B2B: Transition Specialist Reflections, 2019
The B2B Transition Specialists share perspectives on their work during the 2018-19 school year.
Aaron
What positive changes have you seen in the students you support?
Some positive changes I've seen in my students is the will to learn and to become lifelong learners. Most of my clients’ school experiences hadn't been positive before I began working with them. So, to see the change in them, in wanting to attend school, is very positive. Also, I’ve been able to get students curious about discovering knowledge for themselves, and focusing on their interests, skills and natural talents.
What inspired you?
What inspires me the most is seeing kids who look just like me who are in a system that's set up for them to fail. I'm inspired by all of the Black men and women who came before me, so that I have the opportunity to be able to help the students we serve.
What went well?
The Building to Equity Training series and intersessions, helping with the on-boarding process of all the new Transition Specialists at MESD, the three youth on my caseload who graduated and are moving on to the next level of their education, and becoming a Senior Lead Transition Specialist.
How have you grown?
A skill I've grown most as a professional is the ability to cultivate a hardworking and self-functioning team. I feel I've grown more in this area this year because I see great work being done by my colleagues. They're all trained to become self-sufficient Transition Specialists and give great service to the youth we serve.
Some positive changes I've seen in my students is the will to learn and to become lifelong learners. Most of my clients’ school experiences hadn't been positive before I began working with them. So, to see the change in them, in wanting to attend school, is very positive. Also, I’ve been able to get students curious about discovering knowledge for themselves, and focusing on their interests, skills and natural talents.
What inspired you?
What inspires me the most is seeing kids who look just like me who are in a system that's set up for them to fail. I'm inspired by all of the Black men and women who came before me, so that I have the opportunity to be able to help the students we serve.
What went well?
The Building to Equity Training series and intersessions, helping with the on-boarding process of all the new Transition Specialists at MESD, the three youth on my caseload who graduated and are moving on to the next level of their education, and becoming a Senior Lead Transition Specialist.
How have you grown?
A skill I've grown most as a professional is the ability to cultivate a hardworking and self-functioning team. I feel I've grown more in this area this year because I see great work being done by my colleagues. They're all trained to become self-sufficient Transition Specialists and give great service to the youth we serve.
Aketi
What positive changes have you seen in the students you support?
Those who are open and willing to change their behavior have shown improvements with attendance, grades and motivation in general. I also have some students who are motivated to pursue jobs and higher education.
What inspired you?
I’m inspired by watching someone move from a place of resignation and complacency to inspiration and motivation. It's a great feeling to watch the transition of someone who thinks they will never succeed begin to conquer small challenges and build confidence to keep going.
What went well?
Working with youth from last year who are finally getting released into the community has been a joy to watch. Getting into a groove with communication, school visits and building a rapport with new youth, as well as reconnecting with clients from last year, has been great.
How have you grown?
I think I’m better at staying calm when things don't go as planned and not taking it personally when youth make poor choices. I’m confident knowing that as long as I’m doing my best each day, that is enough. The rest is up to the clients.
Those who are open and willing to change their behavior have shown improvements with attendance, grades and motivation in general. I also have some students who are motivated to pursue jobs and higher education.
What inspired you?
I’m inspired by watching someone move from a place of resignation and complacency to inspiration and motivation. It's a great feeling to watch the transition of someone who thinks they will never succeed begin to conquer small challenges and build confidence to keep going.
What went well?
Working with youth from last year who are finally getting released into the community has been a joy to watch. Getting into a groove with communication, school visits and building a rapport with new youth, as well as reconnecting with clients from last year, has been great.
How have you grown?
I think I’m better at staying calm when things don't go as planned and not taking it personally when youth make poor choices. I’m confident knowing that as long as I’m doing my best each day, that is enough. The rest is up to the clients.
Amanda
What positive changes have you seen in the students you support?
I have a student who was hardly engaged in school last year. She ended up being asked to leave her home school and was enrolled into an online web academy. She really struggled to stay involved with the online school. When I first met with her at the beginning of the year, she was completely against trying to return to her home school and wouldn't even entertain the idea. After having a few long conversations, she agreed to give it one more try. Since returning, she attends regularly and stays all day. I meet with her weekly. Her engagement in school has skyrocketed. She is set to graduate middle school next week.
What inspired you?
Seeing youth who come out of detention determined to do well is inspiring. Coming into detention really puts things into perspective for them. Being in detention helps some youth realize their goals and hopes. Having someone in their corner helps motivate them to get out and start strong.
What went well?
Because it was my first year on the team, coming in and making connections with school staff was important. It’s helpful to support youth if we have some school staff who know us, and we can build a rapport. I’ve built and made connections with at least one staff member at all the schools that I can utilize to help support my youth when I’m not around.
How have you grown?
An area I’ve grown in is facilitating groups and public speaking. I helped facilitate two equity-focused intercessions. From the first event to the second, I feel like I improved, dramatically. Also, I did a small welcoming speech at the beginning of an equity series B2B co-hosted, which was a huge step for me.
I have a student who was hardly engaged in school last year. She ended up being asked to leave her home school and was enrolled into an online web academy. She really struggled to stay involved with the online school. When I first met with her at the beginning of the year, she was completely against trying to return to her home school and wouldn't even entertain the idea. After having a few long conversations, she agreed to give it one more try. Since returning, she attends regularly and stays all day. I meet with her weekly. Her engagement in school has skyrocketed. She is set to graduate middle school next week.
What inspired you?
Seeing youth who come out of detention determined to do well is inspiring. Coming into detention really puts things into perspective for them. Being in detention helps some youth realize their goals and hopes. Having someone in their corner helps motivate them to get out and start strong.
