When you walk through the hallways at Geneseo High School, on some mornings, you’ll see Life Skills students delivering coffee to the staff.
Other days, you might observe those same students collecting recyclable items from the classrooms, shredding paperwork, or helping keep the building clean.
It’s all part of the Life Skills program and the work-based learning that takes place, a program called “Skills in Action.”
“The vision of the GHS Special Education program is that all students will learn, practice and apply individualized skills to obtain employment, access resources, participate in their community and live independently,” explains Megan VerStraete, one of the Life Skills teachers at the high school.
By providing Life Skills students with a variety of work-based experiences, learning that will extend beyond the classroom can be achieved.
“These experiences teach our students how to use appropriate social skills, problem-solve, use critical thinking, and be creative,” notes Sheila Puls, another Life Skills teacher at GHS.
Through tailored instruction, differentiated support, and flexible groupings, Puls, VerStraete and other GHS staff aim to meet students where they are and help them reach their full potential. The jobs that Life Skills students take on includes:
Coffee Corner: Students take orders, make and deliver coffee and energy drinks to staff. Students who have completed their food handler’s licenses serve to students once a week.
Coffee Corner Food: Students participate in cooking breakfast foods and snacks to sell to staff during Coffee Corner.
Weekly Recycling: Students collect recycling from classrooms.
Color Copy Center (district-wide): Students learn computer skills and practice reading instructions using a copy machine, stapler and 3-hole punch.
Shredding (district-wide): Students shred paperwork from all schools within the district.
T-shirt and Greeting Cards: Students assist with designing and creating cards using the Cricut, weeding vinyl and an iron press.
Staff Snack Cart: Students deliver snacks to staff, accept payments and make change, all while using appropriate social skills.
Cleaning: Students wipe down tables, vacuum, clean windows, Swiffer mop, and sweep in class, hallways, the cafeteria and entry way.
Students are also placed in off-campus internships based on their interests, strengths and/or potential for future employment/volunteering opportunities. Currently, GHS has students attending thirteen different off-campus sites that include jobs in food service, stocking, retail, janitorial, shredding and gardening/landscaping.
“My overall goal is to help create individuals who are happy, confident, safe and as independent as possible upon graduating from high school,” said VerStraete. “I believe all individuals have the capability to be contributing members of our community, it’s helping them find what their strengths are and what they enjoy doing.”
“We are preparing students to be productive members of their community, whether they are working or volunteering,” added Puls. “I want the students to be as independent and confident as possible so they can lead fulfilling lives after they graduate.”
