FROM RICH COUCH
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES
MONTGOMERY – Prattville resident Anna Taylor was one 24 Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services staffers to complete the 10th Leadership Training Institute (LTI).
A normal LTI training session would include four installments in less than a year, but because of COVID, this group fought through a two-year journey.
Neal Kelley, Director, AUM Office of Continuing Education & Community Engagement, led the team through all four sessions and was excited about the enthusiasm they maintained. “I cannot be more impressed with these individuals,” he said.
ADRS Commissioner Jane Elizabeth Burdeshaw said the relationships they built throughout the program gives this group an opportunity to work together to push the ADRS mission forward.
“I told you from the very beginning you were going to build lifelong friendships in this group,” she said. “I hope that you have. I hope that you will work to maintain those friendships because you learned about other divisions. You learned more about each other, and you learned more about your organization.”
Burdeshaw said each member was selected because they have already displayed the characteristics of a leader, and now they have the training and knowledge to take those skills to the next level.
“You all are already leaders, or you would not be sitting here,” she said. “You’re leaders right now where you are, but I hope all that we have invested in you will help you put on that new set of glasses when you go back you your local offices and lead at a new level.”
The opportunity to learn more about other programs within ADRS allows the LTI graduates to take their leadership outside the walls of ADRS offices, Burdeshaw said.
“You can actually go out and talk about the department as a whole,” she said. “That will make you stronger as you move up the chain as well.”
Burdeshaw asked the group to seize opportunities when they are presented, stay ready, and when the door opens, step through it. It’s common to have a certain amount of fear when it comes to stepping into leadership roles, but Burdeshaw said she is confident each member of the class is more than capable.
To learn more about ADRS, visit www.rehab.alabama.gov.
The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services is the state agency serving Alabama’s children and adults with disabilities.
