RYE Y STORY PROJECT: TATUM

Nine and a half years ago, my daughter Amber was going into Kindergarten. I was looking for an hourly part time job teaching fitness classes. I applied for an instructor position at the Y and starting teaching. Within a couple of months, I started to work in gymnastics and sports, teaching classes and recess while my daughter was in school. I was soon very involved in the Y and was offered a full time teaching job within a year.

I was going through some trying situations at home, and the support of the Y helped me become mature and more independent as a single mother and become more stable to tackle situations that I would not have been able to do before.

I love the people I work with and love teaching the children. I love what I do and it helps me become a better parent and better involved in the community. The best feeling in the world is seeing the children outside of the Y and them knowing who I am and know that I am from the Y and having them feel safe around me.