Supporting Student Voice and Choice
Weekly Message for October 26th-30th
Grace's YTP Story
Grace has always loved nature along with the creatures that live in it. As the Youth Transition Program (YTP) Specialist for the Wilsonville High School and Arts and Technology High School, Carol Davis first met Grace Martin as a Freshman. Carol’s not sure if it was the way Grace cared for and talked about her kitten that convinced her, or the way Grace would help every insect in need, it was clear from the beginning that Grace’s passion and her goal was to one-day work with animals.
Lacking experience in the work world, her Learning Specialist (Liz Kinder) and Carol first thought of CREST, the District’s Science and Environmental Center, where YTP Specialist Becky Hancock operates a “Summer Work Experience” program. At CREST, students work on a variety of tasks and activities focusing on career exploration, work readiness, and other pre-Employment Transition Skills to further develop a student’s interests, needs, and strengths. Grace applied and participated in the CREST Work experience that summer and it was noted in her CREST report that her strengths included an “enthusiasm and eagerness to learn” along with an attitude Grace herself expressed as “you never know what connections you make that might lead to something else”. This is especially true when a part of YTP!
That summer Grace also participated as a counselor in the District “Teen Leadership” program which further revealed her passion and skills in working with others. Grace gained key skills in leading activities for youth and communicating clearly within a group, all while gathering new abilities working within a team.
With demonstrated work skills and a positive attitude, she signed up for YTP, and a job shadow was arranged at a local Veterinary clinic. She actively engaged in the job shadow, observing, asking questions, and further confirming her desire to work with animals.
When Carol mentioned to Grace that she wanted to refer her to Vocational Rehabilitation’s (VR) Summer Work Internship for Transition (SWIFT) program, and the opportunity for a paid work experience, Grace eagerly said YES and her YTP team supported her as she focused on the SWIFT application and interview preparation. Grace was thrilled to be awarded a spot in SWIFT, especially when she heard she’d have the opportunity to work as an assistant in a Veterinary Clinic. The job location was not close, but she worked with her SWIFT team who prepared Grace, strengthening her work readiness and self-advocacy skills.
As she returned to school that Fall, she had grown in ability and confidence, and proudly showed Carol the name of the veterinarian she had worked with, who she now listed as a reference on her resume.
Though enrolled in classes at Arts and Technology HS, Grace was eager to continue her work experience with animals during the school year. Working with Grace’s Learning Specialist (Kate Gaede), together with Grace’s determination, an unpaid internship was arranged for Grace to independently travel to/from a local “Doggie Daycare” where she assisted with playtime, care, and clean up after the dogs. Soon after, a position opened at the local vet where Grace had previously “job shadowed”. Grace applied, interviewed, and was awarded a summer job as an animal care assistant. Her supervisor exclaims that Grace notably loves having her hands on the animal patients, is eager to learn, listens, follows directions well and is always on time. She was so pleased with Grace’s work that she asked Grace to stay on year round.
Well done Grace! And to her involved and supporting Team of Learning Specialists, Transition Specialists, VR counselors plus extended YTP and VR support that brought Grace along this path of learning and exploration to where she is today, employed in her dream job as she completes her Senior year in High School. She is already setting her next goal to study entomology!
Our team is making videos and handouts for families to access these awesome kits!
TIES Center | Distance Learning Engagement
"Think about distance learning for students with disabilities as happening in phases. The First Phase focused on getting something going for students, even if it was not perfect. The Second Phase is thinking more holistically about the students, how to embed learning opportunities in their home environments, moving forward with greater collaboration with team members, including parents and siblings, and using online tools to provide greater access and engagement. The Third Phase, which we are now entering, is when programs integrate the principles of quality inclusive practices and effective instruction into distance learning. And the Fourth Phase involves both considering strategies to support hybrid learning as well as ensuring that the knowledge, skills, and collaboration that were gained during distance learning transfer back into the classroom. The TIES Center is now focusing its work on the Third and Fourth Phases, particularly for students with significant cognitive disabilities. The specific DL articles, to date, that provide a detailed process for engaging in this work"
Check out the first section of the Distance Learning Series here.
This first section shares how we may consider routines, engaging in grade level academics and engaging with others through distance learning.
Adobe Sign Tip of the Week: Optional Fields
Workshop Wednesday
October 28 | High School Transition PD
This training is mandatory for high school staff. Please make sure that you can attend this important training that will be co-facilitated with Kriss Rita, our Transition Network Facilitator from Clackamas ESD.
November 4 | Virtual Staff Room from 2:30-3:30
*Please remember to sign up on the Student Services Professional Development Calendar! Here is a quick video tutorial on how to Sign-in for the PD Calendar if you need support!
Friday Para-Educator PD
October 30th | Student Engagement and Staff Resiliency
We will be focusing on engagement strategies for students, building staff self-care and resiliency. The Zoom link is posted on our PD Calendar and at the end of this email. As always, these trainings are completely optional, and if you are already assigned a task in your building at this time, that takes priority. Our sessions will be recorded for later viewing, and you can find recordings on this Google Doc.
We are using our PD Calendar on the Student Services page to hold all of our upcoming Student Services training zoom links. This will save you from having to dig through many emails to find the links! The PD Calendar is available after logging into our website. Here is a quick video reminder on how to do that.
If you do not know your login information, please submit a tech trouble ticket: https://tekmee.wlwv.k12.or.us rather than emailing Curt. For future sessions, it can take some time to get your password reset, so if you need a link to the Zoom meeting quickly, please reach out to Maria Swanson so she can pass the link on.
We are here for you!
Lauren Brigsby | Director of Special Education
Stephanie Clawson | Assistant Director of Special Education
Jennifer Spencer-Iiams | Assistant Superintendent of Student Services