By Cindy Adams
When Tyler Rash first walked through the doors at enCircle's Roanoke Minnick School, he was struggling. He was a 7th grader, labeled as a difficult kid. But what he couldn’t have known then was that this transition would teach him one of life’s most valuable lessons: everyone is fighting a battle of some kind. And watching this truth unfold, pointed him toward his future career.
"I knew Tyler was a good kid. He knew that too," said Jessie Neighoff, Tyler’s former assistant teacher at Minnick. "He watched what was going on around him, and that seemed to motivate him to do better."
Tyler's keen observations led him to the realization that everyone has difficulties and challenges. That is just part of human experience. This perspective shift proved transformative.
"It was obvious that we were all dealing with rough stuff at Minnick, so we sort of had this understanding," said Tyler. "That taught me compassion. It helped me understand differences between people. I became more patient. And I became a better listener."
Tyler was at Minnick two short years before he went back to public school, but what he took with him was a commitment to be the kind of person who treated others with dignity. And this was crucial to his future endeavors.
After graduation, Tyler tried different jobs, but it was his volunteer work at Mona’s Ark, where animal care integrates with therapy, that led him toward supporting people with developmental disabilities. He found solace in the animals, but Mona noticed how patient he was with their clients. Through her encouragement, he pursued work in developmental services. Today, Tyler has come full circle, returning to enCircle as a Direct Support Professional in a Roanoke’s Group Home. Once a student, now staff, Tyler brings his unique perspective to supporting others with challenges of their own.
"My time at Minnick shaped me for this work. I would not consider any other career," Tyler said. "My job is to help people, not force people, and to approach them the way I want to be approached. And when you’re doing what you want to do, the hard stuff isn’t so hard."
His experience as a student now informs his role as a caregiver.
"I feel like I’m making a positive difference,: Tyler said. "Just to know I’m doing right by someone feels good. I know while I'm at the house, everyone is being treated well and with respect. And when I go home, I can say, 'that’s what I did today,' and that feels really good."
