Who We Are
About Language Ladder Online Courses
My name is Debbie Kilstein, and I am the founder of Language Ladder. With 40 years of experience teaching English as a Second Language and Spanish, I have dedicated my career to helping others communicate effectively. I hold a master’s degree in Spanish, German, and ESL from Stony Brook University. For 33 years, I taught Spanish at Island Trees High School in Levittown, New York, and served as an adjunct professor at Suffolk County Community College. Additionally, I worked as a job placement counselor at Temp Force, where I helped secure employment for Latin American workers who did not speak English. My passion for teaching, combined with my extensive knowledge of other cultures gained through travel to Europe and Latin America, drives my commitment to language education. My mission is to guide people on their language learning journey, helping them assimilate into society, improve workplace productivity, and advance in their careers.
Meet Our Educators
Highly Educated, Experienced, and Passionate About Teaching
Florence Abanda
Monday 5pm -7:30pm Wednesday 7:30pm-9pm
Thursday 5pm-6:30pm
Thursday 5pm-6:30pm
Florence earned her M.S. in School Counseling from Long Island University. She has over 20 years experience in the education field. She is currently working as a school counselor in the Valley Stream Central High School District on Long Island. She also dedicates her spare time to volunteer work and is a member of New York Cares.
Patricia Braddick
Tuesday and Thursday 5pm-6:30pmTrish earned her master's degree from Touro College in General/Special Education Early Childhood. She has 12 years of teaching experience and is currently working at Roosevelt Children’s Academy Charter School.
Ada Marcus
Sunday 10am-11:30am Friday 4pm-5:30pmAda has more than 40 years of teaching experience. She taught ELA in the DOE in NYC. She earned her master’s degree in Education and Reading. She has served as a volunteer for Nassau Literacy teaching English to non- English speakers.
Jennifer Maher
Tuesday and Wednesday 8pm- 9:30 pmJennifer earned her MA in education from Adelphi University. She has 25 years of teaching experience and is proficient in Spanish. She taught adult ESL for many years at Suffolk County Community College .
Shayla Sanchez
Monday through Friday 11am-4pm
Saturday and Sunday 11am-2pm
Shayla is an instructor and translator at a financial institution in South Carolina. She is fluent in Spanish and grew up in a bilingual household.
Teresa Sanchez
Thursday 5pm- 6:30pm Saturday 3pm- 4:30pm
Teresa has been teaching for 15 years. Teresa is bilingual and she served as a translator for individuals who could not speak English.
Enrique Galindo
Tuesday & Thursdays 4pm-5:30pm Saturday 8am-9:30amEnrique is an experienced commercial airline pilot and he has served as an aviation instructor. He was born in Spain and speaks Spanish and English fluently.
Vanessa Grajales
Saturday 9am-12pmVanessa earned her master’s degree from John Jay University in security management. Her family is from Colombia and she grew up speaking Spanish and English.
Nicole Dzieciol
Tuesday and Thursday 5:30pm- 7pm
Nicole earned her MSED in Special Education from Queens College. She has been teaching for 6 years and currently teaches at Roosevelt Children’s Academy Charter School.
Jenna Ferrante
Tuesday and Thursday 3:30- 5pmJenna earned her master’s degree in Childhood Special Education from Adelphi University. She has several years of teaching experience and she currently works in the Hicksville School District.
Alix Cassagnol
Tuesday, 4pm-5:30pm | Monday, 4pm-5:30pm | Wednesday, 4pm-5:30pm
Alix has 20 years of teaching experience with children and adults. He holds an advanced certificate in Homeland SecurityManagement from Adelphi University. He served as an NYPD officer and during his tenure, he was a Counter-Terrorism Instructor. He also spoke to students at local schools about safety matters. He is a member of My Brother’s Keeper.
Jacqui Lefebre
Monday, 4:30pm - 6pm | Wednesday, 5:30pm-7pm | Thursday, 4:30pm - 6pm | Sunday, 7pm - 8:30pm
Jacqui has worked as a substitute teacher in the Volusia County Schools in Florida for over 13 years. She is currently working as a paraprofessional lab facilitator in the Seminole County Schools in the computer lab.
Donna Hurley
Monday-6pm-7:30 Friday 5pm-6:30pm
Donna earned her M.S. from CUNY Baruch College in Business and Distributive Education. Donna worked for an International Law Firm in New York City for 10 years. She has 17 years of teaching experience and she is currently working in the Island Trees School District as a permanent substitute teacher.
