PRESS RELEASE
The School District of Lee County
Communications Department
Phone: 239-461-8420 Fax: 239-337-8505
Website: http://www.leeschools.net
Date:
May 15, 2015
Contact:
Ms. Jackie Turner, Assistant Director, Exceptional Student Education,
239-337-8280
DISTRICT TEACHERS HONORED AT FLORIDA DIVISION ON
CAREER DEVELOPMENT & TRANSITION’S VISIONS CONFERENCE
Subject:
Two Lee County educators were honored at the Florida Division on Career Development
and Transition’s 2015 Vision Conference, held May 6 – 8th in Orlando. The Florida
Division on Career Development and Transition promotes career development of
individuals with exceptionalities in order to bring about effective programs of career
awareness, exploration, preparation and transition from school to work and community
living for these individuals from early childhood through adulthood. The organization also
encourages and promotes professional growth, research, legislation and dissemination
of information among Florida individuals and organizations concerned with and involved
in career development and transition of people with exceptionalities.
Mary Ellen Chianese, a job coach with the Exceptional Student Education
Department, received the Making a Difference Award for her dedication to her students
and their families. As a job coach, Ms. Chianese builds outstanding relationships
between local businesses, schools and students by providing assessment, job
development, placement and intensive on-the-job training with each student she assists.
She serves students at Dunbar High School, Lehigh Senior High School and South Fort
Myers High School.
Michelle Smith, a teacher at Lehigh Senior High School, received the Debra Husted
Dreams Can Come True Outstanding Educator in Transition Award. Ms. Smith created
a program for successful transition at Lehigh Senior that goes above and beyond to assist
students in preparing for their adult lives. She provides her students with a variety of work
experiences both on and off campus on a daily basis to ensure that they have exposure
to a multitude of opportunities, including employment readiness skills such as appropriate
dress for the particular job, how to communicate effectively in the given setting, and how
to determine the responsibilities and expectations for the position. She not only works
tirelessly to ensure that her students are prepared for the future, but also strives to ensure
that other educators, support staff, district personnel, and parents are informed and
educated as to the importance of a successful transition for special needs students. She
also works collaboratively with other educators to provide students with opportunities for
inclusion. Through this effort, Ms. Smith educates her peers in the needs of students
preparing for transition.
The District is proud to recognize each of these outstanding educators for their
accomplishments in ensuring that the needs of all students are met in both the classroom
and in the community.
For more information about the Florida Division on Career Development and Transition,
please visit https://sites.google.com/site/floridadcdt1/home.
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Vision: To be a world-class school system