Project SEARCH grads ready for work

Students beamed and parents snapped photos and dabbed at some tears of pride, and one thing that set apart the ceremony Tuesday was that every graduate already has a job.

That’s the goal of the Project SEARCH High School Transition Program, piloted this school year with five William Blount High School students. One of 10 Project SEARCH programs in the state, it provides school-to-work transition for students with disabilities.

A ceremony Tuesday at the Chilhowee Club recognized the first students completing their internships. Next year, Blount County Schools plans to enroll six or seven students from both William Blount and Heritage high schools in the program.

School-to-Work Transition

The William Blount students in the program started their day with an hour of classroom instruction, followed by four hours at an internship site and then an hour of academics, all on the Maryville College campus. The students rotated among internships in the dining hall, providing housekeeping at Crawford House and completing clerical work, such as alphabetizing files and identifying outdated records.

The internships allowed students to practice work skills, gain confidence and show what they can do.

“We’re all about providing opportunities for our kids,” William Blount Principal Rob Clark said during the ceremony. Throughout the year, he noticed students’ confidence increasing along with their excitement about going to school and work.

Director of Schools Rob Britt remembered some of the students from his days as principal at Carpenters Middle School. “To see them as Project SEARCH graduates and employees is an honor,” Britt said.

Metz Culinary Management, which runs the Maryville College dining hall, hired intern Allen Denton in January.

“Allen is a detail-oriented young man,” General Manager James Dulin said. “He took the initiative to enlarge his own job,” taking on more responsibility.

“These students come with a thirst to contribute,” Dulin said, and the joy they bring to their work inspires the college students and makes those around them happier.

Blount County Schools has hired the other four to work in its cafeterias, primarily in the dish rooms, Brittany Campbell at Carpenters Middle, Cole Taylor at Union Grove Elementary, Tiffany Riggs at Heritage High and Trevor Fuller at Carpenters Elementary.

To help families with the transition to work, the school district is providing transportation in the morning this month and the parents or ETHRA provide transportation in the afternoon. In May, the parents will be responsible for arranging the transportation.

When the work resumes with the new school year, job coaches will check in with the new workers and help them through their inservice training and ensure a smooth transition back to the workplace.

Standing ovation

Parents gave Project SEARCH teacher Tammy Hearon a standing ovation during the ceremony and said they are grateful for the program.

“It’s given us a clear path,” said Keith Fuller, who also noticed his son, Trevor, taking on more responsibility at home.

“It was a godsend,” said Mike Taylor, Cole’s dad.

Hearon, who has been active with Special Olympics for 16 years, told the interns they could take Wednesday off work to go to the track and field competition at Heritage High School. They all chose to work instead.

“They’re going to make great employees,” she said.

In addition to BCS and Maryville College, Project SEARCH partners include Sertoma Center and three state departments covering education, human services, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.