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An Employee to Celebrate
ACDS Teacher Assistant Honored for 30 Years of Service with a Smile

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, March 26, 2015 Anyone who enters Pam Wises classroom
at ACDS can expect a warm greeting from Wises Teacher Assistant, Jeanne McHale. Im here,
she cheerfully announces, with a big grin that can light up any room.
Jeanne has been here at ACDS for more than 30 years. Along with her two sisters, who also
have Down syndrome, Jeanne has attended ACDS since preschool. After completing high school,
Jeanne returned to ACDS to work at the preschool.
As a Teacher Assistant, Jeanne assists with arts and crafts projects, photocopy tasks, snack time
drinks, and cleanup chores Shes an instrumental part of free play, sorting through toys and
placing them into appropriate bins to keep things neat and organized.
Jeanne takes ownership of various jobs within the classroom and performs them diligently and
with pride, Wise says.
Jeannes exemplary work ethic (and 30-year tenure as an employee) earned her a recognition
award, which was presented to her during ACDS 2015 St. Patricks Celebration on March 7. No
one could be prouder than her parents, Jim and Sheila McHale, both honorees themselves, for 45
years of advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities. Jim has been an ACDS Board
member for nearly a decade.
Agency staff agrees that the honor Jeanne received is very well-deserved. I have known Jeanne
for 30 years and have always been impressed with her engaging personality, sense of humor, and
desire to fully participate in all aspects of our school, including major activities and fundraising
events scheduled outside of school hours, remarks Cecilia Barry, Principal of ACDS Preschool.
And if theres an ACDS sponsored dance, you can bet youll find Jeanne leading her partner on
the dance floor, especially if Elvis Presley or Kenny Rogers are part of the soundtrack!
But its Jeannes deep dedication to her students - or her kids, which she affectionately calls
them - where her work really shines through. Jeanne shares her care, time, and love with our
children, Wise says. She talks to them, she plays with them, and she cares so much when they
are not feeling well. Her hugs are wonderful.
When one student shut down and refused to perform his scheduled tasks, Jeanne got him to
laugh and smile, and ultimately, complete a puzzle, which he did quickly and willingly. Soon the
child was working with his teachers again, inspired by Jeanne, like so many at ACDS are.

Jeanne is an integral part of our school, the soul of our mission, and she arrives each day ready
to work with the children, socialize with her friends, and take charge of her assigned duties,
Barry says. She is a productive school employee, embraces her responsibilities, looks to have
fun with family and friends, and is living life to its fullest. Certainly an attitude we should all
emulate!
ABOUT ACDS
ACDS, located in Plainview, NY is dedicated to providing lifetime resources of exceptional
quality, innovation and inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome, autism and other
developmental disabilities and their families. ACDS has been providing programs and services in
and around Long Island since 1966. ACDS currently serves over 1000 children and adults,
providing services that include Early Intervention and preschool special education programs,
respite and recreation programs for children, teens and adults, adult Medicaid service
coordination and eight supervised group homes in Nassau County. For more information, please
visit acds.org or call 516-933-4700.
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