Every day, Guild School staff create engaging learning opportunities for students, tailored to their unique interests and needs. With the support of these dedicated team members, students go out into the community for recreation and hands-on learning, participate in adaptive sports, learn critical life skills to build independence, and more.
The Guild celebrated Educator Appreciation Week and National Nurses Week from May 5 – 11. Management coordinated special activities throughout the week, including cookie ice cream sandwiches, catered luncheons, and a minute-to-win-it game competition with prizes!
Each of The Guild School’s 90 students have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) – a personalized learning plan that establishes specific goals and objectives based on an assessment of specific needs. Classroom teachers, teaching assistants, clinical and vocational staff, student services, transition services, and residential services all work together to monitor progress and adjust the IEP to ensure that each student is progressing toward their highest level of achievement.
A few staff members have been selected across departments for a staff spotlight because of their commitment to The Guild School and its students.
Tiffany Kiyemba
Assistant Residential Manager, Mulberry House
What drew you to the human services field?
I have always enjoyed helping people, being able to work with an individual to achieve a goal, and watching them enjoy their achievements.
Do you have a favorite professional memory?
An older gentleman l worked with confided to his sister shortly before passing that he was grateful for everything l had done for him, that it made a difference for him.
What is the best part of your job?
Activities with the students. Baking group, watching them work on goals, and seeing the satisfaction on their faces!
Devon Kraus
Employment Training Specialist
What drew you to the human services field?
Working in the field of human services gives me the opportunity to help students reach their full potential. This leads to having a job that is fulfilling, which is what initially drew me to the field.
Do you have a favorite professional memory?
My favorite memory is when I made a music video with one of my students and I really got to see her creativity shine!
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is when I get to experience the students’ sense of humor – we’re always laughing together.
McDouglas Pewee
Teaching Assistant
What drew you to the human services field?
In high school, I volunteered with kids that had disabilities. From there I fell in love with helping kids achieve their goals. That is not it though, because my niece helped really push me towards the field and learning ways to help her!
Do you have a favorite professional memory?
Being able to go back and see one of my previous students who I spent a lot of time with after he graduated. He was so excited and it really made me feel the difference I had made.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part about my job is knowing that I’m helping the kids accomplish their goals and help them live their life to the fullest.
Nursing staff
Ensuring the health and well-being of individuals supported by The Guild is a collaborative effort. Nurse case managers work with the residential manager, house staff, and families/guardians to ensure each individual receives the support needed to access medical and health care and maintain a healthy lifestyle. They also provide training to all residential staff on each individual’s health-care needs, including seizure protocols, specialized dietary plans and medical treatments, and also monitor the implementation of the individual health-care plan.