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Category: Staff Spotlight

Chief Program Officer Dr. Rachel Tait Has Been Making a Positive Impact at Eden for 25 Years

Rachel smiles with a student

Rachel Tait has been making a positive impact at Eden for 25 years.

Staff Spotlight: Special Programs Manager Quintin Robin

Quintin Robin worked in several different roles throughout his time at Eden, but he always kept coming back to the camp.

Quintin Robin worked in several different roles throughout his time at Eden, but he always kept coming back to the camp.

Staff Spotlight: Lead Speech Therapist Abby Tappert

Abby Tappert smiles with a student

Abby Tappert believes you’re never too old to improve your communication skills. As Lead Speech Therapist, she sees autistic children and adults use a variety of methods to communicate.   

Staff Spotlight: Teaching Assistant Giselle Lobo

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Teaching Assistant Giselle Lobo has a long history of working with autistic students.

Senior Billing Specialist Pat O’Brien Gives Back to Eden with Hightstown Elks Lodge #1955

Pat at the Eden Autism 5K with friends

When Patricia O’Brien learned that Eden Autism’s finance department was hiring, she immediately knew she wanted the role.   “I have several family members who are on the spectrum,” said Pat. “My parents are deaf, and […]

Staff Spotlight: Job Coach Beth KopKash

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Beth KopKash has been teaching for over 25 years, and the camaraderie she found at the Eden School is second to none.   

Eden Autism Teacher Ken Dorfman Creates a Lasting Legacy

Ken Updated

For Ken Dorfman, being a teacher at Eden Autism is more than just a job — it’s his passion. Dorfman joined Eden in 1981, and he has been an integral […]

Staff Spotlight: Director of Residential Services Edyta Zak-Burns

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When Edyta Zak-Burns reflects on her career, her favorite time was spent working in the group homes.

Staff Spotlight: Head Teacher Rachel Stanley

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The most rewarding part of Rachel Stanley’s job is the little moments — a student completing self-care or life skills independently.

Staff Spotlight: Director of Speech & Language Services Christine DeHart  

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Christine DeHart joined Eden in 2000, working at Wawa House before working her way up to become Director of Speech & Language Services.

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Improving the lives of people with autism — one individual at a time, one family at a time, one community at a time.

The most rewarding part of Rachel Stanley’s job is The most rewarding part of Rachel Stanley’s job is the little moments — a student completing self-care or life skills independently.

“Those simple, tiny little achievements that would mean nothing to so many people, but it means so much to our kids,” she said. 

As a Head Teacher at the Eden School, she sees firsthand how everyone at Eden comes together to support the students to help them through challenges and celebrate their successes.

“From a teaching standpoint, it’s encouraging to know that in areas where I have less education, there are other professionals here that I can go to for help,” she said. “Areas like clinical, speech, and medical. Everyone is here in the building and wants to help.”
When Prakhar arrives at Eden’s Bendas Day Center, When Prakhar arrives at Eden’s Bendas Day Center, he’s smiling ear to ear as staff members welcome him into the building. For his mom, Richa, seeing him happy at Eden means the world. 

“It’s the biggest satisfaction and peace of mind I can have as a parent,” said Richa. 

Prakhar loves attention, and staff are happy to provide it. He loves chatting with staff about what he does at home and his favorite foods. 

For the Bendas Center staff, seeing Prakhar happy at Eden is their ultimate goal. “That’s what we want. That’s why we work here, to make all the guys as happy as possible,” said Kelly. “It shows we’re doing our jobs and giving them the services they need.”
When Alan and Brona moved to the United States in When Alan and Brona moved to the United States in 2016, their top priority was finding a spot for their son Gus. Gathered around their kitchen table in Dublin, they called Rachel Tait, Eden’s Chief Program Officer, who invited them in for a tour of the Eden School. 

“We were blown away,” said Brona. “The families, the people, the services — it made the transition to the US so much easier knowing there was a place for us.” 

Since joining Eden, Gus’s independence has skyrocketed. Making himself food, getting dressed, doing things around the house — Gus has learned many daily living skills and enjoys completing them. 

Everyday things like these may be taken for granted by most people, but for Gus and his family, they are moments worthy of celebration. 

“We have a very different perspective on joy. These little simple things can mean an awful lot to us,” said Alan.
When Nitin moved into an Eden residence, he showed When Nitin moved into an Eden residence, he showed everyone he was capable of far more than anyone expected. 

Behavior Analyst Clare Posey fondly remembers the first time he sat down at the dinner table and had a meal with his housemates. “It wasn’t the norm for him to sit and have dinner in a room full of seven guys,” she said. “It’s those little things that are so huge.” 

Since moving into Lombardi House, Nitin has started to do things with his housemates both at home and in the community, and they have even gone on trips together. “They went to Atlantic City a couple of times, and he had the time of his life,” said Clare. “Not only was he able to do it, but it was done safely, and he loved it. He has blown away everyone’s expectations.” 

“Eden is a very special place,” said Nitin’s mom, Radha. “Words cannot describe the gratitude that I have for the quality of life that they’ve given to our family.”
Abby Tappert believes you’re never too old to impr Abby Tappert believes you’re never too old to improve your communication skills. As Lead Speech Therapist, she sees autistic children and adults use a variety of methods to communicate. 

There are several methods of communication Abby uses to help her students — an iPad, a Picture Exchange Communication System [PECS], and visual support. Everything Abby does is individualized to help students spontaneously communicate their wants and needs. And the feeling of seeing someone spontaneously communicate never gets old. 

“I’ll walk into a classroom as the students are working on their other programs, and I’ll hear them use a phrase we talked about in speech. If I taught them to request something and then I hear them use that in the classroom spontaneously, that’s the most rewarding thing,” said Abby. “That’s the whole point of our programs.”
We wish you and your family a Happy New Year! We wish you and your family a Happy New Year!
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