Around MSD - Maryland School for the Deaf

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Work-to-Learn: A Transition Vision Celinda Rother, Agency Grant Writer, celinda.rother@msd.edu “One of my goals as a teacher is to see students become productive citizens. When students are supported in their first community-based jobs, they develop just the right skills to become productive citizens outside of the classroom.” Dina Raevsky, High School Science Teacher MSD’s Work-to-Learn Transition and Work Preparation Program embodies Dina’s classroom goals and MSD’s mission to “…prepare all students to be contributing citizens.” Work-to-Learn is funded by a twoyear grant from the Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). MSD and DORS are partnering to fulfill their shared vision of providing targeted MSD High School students with supported employment in community-based settings to prepare them for life after graduation. Program success hinges on partnerships involving MSD, communitybased businesses, and state and local service agencies. Work-to-Learn serves the school’s high school students—those who may not be headed toward college or toward sheltered workshops/ supported employment. Nancy Verdier, one of two MSD high school transition coordinators, explains that “Success in MSD’s Essential Curriculum presupposes a certain level of independence and skill that is just emerging for these students. Many have the potential to succeed in the work place and even to pass the High School Assessments [HSAs] required to earn a Maryland State Diploma. But they need help.” Now in its second year, Work- To-Learn is showing us that real life 6 THE MARYLAND BULLETIN FALL 2010 experience with some on-the-job support is the missing link that helps many students connect to the High School curriculum and grasp concepts needed for success at school and work. KC Russell-Christy, also a High School transition coordinator, has seen students make the connection between school and success on the job. “Once they discover how much they are learning at work, they realize they can also Auder Morales on-the-job at Frederick Memorial Hospital. Auder successfully learned needed job skills. His newfound sense of responsibility is evident to teachers and a model for other students in the classroom. learn in the classroom. They begin to recognize the importance of their Individualized Education Program (IEP).” Work-to-Learn students, observes High School English teacher Angie Geffen, “become more active with academic learning because they realize they have the ability to excel in whatever they put their minds to. They become more aware of who they are and what they stand for. When they have that, they are able to apply it to their classes, relationships with parents, family, and friends, and life in general.” Three program staff members work with contagious energy and enthusiasm. Jennifer Weeks, coordinator, and two employment specialists, Jenica Winnings and Bruce Persons, interview dozens of students to clarify their interests, abilities, and program eligibility. They identify business partners and develop agreements. They coach students on how to prepare and behave, teach workshops on communication and work place issues, provide transportation for interviews and work shifts, assist students on the job for as long as needed, and much more. The excellent rapport between the high school students and program staff promotes students’ success at their first jobs as they learn basic skills, develop confidence, and become comfortable communicating with hearing people in the workplace. Work-to-Learn has significantly exceeded its stated 2010 goal of plac- ing 15 students during the spring, summer and fall. MSD has already placed 26 students; partnered with 16 employers outside of MSD, and developed relationships with agencies in three counties. During the spring and fall semesters, students worked 2 ½- to 5-hour shifts two to five days each week. Over the summer, 10 students worked near their homes in Frederick, Montgomery, and Washington Counties. Finding employers willing to take on the responsibility of hiring MSD students is a challenge. When employers know that MSD will support the
process, they are more willing to accept a student as an intern or employee. The vision of the employer as a business partner is working, as most employers are remaining with the program. DORS provides critical support by partnering with State and local employment agencies to provide salaries to student workers. The employers of two Work-to- Learn students have offered them permanent jobs. The students plan to accept! Work-to- Learn benefits extend beyond the workplace to student personal growth and academic achievement. “My daughter is becoming more responsible and serious about her life,” commented one parent. “I witnessed students who were shy, unsure, and with low self-esteem evolve into confident and enthusiastic teenagers,” notes Geffen. “They came to realize that their future was bright.” Raevsky applauds the program because “students gain skills, not only work-related but also communication and writing skills, interpersonal skills, coping skills, budget skills, and more.” The HSA scores of students with work placements in summer 2009 increased by over 100 Buckingham’s Choice Retirement Community (Adamstown) C. Burr Artz Library Communication Services for the Deaf (CSD) Food Lion (Hagerstown) Frederick Memorial Hospital (Kitchen, mailroom, clerical, patient care) Giant Foods (Baltimore) Giant Foods Greenbriar Veterinary Hospital Business Partners (Frederick unless otherwise noted) points each. Program staff and teachers consider students’ work experience a contributing factor to this achievement and anticipate similar results for current Work-to-Learn students. The program supports positive relationships between diverse students and has even opened doors in the community for more internship opportunities for those who are collegebound. The Work-to- Learn vision is based on proven best practice and experience in helping students actualize the comprehensiveeducation and transition plans made during their high school years. As part of the overall high school program, Work-to-Learn greatly improves the likelihood that more MSD students will leave high school with a diploma and/or the opportunity to succeed in the world of work. The goal to help students by providing supported employment is not new to MSD. What is new is the possibility of extending the profound benefits of working to learn to the many eligible MSD students, not just a few. MSD is grateful for the support and partnerships that are making this possible. MB Bruce Persons, employment specialist; Nan Cronk-Walker, director of IEP support and development and Work-to-Learn project manager ; Michael Knight, student; Jennifer Weeks, Work-to-Learn coordinator; and Jenica Winnings, employment specialist. Michael Knight is an outstanding worker and recipient of the first Work-to-Learn Employee of the Month Award. Marshall’s Inc. (Gaithersburg) McDonald’s Restaurant (Emmitsburg) The Organized Bride Maryland School for the Deaf, Housekeeping Department Petersen’s Carpet and Flooring Renaissance Salon and Spa Shannon’s Tea House and Art Gallery Café Smoothie King United States Department of Agriculture WWW.MSD.EDU 7
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