The COMPASS Corner blog is an opportunity for COMPASS staff to share their knowledge and experience about a variety of topics in the special education and human services fields. Posts will be about an area staff are an expert in, what motivates them to do this work, a success story from a student/client, etc.
Jaye’s journey at COMPASS began as a job that he saw as temporary; however, the connections that he made with the students almost made it feel as though they became his own. He wants to see them succeed and do well and doesn’t want to leave until this happens.
Attachment theory is just one way in which I get to explore such a relationship with those clients that I interact with. What does a “secure” relationship really look like? How do we achieve such a thing? And what does all this really mean for me? The beauty is that I don’t really know. It’s not for me to tell others what to know. It’s for them to find out, and me to listen. That’s just what COMPASS does. Finds out what it means to be you, not us telling you how to do it.
As an organization that serves individuals with different types of disabilities, it is important to be aware of the laws that govern what we do here at COMPASS. The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) is a law that ensures a free and appropriate education (FAPE) to children with disabilities throughout the country, ensuring special education and related services to those children. The IDEA impacts more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.
As I chatted with the woman at the desk, someone spoke up from the office bench behind me. “If you can get a job at COMPASS, go there,” the woman said. “That school saved my son’s life!” I’m sure she had no idea that her words would lead me on a 23-year journey to a fulfilling and exciting career as a teacher, and now Principal, at COMPASS.
Since graduating college almost 10 years ago, I, like most of my millennial friends, have been trying to figure out what I have to offer the world. Figuring out new ways to positively impact the communities where I reside and also to aid those organizations that are already established there to do just that has always fascinated me.
As of April 1, COMPASS started a new chapter – installing Laura Lajewski as the Executive Director after John Lydon retired. Recently, Gregg Grenier, Development and Communications Manager, got a chance to ask Laura some questions to help COMPASS’ family get to know her even better.
COMPASS Family Specialist Danilson Santos and Clinician Sandrine Cardoso work together to help unite families and put at-risk youth on a better path. The team splits the work by their specialties – Danilson focuses on the youth while Sandrine works with the parent(s). One of their most memorable success stories, according to Danilson, involved a teenage boy who completely turned his life around by working with COMPASS’ Community Services program.
When I was in college working towards my undergraduate degree, something drew me towards social work. I knew I wanted to help people and use my own experiences to relate to others. Giving back to the community has been at the forefront of my mind for as long as I can remember, and that passion drew me to COMPASS.
COMPASS staff value highlighting students’ positive experiences at the School, and one student’s progress stands out as exemplary. When Sam first started attending the School, they refused to engage in academic and clinical work, had trouble trusting adults, and consistently used profane language.