly trip to Alaska for some real ‘face time’.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTS

Cara Grussing

Cara Grussing is completing the last year of her master's program in College Counseling and Student Development at St. Cloud State University. In addition to her work with CETL, she is a graduate facilitator for the COLL 150: Discovering the College Experience course at SCSU and an advising intern with the PIPEline Program at St. Cloud Technical and Community College. Her undergraduate degree was in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota, Morris, and she was an elementary and middle school teacher for three years before beginning her graduate study. Cara lives with her husband and young son in St. Cloud. She loves spending time with her family, reading, playing piano and watching movies.

Katie Webster

Katie Webster is in her first year of her master's program in Marriage and Family Therapy at St. Cloud State University. She grew up in the St. Cloud area with her mom, dad and younger brother Jim and recently moved back to the area after living in North Carolina and Oregon. She got married last summer and is enjoying life as a newlywed. Katie has an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. In her free time, she enjoys doing pottery, yoga, and loves spending time with friends.

STUDENT WORKERS

Bailey Adams

Bailey Adams is from Minneapolis, Minnesota where she lives with her Mom, Dad, identical twin sister and puppy, Henry. She will graduate from St. Cloud State University in the fall of 2013 with a double major in Sociology and Criminal Justice. She plans to continue on to law school and become a district attorney. Bailey thoroughly enjoys reading and playing badminton and loves to play with her puppy Henry when she goes home. In the summer Bailey enjoys going to her cabin and tanning with her Nana and shopping with her sister and Mom, as well as watching Gilmore Girls.

Whitnee Herrling

Whitnee Herrling is a Sophomore at St. Cloud State University. She is majoring in biological sciences with an emphasis on pre-medical studies.  She is also an active member in the University Honors Program.  After she completes her bachelor’s degree, Whitnee hopes to attend medical school and specialize in pediatric medicine. Whitnee is originally from Middleton, Wisconsin where she lived with her parents and two younger sisters. In her free time, Whitnee enjoys attending cooking and baking classes.  She also enjoys playing ice hockey and spending time with her friends and family outdoors.