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Work-Based Success
(King Family Library)
The Work-based Learning Program has been the recipient of much praise and
commendation by those who are most affected. The workers, their employers
and graduates from the program and their employers. Since this program's
inception, many developmentally challenged students and former students
have become more fully integrated into their communities than has happened
in previous years. One sees them working not only in the private sector,
especially tourism related businesses, but also for local government and
community entities. The Sevier County Library system hosts the program daily
with an onsite classroom, office, kitchen, laundry and full access to all materials
and facilities in the King Family Library building.
What makes it work?
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Having high expectations for the students.
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Having the support of the school administration and faculty.
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Listening to the students involved, listening to the businesses involved,
matching interests to aptitudes to personalities of the student and
managers.
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Using compassion and creativity to drive the programming.
Successes
Our students are working in the community in different restaurants, the public
library, some retail stores, grocery stores and restaurants. Some students
have gone on to post secondary school at Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in
Smyrna, TN for further job training and help with job placement. A number of
the students are participating in supportive employment through the Vocational
Rehabilitation program.
Work-Based Learning – Sevier County Schools
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The following is a description of our Work-based Learning program at King
Family Library:
Goals/Objectives of the Program:
Improve post school outcomes for 16 - 22 year old students served in
CDC classrooms
Improve supported/independent living skills with practical experiences
Improve self-determination skills
Provide opportunities for interaction with post-secondary programs and
services
Train students in work and life skills in natural environments, including
community and businesses
Integrate students with nondisabled co-workers, supervisors and
customers
Evaluate student progress under national conditions
Provide regular, well-planned training in community environments
specially selected for each student
Plan of Operation:
A teacher and four job coaches operate a three tiered program of workbased learning both at SCHS and different businesses in the community.
The first tier at the educational facility and includes training in the class
setting with a job coach. Students are trained at various tasks such as
cleaning tables, rinsing dishes, putting away utensils and dishes and
loading dishes into the dishwasher. Students have also worked with the
staff putting out mail, operating a shredder and doing some light
maintenance. Students are also doing prevocational training in our
Special Candle Makers store.
The second tier of the work-based learning program consists of working
on a job crew in the community. Students are transported to different job
Work-Based Learning – Sevier County Schools
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sites in groups of four or five students and one job coach. The sites
include Kroger, Leconte Medical Center, Fort Sanders nursing home,
Wal-Mart and Gondolier. Students learn different tasks at each site and
are rotated every six weeks. Students work for 90 minutes a day and
receive credit and a grade. Students are evaluated weekly.
The third tier of the work-based learning program is for students 18 - 22
years old that are ready to work independently for up to 20 hours a week.
Using students' interests and aptitudes the teacher matches a particular
student with a business interested in participating in this program.
Students are also encouraged to apply for the WIA program (work
incentive act) to receive a training pay check through Walters State
Community College. Students have been placed at Sevier County Co-op,
Evergreen Day Care, Sevierville Library, Books-A-Million, Hungry
Howies, Hillbilly landscaping, McNeeley Whaley Ford, Mr. Gatti's, Sissy's,
Sevierville Tire and Auto services, A&W, Your Super Scrapbook Store
and Holiday Inn Express. A job coach is available at all times and
students are transported to and from the job site by a teacher. Students
are evaluated at least once a week. This is a state approved work-based
learning program that is initiated through the students IEP.
Life Skills curriculum:
On the site of the training apartment at SCHS students are taught daily living
skills activities such as cooking, maintenance and upkeep of an apartment,
cleaning and laundry. Students develop age appropriate daily living
requirements including budgeting skills, banking skills, rent a home ownership
options, supported living options, household utility bill payment, income tax
preparation, voter registration, public transportation, medical services, food
shopping, clothing selection and community responsibilities. Students
participate in one volunteer project per six weeks. These have consisted of
assorted community projects for local charities such as, catering cookies for the
school band supporters Christmas party, letters packages to soldiers overseas,
and being responsible for the Sevier County High School’s recycling club.
We are proud of this program and work daily to improve and increase its positive
impact on the people we serve in our schools and our communities.
-Jeanne Tredup, Special Education Teacher @ Sevier County High
Work-Based Learning – Sevier County Schools
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