It's an exciting time to join Fraser. We are growing all the time: an average of 9% employee growth per year. We have a vibrant community, full of opportunities, learning, and best of all, the knowledge that you spend each day making a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of people that need you.
Fraser has the advantages of a big organization and the access of a small one. We provide opportunities for growth in many ways: formal and informal mentoring; additional job duties based on strengths; implementing your ideas for improvement with our leadership team, and much more! In fact, many of our leaders at Fraser were promoted from within. Find out how you can build a career with Fraser!
Fraser's culture is rich, and full of history. We have worked to build our culture around our core principles of Partnership, Innovation, Respect, and Quality. It is Fraser's promise to our clients and staff to hold these principles at the heart of everything we do.
We strive to be a place where everyone can feel comfortable and achieve their highest potential, including clients, families and staff.
We expect each employee to live our Employee Credo:
I am passionate for the client.
I am committed to success.
I value relationships.
Our founder, Louise Whitbeck Fraser, was born in 1894 in Grand Forks, N.D. She earned a teaching certificate and was quickly noted to have a special gift. She was often assigned to work with the students who needed the most help.
Louise and her husband, Wesley Fraser, had four children: Mary Louise, Jean, Bobby and Wesley Jr. At the age of 6 weeks, Jean contracted spinal meningitis and was later diagnosed with mental retardation as a result of the illness. A heartbreaking accident occurred when Bobby was just 3 years old, and he passed away. In 1928, Wesley Fraser, Sr., a prohibition agent, was tragically shot to death during his final investigation.
Despite these tragedies, Louise persevered, and in 1931 moved her three children to the Twin Cities. Louise took Jean to the University of Minnesota where she learned that Jean had profound hearing impairment. Her daughter's challenging behavior was due to her inability to hear, not mental retardation.
Louise decided to teach Jean at home while waiting for an opening in a program for deaf children. Since Jean was able to hear high and low tones, Mrs. Fraser found music to be a teaching tool that would hold her attention. Jean responded well to the music and learned concepts quickly. News of Mrs. Fraser's success spread throughout the special needs community and other families pleaded with her to teach their children too.
In 1935, Mrs. Fraser opened a school in her home for children with disabilities. With the encouragement and support of many grateful parents, she pioneered special education in Minnesota and gained national acclaim for her innovative teaching methods and the remarkable achievements of her students. Music therapy became the cornerstone of her teaching program.
Mrs. Fraser devoted herself to improving the lives of as many children as she could. She provided help and hope to many families who otherwise might have had none.
Some other pieces of our history to note: