Course Description for
Career Planning Strategies
Teacher: Wendy Clifford
email: wrcliffo@mpsaz.org
Phone: (480) 472-4646
Room: 121
Office: 121
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Westwood High School and
the Career Planning Strategies class. The purpose of the Career Planning Strategies class
is for students to acquire the necessary tools and strategies to develop an individualized
employment plan. Areas addressed will include self-advocacy/self-determination skills,
vocational assessments, job acquisition skills, work ethics and career pathways. Methods
to be incorporated include hands on activities, situational assessments, guest speakers
from Mesa Public Schools and the community, technological applications, cooperative
learning, and personal experiences.
Career Explorations will cover the following topics:
Understanding Personality Traits
Goal Setting (Employment, Training, Living, Community Involvement)
Understanding Working Relationships and Communication
Plan of Study/Course of Study to meet career prerequisites
Using the Career Center
Making Realistic Career Choices
Job Search Process
Self-Advocacy and Self-determination skills
Appropriate Vocational Behavior/Social Skills on the job
Becoming familiar with post-secondary education and training
Determining Learning Styles
Individualized Education Plan training
EXPECTATIONS:
Be on time (in seat when bell rings)
Be prepared to work bring paper and a writing tool)
Be responsible to others(teacher/aide/and students)
Be willing to work cooperatively with others
Put forth the maximum amount of effort
CONSEQUENCES
1ST offense- Student/Teacher Conference
2nd offense- ALC/Phone call to parent
3rd offense- Office referral
A severe disturbance or interruption in learning will result in an automatic referral to
administration (fighting, stealing, inappropriate language, or harassment).
COURSE GUIDELINES;
Classroom:
Students will be given adequate time to complete most assignments in the classroom.
There will be daily assignments, quizzes, tests. Occasionally, homework will be
assigned (such as portfolios and written reports) that will be assigned. However, the
student will have more than enough time to complete the assignment. Support from
home is essential to assisting the student meet their transition needs to maximum extent
possible. On occasion, students will be required to bring in personal history information
to fill out resumes and job applications. Quarterly projects will be assigned and
incomplete grades will be given if the required reports are not turned in by the end of the
quarter. Late work will be accepted no more than two days past the micro grade
check(grade printout). Please encourage your child to turn in work in a timely manner.
Please keep this course description to answer any questions or clarify expectations
of this course.
Sincerely,
Wendy Clifford
Transition Facilitator
Westwood High School
480-472-4646
email: wrcliffo@mpsaz.org
Parents/Guardians,
Please have your child return this page to me as verification of understanding the
course outline, expectations, and classroom procedures. I look forward to working
with you to meet the transition needs of your child at Westwood High School.
Student Signature__________________________________________
Parent Signature___________________________________________