VIDBE-Q 2025 Volume 70 Issue 3
while others presented with some rare and unique makeups. Some had amazing
talents that others were yet to discover. And all had the benefit of specialized
professionals who knew exactly how to work with them to bring out their absolute
potential. I wondered, 'how did these students get here!?'
These students demonstrated skills Leo lacked. Not all were Leos, but those
who were had been equipped far beyond what I had conceived for Leo. Some were
pianists and a brailleist. Fearless navigators, advocates. Younger versions were
working on these or similar skills, and they were becoming all that they could be,
because they had access to professionals and services that "get" them. As I
returned since summer after summer, my awe never changed. I firmly believed I
had found a new kind of educator. No, their focus wasn't math or reading for the
sake of testing or prescribed state standards, but life skills. Skills I quickly realized
were life and breath for these individuals who were growing up and transitioning to
adulthood. I served as both a kids' and transition program instructor and got to see
time and again seamless collaboration, leadership, strategies, problem-solving,
consistency, and most of all, high expectations for both young and older
participants in the program. I was privileged to be brought in as the agency's first
Job Placement Specialist (developer and coach) under a grant award. I got to
dream up and implement a vision for the agency's work experience program with
endless support from my supervisor to the benefit of our adult clients and transition
