The Lake Washington School District Transition Academy, which serves young adults with disabilities ages 18 to 21, will say goodbye to six of its graduates this June: Sara Aldrich, Andrew Christison, Gary Kocher, Johnny Meyer, Jesse Steffes, and Sarah Zitter.
For many of these students who came directly from high school, their time at the academy has been transformative, allowing them to become job-ready and active members of the community.
Instead of following an academic curriculum, the Transition Academy focuses on teaching life and career skills to these young adults, many of whom go through a series of internships and obtain a paid job by graduation.
“A real huge emphasis of what we do is building a work experience base or a resume,” explained Program Coordinator Richard Haines.
Throughout the school year, the academy works with local businesses to secure preferably paid or unpaid internships for its students.
“We would like to take kids and before they finish their last year of the school have them in a schedule that looks like what it would be like once school’s out,” Haines said.
Currently, four of the six graduates have paid jobs at REI, Trader Joes, QFC, and Kindercare, respectively. As a result, many of them no longer come regularly to the academy. Students worked with the academy and an employment agency to match them to a job that would fit their personality, interests, and skills.
Graduate Sarah Zitter had four internships at local businesses before applying for a paid position at REI in Redmond Town Center, where she now works as a retail assistant. Through the support of her REI supervisors and fellow staff members, she has learned how to fulfill general store maintenance and merchandising tasks and also enjoys interacting with store customers.
“This one time this man asked me – he came up to me and said, ‘Do you know where the swimming goggles are?’ And I just said, ‘Yes, I do, just follow me,’ and I pointed to where the swimming goggles are. And he said, ‘Thanks,’” recalled Sarah when describing one of her memorable experiences as an employee at REI.
Although Zitter has a seizure disorder, she has learned to become independent and confident in her abilities.
“She has done an outstanding job learning to manage that and working with people in her world so it doesn’t get in her way,” Haines said.
Independence is a common theme at the academy. While a large portion of the students’ week is spent working, the academy also encourages students to participate in recreational activities, build friendships, and ride the Metro independently.
Citing the 1980s sitcom “Cheers,” Haines explained, “One of the phrases that came from that (show) is ‘Go to a place where everybody knows your name.’ And if people know your name and begin to develop a relationship with you, you become a part of their community and you expand your network of people who care about you.”
Graduate Jesse Steffes, who is currently employed as a courtesy clerk at QFC, is already thinking about his plans post-graduation. He wants to live by himself and work longer hours. His hobbies include playing computer and video games, reading, and playing the card game “Magic: The Gathering.” Like Steffes, all the graduates are unique, but they all share the common goal to be active community members.
“We’re really proud that a lot of our kids are working,” Haines said. “And we’re very thankful that the business community has opened its arms to us.”
The LWSD Transition Academy, located at 16642 Cleveland Street, will hold its graduation on Tuesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. at the District Office in Redmond Town Center.
