Posted on Aug 24, 2015

Michelle Rimmer, an occupational communication specialist (OCS) with Rise’s Minnesota Employment Center (MEC) for People Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, was named MOHR’s Job Coach of the Year for the Twin Cities metro area. MOHR is the Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation. It was presented at a statewide event on June 4.

“I have enjoyed working with MEC/Rise for so many years because of the diversity of the people and opportunities,” said Michelle. “There are no two days the same and I am always kept on my toes.”

“We’re so luck to have Michelle on our MEC team,” said Program Coordinator Blaine Newberg. “Over the past 16 years, Michelle has been instrumental in the development and continuing success of Rise’s MEC program. She has assisted hundreds of people who are deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind find and maintain employment.”

In addition to her exemplary service as a job coach, Michelle also handles staff interpreting duties, helps run Rise’s OCS meetings, and mentors interns from the interpreter program at St. Paul College. OCS staff sign at an advanced level, understand hearing loss, deafness, accommodation and evaluation and also are trained as job coaches and job developers.

Congratulations, Michelle!

This article appears in the September 2015 issue of the Rise Reporter.