The conference is only six weeks away, and every week, we'll highlight one ARRM Cares winner. Don't forget: The ARRM Cares ceremony is Thursday, May 19, 2011 in the late afternoon--at 3:45 p.m. rather than during the lunch hour. (Attendees will be treated to dessert.) KARE11 anchor Rena Sarigianopoulos will once again emcee the event. As in previous years, ARRM Cares winners and nominees must register for the conference.
Winner: Deb Grant
Nominator: Becky Apitz
Agency: MBW Company
Teaching, as defined in the dictionary, is a way of imparting knowledge to others. Knowing what and how to teach requires good listening skills, the ability to create an enthusiastic environment where learning is valued, and the vision to develop creative ways to teach Lisa, Laura, Kathy, and members of the team.
Deb Grant is a highly skilled staff person who works at a home supporting three young women with many capabilities. However, it is her innate gift to listen and to teach that amazes all who work with her. In her calm, quiet, and extremely humble manner, Deb supports Lisa, Laura and Kathy by doing with, not for.
A few years ago, Deb supported the ladies to perform in a People First theatre presentation, shadowing Lisa as the main character and assisting with her lines as needed. The play Words that Hurt focused on people’s differing capabilities and addressed the hurtful impact of teasing and name calling. The women shared with Deb their desire to continue to change the way their neighbors, community, and schools think about individuals with differing capabilities. Deb supported the women to develop a presentation for the classroom. Twice per year, Dr. Spurgin (a professor at Marin Luther College in New Ulm) invites the women and Deb to teach his class of future educators. The ladies have developed a great relationship with Professor Spurgin. He values their ability to tell their stories and share their dreams and how some have become reality. In a thank you note, Dr. Spurgin wrote: “I can see a real positive in the ladies’ presentations. I also appreciate all you say about looking at abilities and not focusing on disabilities.” The experience of becoming teachers has enriched the lives of these young women giving them an added sense of pride and dignity.
Deb also supports the ladies to take part in many other community service projects. For example, they host an annual National Night Out neighborhood party. They make and send invitations, plan the menu, and ensure fun activities for the children. The ladies have become a very valued part of their community in their efforts to make the neighborhood an enjoyable and safe place to live.
Deb is always listening and teaching. She organizes, plans, ensures staff support, and does whatever it takes to see it through. She leads her team with compassion, empowerment, high expectations and vision. Deb knows how to listen beyond the words and she is responsive to what she hears. Laura, Kathy, Lisa, Deb and the entire team work each day to make a world where differences are valued. Peter Senge could have been describing Deb when he said, “To listen fully means to pay close attention to what is being said beneath the words. You listen not only to the ‘music’, but to the essence of the person speaking. You listen not only for what someone knows, but for what he or she is.”
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