In This Issue
Connie Hillman Family Foundation Helps JTED Students
Project SEARCH Honored
Theatre Tech Program Goes High-Tech for Safety
Cosmetology Students Face Off in Competition
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Partners, Donors Help Students Stay on Course 

Fire boots Pima County JTED Superintendent/CEO Alan Storm, Ph.D. has met too many students over the years who have considered leaving JTED so that they can get a full-time job in order to have enough money to cover school supplies and/or living expenses. "We're willing to waive a fee if there's a need, and many times our staff and I, like many educators, are willing to pay out of our own pockets to help a student stay in school, but the harsh reality is about one-third of our students come from low-income families and cannot afford everything they need." Storm said.

 

The formation of a foundation was a logical answer to the problem, but JTED's Governing Board members, Business and Industry Advisory members, and administrators found that doing so required a huge time investment and maneuvering through a lot of red tape. It's also work that JTED staff aren't legally allowed to do on District time.
 

The Pima Community College Foundation Board of Directors and Executive Director Cheryl House came to the rescue. The Board agreed to accept and manage donations placed in a fund to benefit JTED students. Pima County JTED Governing Board Member Mary Jondrow, Ph.D., said, "It's wonderful to see two institutions that deeply care about students work together to accomplish something that once seemed impossible."
 

The Connie Hillman Family Foundation has made the first grant to the fund. Foundation Director Larry Adamson recently presented a check for $10,000 to Storm for programs supporting high school level students with career and technical education to give them a head start on college and careers.

"This gift will help students who need uniforms, supplies and assistance with the fees required for their State certifications." Storm said. "And thanks to the Pima Community College Foundation, this gift and those from our future donors will enable many students to enter well-paying careers with dignity and pride - it's all really fabulous."

Linkages Honors Project SEARCH

 

Linkages Award Presentation Linkages, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities, honored Project SEARCH as the Project of the Year at their seventh annual Building Bridges Awards Luncheon held this week. Linkages founder, Jim Click, presented the award to Sonoran University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Program Coordinator Laura Schweers, and to Pima County JTED Project SEARCH instructor Daniel Habinek (photo left).


Project SEARCH is a national program bringing employers, educators, and vocational and rehabilitation leaders together helping young adults with developmental disabilities become workforce ready and find meaningful careers. Locally, the partnership includes: 

  • UCEDD
  • Pima County JTED
  • SAGE/Easter Seals Blake Foundation
  • DES Division of Developmental Disabilities
  • DES Rehabilitation Services Administration
  • Linkages Arizona

JTED's  program works with partners at the University of Arizona Medical Center - South Campus, and the UA main campus to provide students real, hands-on work experience.

After completing the nine month program, 75 percent of JTED's Project SEARCH alumni find jobs - well over the national average of about 35 percent for employees with special needs.

The most important criterion for acceptance into Project SEARCH is a desire to achieve competitive employment.
 

Cutting Edge Technology Won't Cut Fingers

 

SawStop table saw Any shop teacher will tell you that it only takes one second of distraction to lose a finger while using a table saw. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission table saw accidents nationwide result in 10 amputations each day.

That's why JTED's Theatre Tech program at Catalina Foothills High School invested in a new SawStop table saw. The blade, spinning at 4,000 rpm, stops instantly and lowers completely under the table in five milliseconds when it senses electrical current conducted by metal or a finger. It does this 10 times faster than car airbags deploy.
 

That's 1,450 fingers Instructor Norm Testa doesn't have to watch as closely everyday - although he still does - as an average of 25 students in each class busily construct elaborate sets and props for the Theatre Arts Department's productions.
 

Testa said his advanced students are gaining the equivalent of freshman or sophomore college level experience in his program, and they have access to more technologically-advanced equipment than many colleges own.

The 17-year veteran teacher started his career as a professional lighting designer and master lighting and sound director for theatres, traveling Broadway Shows, and cruise ships. "JTED has provided us with every piece of technology, from lighting, to sound, to carpentry and welding," he said.

Cosmetology Students Unveil Tricks and Treats

FX Make-up entries


 

The Cutting Class JTED Academy of Cosmetology at Master Pieces held its annual FX Makeup Contest on Thursday, October 30 with over 60 entries. 


Cosmetology students participated in the event by decorating mannequin heads and styling hair and makeup. Many of the designs included prosthetic extensions using latex, clay, and polystyrene foam.

 

Students entered pieces to compete with each other in six categories: Animal, Storybook, Fantasy, Film, Glamour, and Scary. Winners of the contest will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 4th.

 

For a comprehensive photo album of all the entries, please visit JTED's new facebook fan page, and while you're there "like" our new page! 

 

If you have a story idea, comments or suggestions for The Way to Work, please contact Greg D'Anna, Director of  Public Relations.

Sincerely,

Greg D'Anna,
Editor, The Way to Work

 

Mark Anthony Febbo
Writer, The Way to Work

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