‘These Kids have Abilities, they can do Things’ | Skills 4 Life Day Preparing Special Needs Students for Careers
Source:https://www.13wmaz.com/
Skills 4 Life Day brought together over 200 special needs students from seven counties in Central Georgia to learn essential functional and job skills through various interactive stations. Organized with the help of community businesses and volunteers, the event included topics such as construction, landscaping, and nutrition. Students like Angel Antonio Gomez-Juan expressed their aspirations, emphasizing the goal of preparing them for future opportunities and demonstrating that life after school holds many possibilities.
Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods emphasized that events like Skills 4 Life Day are essential for preparing students for future workforce success. Originating from a similar event in Laurens County, the initiative has expanded to include special education programs from multiple counties. Transition teacher Brittney Faircloth highlighted the importance of planning for special needs students’ futures as early as Pre-K, advocating against the common outcome of students graduating without direction. She stressed the need to provide opportunities to showcase their abilities.
Special education teacher Riley Troili emphasized the importance of exposing special needs students to post-graduation options early, expressing gratitude for the support from local businesses at Skills 4 Life Day. She noted that the event showcased the abilities of these students and their potential contributions to society. Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods highlighted that businesses are seeking dedicated employees, noting that special needs students often excel in job settings due to their attention to detail and positive demeanor. The event, where students spent seven minutes at each station, aims to prepare them for future opportunities, with hopes to expand it to more schools next year.
Image Source: https://www.13wmaz.com/