Brenna Kovarik
Tuesday & Thursday 5pm-6:30pm 7pm-8:30pmBrenna earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Florida Gulf Coast University. She has fifteen years of teaching experience. She was born in South Korea but was raised in South Florida after being adopted at 6 months old. She has an understanding of cultural diversity from growing up in South Florida amongst a vast Hispanic population. Her husband and three kids are also Puerto Rican. I appreciate the Hispanic culture, especially the food! I have a deep love for the English language and look forward to teaching other adults to do the same.
Grace Scura
Monday through Friday 6pm-7:30pmGrace earned her M.A. in Special Education and Autism at Long Island University. She served as a math teacher at Roosevelt Children’s Academy Charter School and currently works as a teacher in the Bayport- Bluepoint School District. She also is a fencing coach in the Sayville School District.
Amanda Scorzelli
Tuesday and Thursday 6pm-7:30pmAmanda holds an Undergraduate Degree in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Special Education, along with a Master’s Degree in Literacy (Birth-Grade 6). With 13 years of teaching experience, Amanda has worked with students from second to third grade, helping them grow academically and personally. Her passion for education is rooted in the belief that learning is a lifelong journey, and she strives to inspire her students with the message that "knowledge is power." Amanda is dedicated to creating a classroom environment where curiosity is encouraged and every student feels empowered to learn something new every day.
Nina Nieves
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 7pm-9:30pmSunday 11am-12:30pm
Nina is a health and wellness coach and she has dedicated her free time to work with several organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Long island Cares and Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Jean Salino Rettura
Friday 4:30pm-6pm Saturday 10am-11:30am
Jean earned her B.S. in Spanish Education from S.U.N.Y. at Stony Brook and a Master’s Degree in Spanish Education from Queens College C.U.N.Y. With over 30 years of teaching experience at Walter G. O'Connell-Copiague High School, Jean has dedicated her career to language education. She also has extensive experience in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), having worked with adults in the Copiague Adult Education Program for more than a decade. Jean has taught English to factory workers at Prestige Cabinets and served as an Adjunct Instructor for ESL at both S.U.N.Y. Farmingdale and Suffolk Community College. Her passion for language learning and dedication to helping adults navigate the complexities of the English language make her an invaluable part of the Language Ladder team.
Julieth Rodriguez
Wednesday at 7:00pm - 8:30pmSaturday at 9:00am- 10:30am
Hello, my name is Julieth Rodriguez, I'm from Colombia. I was 15 years old when I came to the United States in 1986, I didn't know any English then, in fact I didn't like English. Now I work with special needs children in a pre school as a head teacher assistant. I help the teacher carry out the lesson plan throughout the day.
Shamar Sanchez
Monday through Friday 9am-2pmShamar earned her master’s degree in ESL from Saint Peter’s University in New Jersey. She has several years of teaching experience and she grew up speaking Spanish and English.
Amy Seal
Monday & Wednesday 4pm-5:30pm Saturday 9am-10:30amAmy was the Director of Corporate Training at Suffolk County Community College. She designed and implemented workplace English programs which enabled thousands of students to learn the English language. She also served as an English instructor as well. She earned an MBA from Dowling College.
Brianna Simeoli
Tuesday 5pm- 6:30pm Wednesday 4pm-5:30pmBrianna earned a master’s degree in English Education from Adelphi University. She has been teaching for several years and currently works at Roosevelt Children’s Academy Charter School.
Laura Arkin
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:15-5:45Laura earned a master’s degree in Education from Stony Brook University. She taught third grade in the Middle Country School District. She has over 20 years of teaching experience and she speaks Spanish and English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What levels of language courses do you offer?
We offer courses for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners. Our programs are tailored to meet the specific needs of each level, ensuring that every student can progress at their own pace.
Do you provide individualized language sessions?
Yes, we offer one-on-one sessions to provide personalized instruction tailored to your specific language learning goals. These sessions are designed to address your unique needs and accelerate your progress.
What industries do your language programs cover?
Our language programs cover a variety of industries including customer service, retail, banking and finance, construction, transportation, and more. We focus on industry-specific vocabulary and communication skills to help you succeed in your field.
How do you make your language lessons practical and relevant?
We incorporate role play, problem-solving activities, and real-life simulations into our lessons. This approach ensures that learners can apply their new language skills in both everyday situations and professional settings.
Can I take group classes as well as individual sessions?
Absolutely! We offer both group instruction and individual sessions. Group classes provide an interactive learning environment, while individual sessions offer personalized attention. You can choose the format that best suits your learning style and needs.
Ready to Transform Your Language Skills?
Discover the power of effective communication with Language Ladder in Melville, NY. Enroll now and start your journey to fluency!