“I can’t believe it has been 45 years, to be very truthful. I think, where has the time gone?” Beverly Tuthill stated while reflecting on her time working at The Arc of Delaware County.
Beverly Tuthill, who goes by Miss Honey-Bee, a nickname her grandmother gave her, was recognized for 45 years of working with The Arc of Delaware County this year.
Her journey with Delarc began during her summer breaks from college. Miss Honey-Bee attended Nyack for her undergrad majoring in Elementary Education. During her summer break, she applied at Delarc and was hired to work in the adult program workshop that was previously located at Miller Avenue. The following summer she was hired as a social worker to do home visits and help assist families.
After Miss Honey-Bee graduated, she wanted to find a teaching position using her newly earned degree. However, at the time, job openings were scarce. Luckily for Delarc, Miss Honey-Bee decided to apply and was hired full-time as what was then called an Instructor in Delarc’s only day program.
After a year working as an instructor, Honey-Bee was promoted to the CLS coordinator where she would oversee other Instructors.
After a year as the CLS Coordinator, a new position opened in the Early Intervention Center, which is now referred to as Carousel Children’s Services. She was asked if she would like to take on the role as the teacher. She was hesitant due to not having a special education degree and because she felt a special bond with the adults. However, this sparked a desire for her to return to college to obtain her master’s in special education. With her master’s degree, Miss Honey-Bee accepted the position as a teacher in the Early Intervention Center. She was then promoted again to the Coordinator of the Early Intervention Center. As she was working within that position, Miss Honey-Bee went back to school again, this time obtaining a degree in Administration for public school. This allowed her to be promoted to the Director position at the Early Intervention Center.
Fully Integrated
After several location changes, Carousel is now integrated with DC4, in Delhi, New York. In each classroom DC4 has around eight students working alongside CCS’s eight students. Honey-Bee shared that fully integrated classrooms provide benefits for the students. Students with an intellectual and/or developmental disability have the opportunity to learn from their fellow peers. Students without an intellectual and developmental disability become more empathic towards students with IDD. Teachers from DC4 and CCS work closely together on creating lesson plans allowing everyone to be on the same page.
Miss Honey-Bee has witnessed the growth not just in the students, but with Carousel as a whole. She worked with Delarc and CCS in many different atmospheres and job titles. It is her passion for working with children that has helped her stay focused on the mission and helped shape Carousel Children’s Services to where it is today.
CCS Impact
Roughly 15 years ago Miss Honey-Bee worked closely with an individual and his family. Both the family and staff put Delarc’s “shift happens” approach in action daily working with this individual. Both staff and the family worked together communicating effectively to ensure they were shifting their approaches as needed, to best suit each situation. Both the family, Miss Honey-Bee and staff dedicated their time and efforts to help this little boy grow.
Fast forward, this individual is now thriving! He went off to college, obtained a degree in computer technologies, got married and has a little girl of his own. This gentleman and his family have stayed in touch with Miss Honey-Bee throughout the years. His parents contribute his phenomenal growth to the early intervention he received while at Carousel Children’s Services. They believe it was the unconditional love, support, dedication and using the shift happens approach with him that has helped to shape him into the successful young adult he is today. Now, 15 years later, CCS has the privilege of working with that individual’s niece.
Words from Miss Honey-Bee
“After 45 years, I am still so passionate about working with these little children at Carousel Children’s Services. It warms my heart when these children grow and make wonderful progress. It brings me joy when I think about the impact that Carousel has on so many children and their families. The relationships that I have built with families and staff will last forever. Seeing the growth in the children makes me feel proud of the work that has been accomplished through CCS. Some of my favorite memories are seeing children sing at circle time, watching them play in the snow on the playground, and sitting on my lap and giving me a big hug.
Helping families with their children, making a difference in their lives. It’s not just a job, it’s a calling. We have such a great team. Most of our staff know Shift Happens and put it to work. They are passionate about the CCS children and their families. I love my job. One of my dreams is that the legacy of Carousel Children’s Services will last forever to continue to help families and children who need services that Carousel provides.” Stated Miss Honey-Bee after reflecting on her 45 years spent at Delarc.
Words from the Carousel Children’s Services team
Collectively, the Carousel Children’s Services team shared
“As a Director, Honey-Bee goes above and beyond. She is patient, kind, and caring. She guides a dozen staff, winding gracefully through a myriad of personalities. She is an orchestra conductor making beautiful music. She’s a soccer coach, a best friend, a cheerleader, and a “mother”. Our program’s foundation IS Honey-Bee and we are the buildings all connected, serving a purpose and standing tall and proud. Parents love her, kids love her, and her staff love and adore her. Thank you for always being there for us and believing in us! “
Delarc is grateful for the 45+ years that Miss Honey-Bee has dedicated to Delarc and the countless children and families she has served over that time.
If you or someone you know is interested in a fulfilling career in human services, please click the link below to view the current open positions and apply today.
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