It was January, 2005 when Joseph Rogers joined the Visions crew. He started out as a tech but soon moved on to exercise his teaching and psychology degrees as the Educational Director at our Outpatient Day School. Since then, he has created an environment of trust and care within the classroom. Joseph has also created a wonderful space for nurturing spirituality, as he’s lead a weekly meditation group for the several years. In many ways, Joseph has become the gardener of spirituality and compassion amongst those that are under his tutelage. Many an alumni make efforts to come back for visits and to ask him for advice or direction when they encounter difficulties, and regardless of circumstance, he greets them with an open heart.
Joseph is currently pursuing his Masters in Divinity at the University of the West. He has long been pulled toward teaching the practice of meditation and becoming a chaplain will allow him to reach more people struggling with addiction and mental health from the spiritual perspective. It’s exciting to know that we’ll have a chaplain in our midst.
The Visions team genuinely adores Joseph. This really became apparent to me when I began to receive comments about him from some of his colleagues. What I received was amazing and heartfelt. We are truly lucky to have Joseph Rogers in our midst:
Fiona A. Ray, our Director of Outpatient and Aftercare Services had this to say, “Joseph’s approach to instilling academic esteem with his students is unparalleled and refreshing. He brings creative innovation to the learning process and continues to develop new methods to address various learning styles. It is an honor and a privilege to work in tandem with someone who inspires both his students and co-workers.
Daniel Dewey, our Teacher/Residential Director of Education, aptly quotes the Buddha when he thinks of Joseph, “His work is to discover his work and then with all of his heart give himself to it.”
John Lieberman, our Director of Operations, says, “I believe that Joseph is the perfect man to teach out kids. Joseph is a combination of edge, gentle, fun and calm. I would want Joseph to be my teacher.”
And Amanda Shumow, our fearless leader and one of our Founders really says it all: “Joseph truly exemplifies what it is Visions sets out to do as a company. He takes care of the students with compassion and efficiency and shows them they can be successes in this world with the right support. As an educator, Joseph finds the best way for a child to learn and then meets their needs as opposed to teaching with a “one size fits all” approach. Joseph is also a trained meditation instructor and helps to bring mindfulness to all of us. He is without a doubt, one of Visions’ best!”
Hear what Joseph had to say when we asked him a few, erm, pointed questions:
1. What is the name of your favorite book?
“Tropic of Cancer” by Henry Miller
2. What would you prefer to vacation next to … River, Ocean or Lake?
Definitely the ocean, fewer bugs that way. And I’ve never been to a tropical island.
3. Favorite food as a kid?
Escargot. True story.
4. You can only bring 3 items with you to an island for 5 years…what are your 3 items?
A boat. A tent. My wife.
5. Who’s a better Super Hero…Superman or Batman?
Spiderman: He’s the “everyman,” the superhero with problems. I don’t like nationalism or revenge as motives.
6. Have you ever been Skydiving?
Yes, I like to jump out of high places. My dad took me for my 21st birthday. He is afraid of heights.
7. Favorite dish your wife makes?
Apple cobbler on the 4th of July with fresh apples from our tree.
8. If Kermit the Frog came to you for advice about what to buy Miss Piggy for her Birthday what would you tell him?
I miss Jim Henson.
9. Ice Cream or Pinkberry?
Life is short. Ice cream.
10. Why do you choose to work for Visions?
The free trip to a tropical island for seven years of service. It helps that I love what I do, too.
