AHRC New York City salutes all Direct Support Professionals during National DSP Recognition Week, Sept. 10-16. DSPs are the backbone of AHRC New York City and are dedicated to promoting independence among the people they support.
Ella Neplokh never tires of teaching at AHRC NYC’s Betty Pendler Day Services. With her caring touch, Ella has enhanced the lives of many people she supports.
Rewarding Career Continues Nearly 30 Years Later
“I’ve always been a teacher,” says Ella Neplokh, a Community Support Professional, who will mark her 30th anniversary at AHRC New York City’s Betty Pendler Day Services in October. “But I never imagined I’d be her for 30 years.”
“That’s a long time,” says one person, during one of Ella’s classes.
“That’s a lot,” adds another.
A trained pianist, Ella earned her bachelor’s in music in Belarus, before pursuing a master’s degree in Russian language and literature. She taught music and helped students who needed extra support in an after-school program. Ella came the U.S. in 1990, working at a prestigious music publishing company, but it closed a few years later. She then began pursuing a master’s in education from Brooklyn College.
Nearing 70, Ella never tires of teaching. She continues to enjoy working with the people she supports in a variety of classes she has been teaching remotely since the start of the pandemic. A Sheepshead Bay resident, Ella finds her career at AHRC NYC rewarding and extremely satisfying.
Suzanne Caiazzo Gold, the Associate Director of Day Services who retired in 2018, hired Ella in 1993 to provide classes in reading and music at a time when the field was transitioning away from workshop models. “Today people are reading in our book club, learning money management skills, going over current events, learning about relationships and much more,” Ella says. ‘’It’s very fulfilling when the people we support achieve something.”
“Ella has maintained a motivated and caring approach to the people she has worked with through the years,” says Eamon O’Tuama, Program Director. “She is always very engaged and interested in the people she supports. Ella is always an advocate.”
Recently, people attending Ella’s group enjoyed a virtual tour of Germany and a book club. Some attendees said they enjoy exercise class, arts and crafts, trivia, and pop culture.
Ella knew she always wanted to teach and work with people. “This occupation allows me to make a difference in people’s lives,” she says. “The most rewarding part is helping people develop new skills which will enable them to become more independent and achieve their full potential.”
Ella says she appreciates the trust leadership has had in her ability to use her love of music and language to create new and innovative programs, while planning plan group outings and supporting people at volunteer sites. She especially enjoys forming strong relationships with the people attending the day program, some who have been there for years. “Leaving was never an option,” she says. “I love working here.”
