Meet Angela Golden

Angela Golden is the Curriculum Manager/Quality Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) at the Center of Hope. She’s been with the Center for 10 ½ years. We asked Angela to share some of her thoughts about the time she has been at the Center.

Please describe your role at the Center.

To oversee my assigned classrooms and ensure that participants have the opportunity to choose and participate in the activities that they enjoy. Also, to write and implement Implementation Strategies to meet the needs and desires of the participants. To ensure that the participants are safe and have the opportunity to learn new skills and maintain current skills. Last but not least, to provide support to the participants we serve as well as staff.

 Why did you choose this field?

It just happened, before working in this field, right out of college I worked in early childhood as a preschool teacher and a director. Then I thought that I was meant to teach older children so I applied for a position as a long-term substitute teacher in District 205. After working as a Biology/Health teacher in District 205 for one year, I returned to teaching early childhood at Easter Seals CDC thinking this is what I was meant to do. However, my son at that time was three years old and I found my myself teaching the same things and singing the same songs during the day and also while at home. Then I decided to do something different but still with the component of education and in the field of Human Services. I then applied for a job at Milestone, Inc. as a QIDP and that is how my love for this population began and how my career in this field started.

What advice would you give someone who is interested in working at the Center?

If you have a heart for people, and have a desire for them to live their best quality of life and have the opportunity to learn new skills and the choice to participate in activities they enjoy you should give Barbara Olson a try but be prepared that every day will not be easy.  However, the participant will shower you with so much love and appreciation and just to see the joy on their faces will be well worth it.

What is the biggest change you’ve seen over the years?

I think the biggest change has been in the last couple years. COVID has forced us to adapt to so many things that have been out of our control. Although, we have had some negative changes from COVID and the world around us, there have also been a lot of positives to come from it such as the participants having more choices and opportunities as well as better insight on what it means to make the best out of every situation, and make sure to take time to see the beauty around you.

What keeps you at the Center? 

I love why the Center was founded. I love the reason we still exist. I love why the staff is dedicated. So, what mostly keeps me at the Center is the participants.

Anything else you’d like us to know?

We are always learning and growing and I have learned the best and most important part of that process is helping others.