From Hospice to High School: Tiel Jenkins' Inspiring Journey of Service and Community Engagement
- Catherine Huckaby
- Feb 14, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 12, 2024
Some career paths often follow predictable trajectories, but Tiel Jenkins's story stands out as an example of adaptability, compassion, and unwavering commitment to public service. Her journey from hospice worker to community services manager to high school teacher is not just a story of professional transitions, but a testament to the power of following one's heart in service to others.
Through her experiences, we gain valuable insights into the true meaning of community engagement, the importance of relationship-building, and the profound impact one person can have across various sectors of public service.
The Essence of Community Engagement
For Tiel Jenkins, community engagement is more than just a job description or a set of tasks. It's a way of life, a calling that extends beyond oneself. As she puts it:
"To me, community engagement is when I'm serving outside of myself."
This simple yet profound statement encapsulates her approach to her work and life. It's about looking beyond personal needs and desires to see how one can contribute to the greater good of the community.
The Power of Relationships
Throughout her diverse career, one constant has been Tiel's emphasis on building and maintaining relationships. She describes herself as a "natural-born relationship builder" who has "never met a stranger." This innate ability to connect with others has been a cornerstone of her success in various roles.
She emphasizes the importance of relationship-building in community engagement:
"A top skill for people who want to work in community engagement would be building relationships and a strong network. Record what you know about that person, not just what they can do, but where you were when you met them and why you were meeting them. Finding common ground to make that connection and staying in touch is important."
She goes a step further, maintaining these connections over time: "I have hundreds of contacts in my phone with people that I've met throughout the years, and I try to make a point to reach out to them at some point during the year."
This dedication to maintaining relationships isn't just about having a robust network. For her, it's about creating a web of support and resources that can be activated when needed to serve the community better.
Early Roots in Community
Tiel's understanding of community and her passion for engagement didn't start with her professional career. It traces back to her high school years:
"One of my earliest memories of feeling like I was a part of a community was when I was involved with the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program in High School. I was also in the band and drill team in High School, which is a community all by itself!"
These early experiences of belonging and working together towards common goals laid the foundation for her future in community service.
The Hospice Chapter: Dignity in Life's Final Moments
One of the most poignant chapters in Tiel's career was her time working in hospice care. This role allowed her to engage with the community in deeply personal and impactful ways. She shares a particularly moving story:
"When I worked for a hospice, we had a patient who had to move in with her niece. Two social workers contacted me, concerned about the patient's living conditions and wanting help."
What followed was a remarkable example of community engagement in action. Tiel and her team, along with volunteers from a nonprofit called Project 4031, transformed the living space of a hospice patient: "Once we started cleaning and the light could come through the room, we noticed how much love she had for butterflies. Her curtains that had been covered up had little butterfly emblems all over them. She also had an old telephone that had butterflies made into it!"
The impact of this act of service was profound:
"When the patient walked back into her room, her whole countenance changed. You could see the weight lift off her! Her hospice workers were so excited because she was able to live with the dignity that she wanted and with her family when she passed away."
This experience exemplifies her approach to community engagement – seeing a need, rallying resources, and making a tangible difference in someone's life.
Transitioning Roles: From Senior Services to Education
Her career path has been anything but conventional. She has transitioned from hospice care to working with and educating senior adults, and now to teaching high school. Tiel sees these changes as part of a cohesive journey of service:
"Sometimes, people will look at you if you change jobs or entire careers, but I think that's because they don't see all the other options out there. I have an educational background plus so much experience from all the places I've worked. It was because of the different places I worked and what was in my heart to do at that time that I chose to get another degree in an area."
This perspective highlights the interconnectedness of different forms of community service and the transferable skills that can be applied across various sectors.
The Classroom: A New Arena for Community Engagement
In her current role as a high school teacher, Tiel continues to apply the principles of community engagement and relationship-building that have defined her career. She shares a touching anecdote that illustrates the ripple effect of positive interactions: "Sometimes after my students graduate, they will come by the school to tell me how they're doing. I remember one who came by and shared how much he had learned from me, which made me feel good."
This story doesn't end with her. She encouraged the student to visit another teacher, leading to a powerful moment of affirmation for that educator:
"She hadn't been teaching ASL very long, and that day happened to be having a moment where she thought, 'What am I here for?' When he stopped by to see her, he told her he was so glad he had taken her class. Because of her, he could use sign language and interpret for a couple on the side of the road who needed help."
This experience underscores the interconnected nature of community and the far-reaching impact of positive interactions.
Lessons from a Diverse Career in Public Service
Through her varied experiences, Tiel has gained valuable insights that can benefit anyone interested in pursuing a career in community engagement and public service:
The Importance of Personal Connections
Tiel emphasizes that effective community engagement is rooted in genuine relationships: "I don't care how many books you read or how much training you attend. At the end of the day, if you do not build a personal relationship with someone, they may respond to you when you need something, but they may not!"
Adaptability and Lifelong Learning
Her career transitions demonstrate the value of being open to new opportunities and continuous learning: "I do not feel like I would have been as good of a teacher when I was younger. I took a different route to get here, but I'm super excited about where I am in this season of my life."
The Power of Collaboration
Many of Tiel's most impactful moments came through collaboration with others, highlighting the importance of teamwork in community service.
Recognizing the Value of Every Interaction
Her stories show how seemingly small interactions can have profound impacts, reminding us to approach every engagement with care and attention.
The Importance of Letting Go
Tiel shares a valuable lesson about not holding too tightly to one's ideas: "There was a time while working in communities and community services when I tried to hold on to the dreams and visions I had because I didn't want anyone else to do it. I wanted to be the one to do it. I had to learn that I couldn't do that anymore. I had to be willing to share and put it out there for someone else to do it."
The Renewed Importance of Community Engagement
In reflecting on recent global events, she offers an insightful perspective on the renewed appreciation for community engagement:
"When COVID happened, and everyone had to be by themselves, I think some people didn't realize how much they missed the interaction with people on a day-to-day basis because they took it for granted. You didn't even know it because it was just a part of your everyday life. I think now people are starting to understand that we all need each other and that we aren't that different."
This observation highlights the essential role of community engagement in our lives and the growing recognition of its importance in the wake of global challenges.
The Ripple Effect of Service
Tiel Jenkins' journey through various roles in public service demonstrates the profound impact one person can have when dedicated to serving others. Her experiences remind us that community engagement is about building relationships and making a difference in people's lives, one interaction at a time.
As Tiel notes: "People don't give to organizations; they give to people, whether that's their time, talent, or treasure."
This insight highlights the essence of effective community engagement – connecting with people on a human level and working together to create positive change.
Tiel's story inspires us to find our unique path in public service, to approach each interaction with care, and to recognize that we all have the potential to create ripples of positive change that extend far beyond ourselves.
Additional Information
Want to know more about Project 4031 and how they assist terminally ill children and adults? Visit their site HERE.
