Our first Volunteer Spotlight of the Spring 2019 semester is Tess, who is in her fourth semester of volunteering with TOPS! Tess learned about TOPS when a staff member presented in her class. She had done a similar job in high school, so she knew TOPS would be a good fit for her. Tess is studying Human Development and Family Science, and her “goal is to be an occupational therapist helping transition adults with developmental disabilities to live/socialize independently.” TOPS has also had an impact on her future career. “At the beginning of my college career I wanted to work with kids but after working in the TOPS program I realized I really like this age population. That transition and those skills are really interesting to me,” she explained.
Tess serves as an Educational Coach with the TOPS program. When describing building a relationship with a TOPS student, she said, “we become comfortable with each other and the level of comfort allows us to learn together and I can support them better.” She urges people to enter the program with an open mind. Her favorite memory with the TOPS program so far was last semester, when she enjoyed breakfast with a student at Sloopy’s, a diner on campus. “Socializing one on one without the classroom was so much fun.”
Outside of the TOPS program, Tess is involved with Dance Connection as the membership coordinator. “We are a group of 50 that self-choreograph and perform a show each semester. We also do outreach and other performances in the Columbus area,” she explained. If she could only eat one food for the rest of her life, Tess would choose “boxed Kraft shaped Mac and Cheese.”
The TOPS Staff want to thank Tess for going above and beyond when working with students. Keep up the great work, Tess!