Aberdeen Village
AUGUST 2019
Creating life
Art teacher’s students learn to appreciate art—and each other
Ida Baldeh, LPN
An environment of support Aberdeen Village is committed to helping employees achieve their educational goals for the betterment of themselves and the community. PMMA’s Employee Education Assistance program gives staff members the chance to reach higher levels of education.
Ed Duman, Cheryl Reynolds and Shirley Dixon enjoy Carol Rondinelli’s classes.
Over the past seven years, students in Carol Rondinelli’s art class at Aberdeen Village have gained much more than painting and drawing skills. Through creating and competing together, they have gotten to know and respect each other, built strong friendships and discovered that they’re all artists at heart. It all started with Carol contacting Aberdeen Village in 2012 to ask for a job. She had spent nearly four decades honing her art skills and studying under accomplished artists, but besides doing some volunteer teaching, she had never pursued a paid position as an art instructor. One day, she got up the nerve and asked. “I’ve studied art for 40 years,” Carol said, “and always thought it would be fun to teach but didn’t pursue it. I decided to try to turn it into my job. I spoke to Aberdeen, and they hired me on the spot. I give God credit for that opportunity!” At the time, Carol knew what a life-enhancing activity the class would be for her students. She didn’t know how much it would enhance her life as well. Through the years, Carol said the class has focused on studying the “old -Life, continued on page 2
Staff members who meet requirements can have expenses for books, tuition and fees reimbursed. It’s a lifesaver for many employees who otherwise might not be able to afford going back to school. “I don’t know who started it, but I want to thank them for it,” said Ida Baldeh, an LPN at Aberdeen Village who is working to become an RN. “It gets tough sometimes. It’s not easy to be going to school and working, and you have bills to pay as well.” Ida is just one employee who has taken advantage of the education assistance program. Through the program, she was able to complete prerequisites to -Support, continued on page 2
Aberdeen Village | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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