"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." — Mahatma Gandhi
Meet Robyn
On a frigid February morning, the students in Debbie Geppert’s first-grade classroom were journaling ideas on how to help the homeless stay warm. One by one, the pint-sized writers ask their classroom assistant, Robyn Heath, for guidance.
Robyn, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, has been working at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School on Chicago’s North Side since January 2018. Before that, she had been looking for work without much luck. With the help of Patti Herbst, the director for the Center for Independence and Teaching Together Chicago, Robyn was matched with St. Ben’s, just six blocks from her house. She was the first person with a disability to work at the school.
Robin now works four mornings a week helping first-graders with reading, writing, story time, and helping Ms. Geppert with administrative tasks.
Robin says, “When the kids first met me they had questions like ‘Why are you in a wheelchair?’ and ‘Why can’t you walk?’ I told them my muscles work differently. I was born this way.” That was it. The kids accepted her and look to her for help.
The school easily made small modifications to accommodate Robyn’s wheelchair, such as putting bungee cords on interior door handles so that Robyn can pull the doors shut as she moves around the school.
Robyn wants to be a classroom teacher and has one year of elementary education coursework completed at Wilbur Wright College!
It fits with our mission of who we say we are... rooted in the Catholic faith
that all are welcome. It’s our job to educate all students, and I think it is important for kids to grow up with all kinds of people, so that they are accepting and learn to appreciate all life, and that everyone is a person of dignity and worth." — Rachel Gemo, Principal at St. Benedict Preparatory
A Sample of Success
Here is a small sampling of our paid interns who are now working as employees in Chicagoland schools. As you can see, they are enjoying gainful employment, are active members in their communities, and are making a difference in the lives of others.
Meet Ashley M.
SAINT ISADORE, BLOOMINGDALE
SAINT ISIDORE, BLOOMINGDALE
Ashley assists students and teachers in the classroom with daily tasks and also works in the religious education department.
Meet Rob R.
QUEEN OF ANGELS, CHICAGO
Rob helps the classroom teacher grade papers, quiz students, and stay organized. He also enjoys working as a recess monitor.
Meet Erin H.
SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS, WESTERN SPRINGS
Erin works in the classroom assisting teachers and students, and also works in the school office helping with clerical work.
Meet Julia C.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION – ST. JOSEPH, CHICAGO
Julia works with students one-on-one helping them with math and spelling. She loves reading to the students and having them read to her.
Meet Anthony F.
BROTHER RICE HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO
Anthony works hard to keep the school clean, safe, and organized. He also helps coaches and students during summer sports camp.
Meet Tom G.
SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS, WESTERN SPRINGS
You’ll find Tom in the P.E. department where he’s responsible for keeping the equipment clean and organized. Tom also runs the milk distribution program in the cafeteria.
Let's Work Together!
Teaching Together has successfully (and proudly) helped young adults gain skills they are now using as paid employees. We’d love to talk to you about how we can work together to improve the lives of those living with daily challenges!
CONTACT
Joanne Callahan
708-204-6856 or Email
Teaching Together Chicago is a program of Center for Independence through Conductive Education Inc., an Illinois nonprofit under Section 501 C 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. The mission of the Center is to help people with disabilities achieve their highest level of potential.
Learn more about the Center.