From the first time Rachel Tait walked into Eden, she knew it was where she wanted to be. “The overall culture of Eden was a place that really provided support for not just the kids we were working with, but for their families and siblings. It just reinforced that this place was making an impact, and I wanted to be part of that,” said Rachel.
Rachel has been making a positive impact at Eden for 25 years. She joined Eden as a TA (Teaching Assistant) in 2000, working in what was then called the pre-vocational classroom. She worked as a Lead Teacher and the Director of Education, among other roles, before becoming the Chief Program Officer in 2016.
“I never imagined when I started in 2000 that this is where I would be in 2025, but it has been an amazing journey, one that I’m very glad and grateful to be part of,” said Rachel. “I think Eden has shaped who I’ve become. I’ve grown up here.”
Rachel has watched Eden grow from a school with fewer than 50 students and a handful of group homes to an organization supporting over 250 autistic individuals throughout their lifespan. “It’s been amazing to see the impact we have across the lifespan of services,” she said. “We’ve been able to continue to fine-tune what we do in order to support the population we work with and ensure we meet their needs.”
While Eden has grown, a few things have remained the same. Everyone works together to ensure they are doing all they can to support the participants. “In this field, collaboration is key. There is nothing we do at Eden that just one of us can do alone,” she said. “We have to be able to work together and depend on each other. Collaboration must be at the forefront of everything we’re doing.”
When it comes to teamwork, Rachel leads by example. She is always willing to jump in and help out with the students or participants when needed. Rachel is also constantly learning about the newest initiatives in the field; regularly attending conferences and sitting on the Board of New Jersey Association of Special Education Partner Schools (formally ASAH) and the National Association of Special Education Centers (NAPSEC), along with being a Commissioner for the National Commission for the Accreditation of Special Education Services (NCASES). In 2020, she earned her Doctor of Education.
While much has changed during Rachel’s career, the core of Eden’s mission that Rachel fell in love with 25 years ago remains the same. “Eden always puts the children and adults we support first,” she said. “The participants and their families continue to be our main focus to this day.”
Many of the children whom Rachel first worked with in the classroom are now in the Adult Services program. Watching their growth has been one of the best parts of Rachel’s job. “I am beyond lucky to be able to see the students who first came into the school as young children have now grown up, leading really fulfilling lives,” she said.
The most rewarding part of Rachel’s career has been seeing the students and adults Eden supports make progress. “Being able to brush their teeth, work in a group setting, being able to go out and secure employment, interacting in the community — any of these little things we may take for granted, our kids and adults have to work very hard on,” she said. “It’s so rewarding to see those small gains eventually lead to something much greater for them and their families.”