GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) — In a classroom built on patience, possibility and progress, Ms. Robin Tabadisto is helping scholars see just how far they can go.
A Moderately Cognitively Impaired (MoCI) teacher at Riverside Middle School at Innovation Central, Tabadisto works with scholars in grades 6-8, focusing not only on academics but also on the life and social skills that help them thrive beyond the classroom.
“I get to be a part of their learning; witnessing their triumphs and also finding ways to support them during their challenges,” she explained. “It is wonderful to look back at the end of each year and see how far they have come.”
Her path to GRPS began with a leap of faith. Moving to Michigan without ever visiting, she was drawn to GRPS because of its similarities to her previous district, the San Diego Unified School District.
“My family and I moved to Grand Rapids sight unseen,” she explained. “GRPS made sense for me to be a part of since it is very similar to my previous school district. I have been very lucky in this leap, because my colleagues and the families I serve have been amazing and supportive partners.”
In her role, Tabadisto is intentional about helping scholars build independence and confidence.
“I hope my impact is to support each student in such a way that their worlds become bigger. It is vital for my students to develop not just their academic skills, but their independent living and social skills as well. Without growth in all three areas, their abilities to have choice and voice in their own lives becomes smaller. At the end of each day, I hope that whatever lessons are taught and whatever has happened, each student's world grew a little bit bigger.”
