Hello,

Thanks for visiting my teacher page.  I hope you find the information and resources shared helpful in your post-secondary transition planning in the areas of education/training programs, career planning, and independent living. 

 As the Transition Coordinator, my role is to support the IEP team, which includes teachers, students, parent(s), secondary counselors, with the development of students’ post-secondary transition plans.  In addition to attending IEP meetings, I teach three transition courses. They are semester courses that meet three times a cycle. Please see the course descriptions below.

 In addition to my role as Transition Coordinator, other responsibilities are: 

• SSD Coordinator: I assist students and parents with applying for College Board (SAT/PSAT/AP) and ACT accommodations.
• Homebound Teacher Coordinator: I work with the secondary counselors find homebound teachers for students that cannot attend school.

TRANSITION COURSES

1. Transition to Post-Secondary Education (Juniors: Spring and Seniors: Fall)

Course Description:  This class was developed to assist special education students to prepare for post-secondary education programs, in addition to the other supports available at the high school.    

 A sampling of class topics includes: 

• Understanding the differences between high school and college (IDEA vs ADA)
• Self-Advocacy Skills
• College and Career Exploration using Naviance
• How to Access Support Services/Accommodations in College
• Enhance self-awareness: Understanding one’s disability/learning styles
• Navigating the GVHS College Application Process
• Assistance with completing college applications and writing the admission essay
• Registering to vote and registering with the Selective Service (Males 18+) 

 2. Transitions to Careers 1

Course Description:  Transitions 1 include topics such as career interest inventories, career research, improving self-awareness, identifying strengths and challenges, improving advocacy skills, increasing self-determination skills, introduction to job search strategies, completing employment applications, understanding positive employability traits, developing a resume, practicing interviewing skills, acquiring working papers, and information provided on obtaining a PA Photo ID.

3. Transitions to Careers 2

Course Description: Transitions 2 builds upon the Transitions I course and offers students the opportunity to explore careers and develop a career plan.  Students will complete self-assessments to identify personal interests, strengths, and challenges.  Students will be presented with an overview of job search strategies, interviewing skills, and resume development from the Transitions I course.  Students will be introduced to W-2 and W-4 forms.  Also, students will be provided information on registering to vote and registering for the selective service (males 18+).  

“There needs to be a lot more emphasis on what a child can do instead of what he/she cannot do.”    Dr. Temple Grandin

WHAT IS SECONDARY TRANSITION?

Secondary transition is the process of preparing students who have qualified for special education services for life after they leave high school.  The areas of focus are POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION OR TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, and INDEPENDENT LIVING. These three areas are often referred to as post-secondary outcomes and are the driving force behind Individualized Education Programs (IEP’s) written for students in high school. In Pennsylvania, transition planning begins for students at age 14.

PA Secondary Transition Link:  https://www.pasecondarytransition.com/