An oppurtunity to shine

An opportunity to shine

Al Stover / Reporting

Britney Locati / Photography

Published in issue 41.10 of the SFCC Communicator

Special education students from area high schools participated in mock interviews the event, A Chance to Shine, sponsored by District 81 and SFCC's Teachers of Tomorrow.

There were a total of 60 students from local high schools including Rogers, Medical Lake, and Jenkins High School in Chewellah, who were interviewed by SFCC students and staff as if they were in a job interview.

According to Tina Francis, a teacher in the Medical Lake school district, Special Education Training Resources in Vocational Exploration (STRIVE), a program that helped students build job skills, was dissolved three years ago.

"I met Linda Devlin, who was in charge of STRIVE and brought in students who had the idea to start A Chance to Shine," Francis said.

According to Francis, students participated in at least three interviews and were given feedback. Sandy Ross, the Teachers of Tomorrow adviser, said students understand what they need to do when it comes time to sit down and do the job interview.

"(Students know they need) the handshake, the appropriate dress and the skills they need going into the interview," Ross said.

Ross said many students also spent a year putting together a story board where they displayed their resume and images that featured their skills and accomplishments.

Anja Abbott, a high school student who wants to work with the elderly and children, said she liked the event.

"I'm kind of shy, so this helps with talking to people," Anja said.

Lorna Serrin, who is majoring in education with a focus on special education, said the event was a great opportunity for students to talk with people they usually do not come into contact with.

"It gets them out of their comfort zone a little," Serrin said.

Christopher Taylor, a senior from North Central, said the mock interview process was a little bit embarrassing.

Jenna Sterner, a second-year graphic design student, interviewed some of the students, including Taylor.

"He did an excellent job of answering my questions," Sterner said.

Other institutions around the nation have also implemented workshops to help special education students with employment skills. Ability Pittsburgh is a day-long event where special education students participate seminars and exercises which include mock interviews and resume writing, according to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership website.

Taylor said he felt good about the interviews and what he learned from the event. He also said he might go back to his old job at Salvation Army where he said his coworkers miss him.

"They want me to come back and be the boss," Taylor said. "I also want to get a car and have a good life."

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