Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Howard.
Hi Jacqueline, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am the founder and director of Ms. Gussie’s Place. Ms. Gussie’s Place is a center for Children with Multiple Disabilities (Different Abilities) Our mission at Ms. Gussi’e Place is to Stimulate, Motivate and Educate children with severe to profound multiple disabilities (Different abilities). I got my official start about 19 years ago, I was filling in for a friend who was called to teach a music class, however, she never told me that I was going to be teaching music to blind students. After seeing the class, I discovered that some kids also had other disabilities, like cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries and other diagnoses. The classes were very small, as a matter of fact, the most significant class was with a little fellow name Zain, he was about three years old, with Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities. He was so weak, he had to be placed inside of some plastic rings because he could not hold his little body up.
Nevertheless, when I saw him, I knew just what to do, (Now I know that it was God). To make a long story shorter, I wanted Zane to tap the drum for the Old Macdonald had a band song. We worked on this on and off for about 30 minutes. At the end of our session, I wanted Zane to tap all by himself, guess what, he did it!!! The smile on his face could light up the world! I was Hooked. I became a Teacher and Music Specialist for The Center for The Visually Impaired. After many years of Great learning and Service there, I was Blessed to start my own center in 2015. I call it a Blessing now, but in 2015 I did not feel that way. My job was basically done away with by a new director. However, I serve a Mighty God, I know that it was His will for me to have Ms. Gussie’s Place, named after my Sweet Mother, she taught me everything I know about Love, Hope and Education!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has not been completely smooth, the struggles in the beginning, was trying to get funding. We became a part of another company in 2018, that was a Great Blessing, especially in terms of consistent funding. Everything is good right now, I know that God has great plans for Ms. Gussie’s Place.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
This really is an Educational Service, but really it started out as a musical venture. At Ms. Gussie’s Place, the arts play a really large role. I am a guitarist and writer of songs, poems, and children’s books. I have recorded 2 officials CDs, I am very proud of both of them. I have also written a series of books called The Rudy the Red Rabbit Series: These books were written specifically for children with visual impairments, traumatic brain injuries and other multiple disabilities.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Prayerfully we will be able to reach children with all around the world. We will be able to stimulate, motivate and educate them. I would like to start a Gussonian Institute that will educate parents, teachers, social workers and others on how to effectively teach our students.
Contact Info:
- Website: Ms.Gussie’sPlace.com
- Facebook: Ms. Gussie’s Place
- Youtube: Ms. Gussie’s Place Broadcast Productions
Image Credits
Jacqueline Howard
