May 15, 2015
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. ### Vision: To be a world-class school system
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