Mandy Gearhart possesses extensive experience in workforce development and education, currently serving as Associate Director of Workforce Development at Trellus since August 2014, with previous roles including Adult Education and Literacy Manager, ESL Coordinator, and English Second Language Instructor. Prior to Trellus, Mandy taught English to over 140 students at Aran Language School in South Korea and worked as a substitute teacher across various age groups and subjects at Northwest Regional Education Service District. Mandy also gained teaching experience as a student teacher at St. Helens High School. In terms of education, Mandy holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language from Northeastern Illinois University and a Bachelor’s Degree in English Language and Literature from Warner Pacific University.
Trellus
Trellus is a nonprofit that exists to empower immigrants, refugees, and underserved communities in Chicago to thrive by removing barriers and providing supports that create opportunities for life. Headquartered in West Ridge—one of Chicago’s major refugee settlement neighborhoods—we serve individuals and families representing more than 50 nations and ethnicities. Our culturally responsive, comprehensive services include trauma-informed behavioral health counseling, case management, health education, ESL and technology classes, career training and job placement, and other supportive services. We also operate Passages Charter School, a pre-K to 8 charter school in the Andersonville neighborhood keenly focused on the needs and experience of refugee families.