04/17/2026
Listening in a Different Way
Tracy Lesnikowski firmly believes that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. After two decades in the field, she isn't just working—she’s advocating.
Tracy’s journey began 20 years ago in the school district, where she quickly realized that the "media version" of Autism didn't match the vibrant reality of the kids she worked with. That realization eventually led her to St. David’s Center, where she now serves as a Paraprofessional at our Minnetonka ADT Center.
"Most people see the stigma. Kids who don’t make eye contact or use verbal speech," Tracy says. "But they have SO MUCH to say. You just have to learn to listen differently. When you provide the right tools, they can achieve anything."
For Tracy, "listening differently" means seeing the potential in every interaction. She recalls a recent breakthrough with a student who used a "talker" (AAC device) to communicate. After 1.5 years of working together to adjust the tool and master its use, Tracy heard a voice over a walkie-talkie that stopped her in her tracks:
"My ride’s here! Yay!"
It’s those four words—a year and a half in the making—that remind Tracy why she does what she does. By bridging the gap between school, home, and center, Tracy ensures our kids don’t just have a voice—they have a community that knows how to listen.
