When you are passionate about your job, everything relates to work. Listening to Christmas songs this year, I find myself feeling like the night wind. Don't laugh, I'm talking about Christmas lyrics: "Said the night wind to the little lamb, 'Do you see what I see?'" That’s the question for Job Developers at MARC Inc. of Manchester. I arrive at an interview alongside an adult living with a disability, asking employers, "Do you see what I see?" Though they may say that they do, I rarely leave interviews feeling like we’re working with the same person.
In the parking lot for Little Scribbles Childcare, Kassandra and I listen to her favorite Disney songs to bolster our confidence before our interview. Music is the key to unlocking Kassandra; during interview preparation, we sang her practice questions/answers like we were in a musical because we found they were more likely to sink in that way. I tell her, "It’s Kassey time! Show them your personality, and remember that I’m with you and I won’t let this go bad." She takes a deep breath and reminds me, "It’s actually ‘The Kassey Show,’ but yes, we got this, Rob."
As a former PreK teacher, I was able to share my “Bag of Tricks” with Kassandra—little games, songs, and activities you can go to whenever you need them—but an interview is a different skill altogether. When someone asks you to list your three weaknesses, you can’t walk over to an imaginary kitchenette and shout, “Who wants brownies!?” then lead a make-believe dessert tasting. (Please note the imaginary brownies in this scenario were peanut and gluten-free, though we admit to using eggs.)
Once we're let inside, we do our best Santa Claus impression and sneak past slumbering angels—as well as the one kid that doesn’t fall asleep until nap time is almost over—all destined for Saint Nick’s Nice List.
The interview is going well. Maybe it's because Kassandra shares their faith—Little Scribbles is a Christian-based organization—or maybe it’s because Jennifer and Nicole, the local shepherds, seem genuinely interested in her. Regardless of the reason, Kassandra isn’t worried about memorized answers from our interview preparation. She’s doing quite well, and everyone is laughing while relaying stories about the universal truths that one trips over when working with children.
A week or so later, we arrive in the same parking lot, and the job is ours to lose. Not only do Nicole and Jennifer see Kassandra like I do, but they also want to see more through a working interview. Kassandra starts a little shy while meeting new coworkers—who wouldn’t be a little shy on their first day? Music begins to play as the kids transition out of nap time, and Kassandra becomes a more outgoing person. She’s dancing, engaging the kids on their level, and encouraging them to get up and start their afternoon. As time goes on, she’s redirecting when it’s appropriate, listening to emotions, keeping a head count, and performing countless other little jobs a teacher does without even thinking.
Make no mistake, Little Scribbles was open to seeing Kassandra as I do, and she did the rest. I am grateful for the environment they maintain, as it allows Kassandra to grow. They seem to embrace not only her two steps forward but also her one step back. Employers, please remember, you only get the next two steps forward if you’re willing to work through the one step back.
If I were giving a speech, this would be the point where I would ask you to close your eyes, but we’re reading, and that’s not practical. Instead, I want you to imagine yourself as a child at Little Scribbles during Kassandra’s first day. You just woke up from nap time, you’re wondering what might be for snack today, and there is Kassandra singing and dancing, welcoming you to a brand new afternoon. Do you see an adult with a disability? What do you see?
