Employees of the Month
Jennifer Gregor
Human Resources Assistant
Administration - Smithtown
If you have ever come to DDI’s Hollywood Drive Campus and stopped at the front reception desk, you've most likely spoken to Jennifer Gregor.
In her role as Human Resources Assistant, Jennifer works at the front desk answering phones, greeting guests and parents and tending to the needs of employees, whether in person or on the phone. Jennifer manages to make working at the front desk, distractions and all, look easy! Jennifer always maintains a positive, calm attitude and is a real team player!
During the peak of the pandemic, Jennifer was at DDI’s Hollywood Drive building every day to assist coworkers who were working remotely and in program - relaying messages, opening mail, filling PPE orders, copying and scanning documents, etc. We were all successful because of her efforts!
Jennifer is a dedicated employee who is quick to offer to help out and assume additional tasks. Recently, during the absence of one of the HR department team members, Jennifer took on processing tuition reimbursement and ID badges and didn't miss a beat! Jennifer has a strong work ethic and likes to keep busy. She even has an almost perfect attendance record, which is a testament to her dedication to DDI.
Mary Newman
Education Behavior Specialist
Early Childhood Services – Ronkonkoma
Always going above and beyond for the good of the students and staff, Mary Newman is a compassionate, skilled supervisor. She will often study the strengths and weaknesses of each student and make sure the teachers have what they need to be successful in helping each one of them.
It is important to Mary that her staff are happy, respected, valued and heard. She knows that will trickle down to happy and successful students, which results in a successful DDI. She will often treat staff to raffles or breakfast if there is a challenging week or simply stop into the classrooms to make sure everyone has what they need and treat staff to her wonderful sense of humor to make them smile.
Mary, by example, gives her staff the passion to live and work by DDI’s core values. She is truly invaluable to DDI and her team.
Dawn Herbst
Teacher Assistant
Early Childhood Services / Medford Campus
Dawn demonstrates the utmost integrity, dignity and compassion every day with both staff and students. She uses her own personal experiences with children with autism and shares this knowledge effectively with staff. Dawn helps to foster a creative learning environment for her students and helps team members grow as individuals and as teachers. She even set up a photo booth and arranged a pizza party at her family’s pizza parlor for staff.
Dawn’s heart is always in her work, and she brings her best self to every interaction. DDI is proud to recognize her for all of her talents!
Michelle Reser-Kalb
Children’s Day Program – Huntington
Behavior Specialist
Michelle Reser-Kalb is an excellent Behavior Specialist who cares deeply for each one of her students. She makes sure that they receive the best education possible and goes the extra mile for families to ensure their needs are met to the best of her ability.
Michelle is the ultimate team player and does anything asked of her with a smile and great tenacity. She always has a kind word and can make a seemingly impossible situation manageable.
Michelle is the backbone of the Children’s Day Program in Huntington. She does so much and her unending support for students and staff cannot be overstated.
Congratulations, Michelle. We are so grateful for all that you do each and every day.
Karen DeLaura
Speech Therapist
Children’s Day Program – Smithtown
Karen is an exemplary employee and has been an amazing speech provider for many years. Not only is she a skilled professional in providing speech therapy but she also goes above and beyond her role each day. She works well with every student and works as a true team player with all members of her students’ teams. Karen serves as an outstanding role model and trainer for new speech providers and is the first person to assist in any emergency situation.
She always maintains a positive and upbeat attitude and keeps her department up to date, while building seamless transitions among other departments.
Karen’s dedication to the Children’s Day Program staff and students is unmatched, and her hard work is greatly appreciated.
Kerry O'Donnell
Direct Support Professional
Children's Residential Program
Kerry is an amazing Direct Support Professional, who takes great pride in her work. She provides care and instruction for not only her own residence but also the other residences when, and if, the need arises. She is friendly and professional and has recently finished her Master’s degree in clinical psychology.
Kerry is quick to help anyone in need of assistance, especially during the pandemic, and is well-respected by her colleagues and supervisors. When faced with challenges, Kerry remains calm and stays positive. She has a heart of gold and is a fierce advocate for the children she supports.
One of the children will even request her by name, saying, “I want O’Donnell as counselor.”
Congratulations, Kerry. We thank you for your outstanding commitment and wish you much-continued success.
Congratulations! We applaud your commitment to the people supported by DDI and your fellow team members.
