When Torylinn greeted Kacper (pronounced Kat-Spare) in Polish for the first time, something changed. His eyes lit up—not just because she spoke his language, but because she understood him. In just one year at The School at Springbrook, Torylinn has become a force for positive change, helping students like Kacper flourish by breaking down barriers with empathy, culture, and genuine connection.
Torylinn, who will celebrate her first year at Springbrook in June, brings more than just professionalism to her work—she brings heart, culture, and a deep understanding of communication in all its forms. Her journey to Springbrook began by word-of-mouth, hearing stories from current employees and through her aunt, who also works there. But the true pull came from a lifelong passion sparked years earlier.
When she was 16, working in fast food, she had an encounter with a customer who was deaf. She wished that she had been able to communicate properly. That moment became a turning point, leading to her interest in pursuing American Sign Language (ASL). “It became my whole personality,” she says, smiling. Since then, communication—true, respectful, accessible communication—has been the heartbeat of everything she does.
That heartbeat was felt deeply by Kacper, who, like Torylinn, comes from a Polish family. When she first met him, she greeted him with warmth in Polish: “Hi honey, how are you?” The look on Kacper’s face said everything. Someone saw him, heard him, understood him. A bond was instantly formed.
The connection between Torylinn and Kacper has grown into something profound. They “stim” together in Polish, echoing phrases like “To the park!” and “We’re going!” It is not just communication—it is trust. Kacper expresses affection through forehead-to-forehead hugs, a gesture that means he feels safe. With Torylinn, he feels just that. “The power of language is not always verbal,” she shares. “Intelligence is not measured by verbal communication.”
With her help, Kacper has broken through barriers. He has learned to understand and differentiate animal sounds in English and Polish, has become more focused during tasks, and most importantly—he is understood. His speech therapy sessions have flourished because Torylinn is there to bridge the gap. Her strategy is simple but powerful: if one language does not work, try another.
Torylinn’s philosophy is rooted in empathy and shaped by her own life. “Communication has always been important because of my experience with my own family growing up,” she shares. Her goal is to challenge the stigma that intelligence is not defined by speech alone. At The School at Springbrook, she advocates for accessibility for everyone and encourages others to approach each student’s communication style with an open mind.
She recently completed the Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Microcredentialing Program, offered in partnership with SUNY Oneonta and supported by Springbrook. “I really enjoyed the experience,” she says. “It’s worth it! You’re not just going to use the skills at work, but in everyday life.” The program taught her critical thinking, self-reflection, collaboration, and what she believes is most important: how to be a better person.
Her success in the program was recently highlighted in an Otsego Now article, shining a light on the impact professionals like her are making. But she is far from finished. Her next goals include completing the next class in the Microcredentialing program, participating in the Springbrook Scholars program, and eventually pursuing a career in speech therapy, psychology, and eventually, psychiatry.
Torylinn’s strength is her sincerity. She speaks highly and kindly of those around her and truly listens—an underrated but essential skill she has honed. She embodies an openness to others that allows her to learn from each new experience. At Springbrook, she has found those people in both her colleagues and the students she supports.
To those considering a career at Springbrook, she offers this wisdom: “Remember, you are not only a voice for advocacy, but a core support system for the students. When bonding with students, you become a beacon of support and safety for them.”
And for students like Kacper, Torylinn is exactly that—a beacon of kindness, safety, and understanding. In her short time at Springbrook, she has already made a positive impact. But perhaps the greatest part of this story is about a young woman with a passion for language, advocating so that every voice—no matter how it is expressed—can be heard.
