It was an afternoon of celebration and success for 10 Gilmer High seniors.
The school recognized graduating students in its Life Skills Transition Program Thursday, May 14, at the Larry Walker Education Center’s Professional Training Center.
Friends, family, educators, as well as business, community and school partners gathered in support of the program, its efforts and growth.
The program aids in vocational and life skills training. Students gain real-world experiences with hopes of a smooth transition from high school to independent living and employment opportunities. The program consists of multiple tiers that incorporate academic and community-based learning.
This year’s seniors included Joshua Ayers, Nyla Cooper, Alfredo Chavez, Michael Amerson, Stephen Harris, Riley Manders, Ava Jane Sanders and Emily Pendley.
The program is under the direction of special education teachers Jessica Hensley and Taylor Johnstone. They are assisted by paraprofessionals Adrianne Bowen, Amanda Bright, Katie Jerauld and Natasha Bagwell.
Johnstone spends days in the classroom teaching, and Jordan Hice runs the program’s adaptive physical education class. Hensley is out in the community for much of her day assisting businesses where students gain those valuable skills.
Ayers and Chavez have graduated out of the program and secured employment while the remaining eight will return next year.
“Chavez has a job with a retail store, which we have been working with,” Hensley said.
“Ayers is one of our level 3s in the program, and he has been training and employed by the board of education as a custodian. He has actually put in his application to get hired on full time. He’s part time right now, and he’ll be working through the summer.”
In its inaugural year in 2021, there were seven students in the program and nine business, community and school partners participated. Currently, the program has 10 business partners and 24 school and community partnerships.
With the eight returning students and six underclassmen, 14 will be in the program at the beginning of next school year.
“We want to keep growing and doing new things,” Hensley said. “We want to keep teaching these kids how to be as independent as possible.
“When I first started teaching, I knew this is what I was called to do. In college, I started out in early childhood education and prayed about what I was going to do. I felt led to special education and changed my major. I knew this is where God had called me, and all I want to do is be a blessing to kids. In the 18 years I’ve been doing this, they have been more of a blessing to me than I could ever be.”
Those interested in sponsoring the program can contact Hensley at jessica.hensley@gilmerschools.com.