Jennifer Robinson, M.Ed., CRC
Unit Supervisor
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
“It is an honor and privilege to write this recommendation for Mrs. Mary Helen Little. I have known Mary Helen professionally for several years while our agencies partnered to assist individuals in going to work. Her dedication to her work allowed my agency the opportunity to place individuals with disabilities in employment throughout the area we serve. As our professional relationship grew, a personal friendship grew as well. It was there that I began to recognize that Mary Helen's dedication didn't stop with her job, she has a passion to pour into others daily to help make them successful. It is a lifestyle for her.
With new legislation for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Vocational Rehabilitation Services was charged with a new focus of providing Pre-employment Transition Services to all high school students with disabilities. As I began to locate providers and resources in the area, I was looking for the best of the best for our high school students and Mary Helen came to mind.
Mary Helen met with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and discussed their needs within their schools, and immediately she went to work developing exactly what they asked for. Her schedule began to fill quickly. After she taught the first series of "Developing Skills for Success," we needed her to develop a second series to continue the progression with the students for a second year.
Again, she worked diligently to put together a second series that included the skills our students need to be successful in the workforce. We are wrapping up our second year in the schools, and she has been phenomenal. The feedback from the students and teachers has been nothing but complimentary. She can connect with the students and convey the importance of "Doing the Right Thing" and always "going the extra mile." Our students have requested Mary Helen to work with them individually to help them polish up their skills, and many have reported that they have been hired because of what they learned in her classes. She understands the impact of working and fulfilling a responsibility and the positive impact on a person. She truly wants everyone to reach their goals and succeed in their endeavors.
I sincerely believe Mary Helen Little does an excellent job with the classes she has developed, but also with the "extra" time she has poured into students and other individuals with disabilities. She is dedicated 100% each and every day. She is open to new ideas and new strategies and is selfless in fulfilling the needs of others.”
Mary Jackson
Resource Teacher at Northview High School
“It is with much enthusiasm that I am writing this personal recommendation for Mrs. Mary Helen Little. Mrs. Little has been working with the special education students at Northview High School the past 3 months teaching the curriculum, “Developing Skills for Success.” She was hired to serve our students through the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Mrs. Little worked in the private business sector for many years, conducting interviews and hiring people for an array of jobs and companies. She is more than qualified to teach high school students the critical skills needed for acquiring and maintaining a successful job or career.
Having been an educator for 38 years, I’ve never experienced anyone any better at what they do than I have with Mrs. Little. I have been very impressed with her knowledge of content, her positive personality, the way she relates to (and very much connects with) high school students, and most importantly, the passion she exudes!! She is one-hundred percent committed to helping young people develop skills needed for success. In my opinion, every student that has experienced a class with her, definitely has a tremendous advantage in learning to build their brand in relation to becoming a productive member of society and as a human being. I wish every student had the opportunity to participate in her class. She is simply awesome at what she does!!
I highly recommend Mary Helen Little, confident that she will bring the same drive and dedication to your organization that she has certainly brought to the students at our school.”
Diana McCraney
G. W. Long High School
“I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Mrs. Mary Helen Little for over a year. Mrs. Little was hired through Alabama Vocational Rehabilitation to teach transition and vocational skills in select Wiregrass public schools. She is positive, pleasant, and outgoing which makes all of her classes fun and interesting. Mrs. Little’s love and determination made students feel comfortable and open to her instruction. She adapts her classroom to students with a wide range of disabilities. This enabled the students to excel in a variety of tasks. Her class emphasizes life skills, such as the importance of first impressions, effective communication, conflict management, resume development, and interview skills. As a result of Mrs. Little, my students have successfully interviewed and obtained jobs. Mrs. Little’s philosophy is to “go the extra mile” and always do more than asked. She prepares the students to excel in the classroom and in life. Mrs. Little will be a great asset to any school. She has a passion to help others, and I highly recommend her for this position. If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact me at the above address or number.”
