Tessa Turner Perry grew up in Mountain View, Arkansas, the kind of small community where people show up for each other. She still lives nearby, now in Fox with her husband Dillon, and that same instinct to show up is exactly what brought her to Easterseals Arkansas.
As a Direct Support Manager in the Community Living and Roommate Housing program, Tessa stepped into her current role in June 2026. She got there by doing the work first. Before moving into management, she spent two and a half years as a Direct Support Professional, learning from the inside what it actually takes to support individuals with disabilities day in and day out. That experience shapes how she leads now.
A Path That Started With One Teenager
Tessa's passion for healthcare didn't start in a classroom. It started when she had the opportunity to care for a teenager with disabilities. "That experience opened my eyes to the impact that compassionate support can have on someone's life," she says. It also set the course for everything that followed.
From there, Tessa built an academic record that's hard to overlook. She graduated as valedictorian of Mountain View High School in 2023, then went on to Southern Arkansas University where she earned her bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration in May 2026, graduating Summa Cum Laude and taking home the Outstanding Healthcare Administration Student of the Year award. She's currently in SAU's 4+1 program, on track to finish her MBA in December 2026.
She's 23.
Data-Driven. People-First.
Tessa describes herself as organized, detail-oriented, and analytical, someone who enjoys working with data to spot trends and make informed decisions. But ask her what she's focused on right now and she'll tell you it's relationships, not reports.
"I hope they would describe me as approachable, supportive, and willing to listen," she says of the DSPs she manages. Her goal is straightforward: create an environment where people feel comfortable asking questions, sharing concerns, and knowing they have someone in their corner. For a team doing some of the most demanding and meaningful work in human services, that kind of leadership matters.
Beyond the Office
Outside of work, Tessa teaches group fitness classes, including Pilates, and volunteers her time choreographing routines and leading dance workshops for her former high school dance team. In high school, she was an All-State and All-Star Dancer, served as dance team captain during a state championship season, and helped the team win two state titles overall. She still shows up for that program because she knows what it meant to her, and she wants the next generation of dancers to have that same experience.
Her ideal day off? Start with exercise, spend time with her mom, and make memories with Dillon. Simple, grounded, and exactly what you'd expect from someone who knows what actually matters.
What She Hopes to Leave Behind
"I want to be remembered for the impact I had on people, not just the work I did." For Tessa Turner Perry, those aren't separate things. At Easterseals Arkansas, they never have been.
What Is a Direct Support Professional in Arkansas?
Direct Support Professionals are the backbone of disability services in Arkansas. DSPs are essential workers who provide direct support to people with disabilities, serving as mentors and advocates for each person they support. Their work empowers people to achieve their goals and live fulfilling, independent lives.
At Easterseals Arkansas, DSPs are responsible for supporting the health, safety, and independence of individuals with physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities, providing training and assistance on individualized goals for daily life skills in a supportive and positive learning environment.
It's a role that requires real skill and real commitment. Rather than taking over, DSPs focus on teaching and empowering the individuals they serve to foster independence, whether that means helping someone navigate a job, build a daily routine, or connect with their community.
At Easterseals Arkansas, every DSP role comes with ongoing paid training, clear pathways to organizational leadership, student loan forgiveness opportunities, and a competitive benefits package. Whether you're looking for full-time work, a flexible schedule around school, or a career with room to grow, direct support professional positions in Arkansas are open now.
Interested in becoming a direct support professional in Arkansas? Visit eastersealsar.com/become-a-direct-support-professional-at-easterseals to learn more and apply.