What went well?
Because it was my first year on the team, coming in and making connections with school staff was important. It’s helpful to support youth if we have some school staff who know us, and we can build a rapport. I’ve built and made connections with at least one staff member at all the schools that I can utilize to help support my youth when I’m not around.
How have you grown?
An area I’ve grown in is facilitating groups and public speaking. I helped facilitate two equity-focused intercessions. From the first event to the second, I feel like I improved, dramatically. Also, I did a small welcoming speech at the beginning of an equity series B2B co-hosted, which was a huge step for me.
Charles
What positive changes have you seen in the students you support?
I’ve seen youth grow in many different ways this year. I’ve seen youth work harder to bring their attendance up. I’ve seen youth commit to better themselves, in the community and school.
What inspired you?
The resiliency of youth inspires me to get up and do the work every day. After all of the hardships my youth have been through, they’re still trying to get their education and change their lives for the better.
What went well?
A lot of things went well this year. In my second year, I felt more confident in what I was doing and had more connections at all the schools. As a result, the transition process was much smoother this year. I also had a much better understanding of when to encourage youth and the right way to do it.
How have you grown?
I’ve grown in my understanding of my role in youth’s lives and how to maximize their participation in education. I’ve also grown all my connections in the schools and my understanding of the transition process to make it much smoother.
I’ve seen youth grow in many different ways this year. I’ve seen youth work harder to bring their attendance up. I’ve seen youth commit to better themselves, in the community and school.
What inspired you?
The resiliency of youth inspires me to get up and do the work every day. After all of the hardships my youth have been through, they’re still trying to get their education and change their lives for the better.
What went well?
A lot of things went well this year. In my second year, I felt more confident in what I was doing and had more connections at all the schools. As a result, the transition process was much smoother this year. I also had a much better understanding of when to encourage youth and the right way to do it.
How have you grown?
I’ve grown in my understanding of my role in youth’s lives and how to maximize their participation in education. I’ve also grown all my connections in the schools and my understanding of the transition process to make it much smoother.
Hannah
What positive changes have you seen in the students you support?
I've developed a greater understanding of how my role as an educational advocate is unique for every client. Some clients choose me to be more of a mentor role. I’ve learned not to I overextend my visits with students who will be incarcerated for long periods, because the youth I have who are out and struggling to stay in school in the Portland Metro area are the urgent matter at hand. I've also learned different strategies when working with the staff at Oregon Youth Authority facilities and how I can let them know things about my client that can best support their learning.
What inspired you?
My clients inspire me. What they have gone through, and will continue to go through in most cases, is something that takes great strength. I’m inspired to do everything in my power to believe in them and help them achieve their goals.
What went well?
A student on my caseload, A., graduated this year and intends to attend college. She’s a survivor. She pushed through housing insecurity, lack of family support, loss of friendships, and maintained passing and above-average grades. She’s her own self-advocate in regards to some of her instructors who she never felt she could ask for help. She asked her counselor for more support. This was instrumental in her success. In the fall and winter, there was a lot on A.'s plate and mental-health struggles. Creating a safe place with the counselor helped provide solace for A. I showed up every single time A. attempted to drop out or transfer schools. This was a group effort with the counselor. This critical partnership ensured A. remained seen and heard outside and inside of the school, which was crucial.
How have you grown?
Public speaking was a scary task for me and at the end of this year. Having practiced this skill, I feel much more confident and prepared to speak up more. The experience of leading the Building Bridge to Equity series and intercessions also gave me insight on the areas I want to grow in as a leader and in group discussions. The more I speak, the less daunting it will be. Additionally, speaking publicly about a cause and civic issue I feel passionately about makes this an even greater experience.
I've developed a greater understanding of how my role as an educational advocate is unique for every client. Some clients choose me to be more of a mentor role. I’ve learned not to I overextend my visits with students who will be incarcerated for long periods, because the youth I have who are out and struggling to stay in school in the Portland Metro area are the urgent matter at hand. I've also learned different strategies when working with the staff at Oregon Youth Authority facilities and how I can let them know things about my client that can best support their learning.
What inspired you?
My clients inspire me. What they have gone through, and will continue to go through in most cases, is something that takes great strength. I’m inspired to do everything in my power to believe in them and help them achieve their goals.
What went well?
A student on my caseload, A., graduated this year and intends to attend college. She’s a survivor. She pushed through housing insecurity, lack of family support, loss of friendships, and maintained passing and above-average grades. She’s her own self-advocate in regards to some of her instructors who she never felt she could ask for help. She asked her counselor for more support. This was instrumental in her success. In the fall and winter, there was a lot on A.'s plate and mental-health struggles. Creating a safe place with the counselor helped provide solace for A. I showed up every single time A. attempted to drop out or transfer schools. This was a group effort with the counselor. This critical partnership ensured A. remained seen and heard outside and inside of the school, which was crucial.
How have you grown?
Public speaking was a scary task for me and at the end of this year. Having practiced this skill, I feel much more confident and prepared to speak up more. The experience of leading the Building Bridge to Equity series and intercessions also gave me insight on the areas I want to grow in as a leader and in group discussions. The more I speak, the less daunting it will be. Additionally, speaking publicly about a cause and civic issue I feel passionately about makes this an even greater experience.
Micaella
What positive changes have you seen in the students you support?
For the students I support, I've seen positive attitude changes about their education. Typically, when I meet them, they resent school or had previous struggles with it, so to see them attend regularly and make improvements is really great.
What inspired you?
The youth we serve inspire me by taking their circumstances and improving themselves for the better. They take advantage of the available opportunities and make positive changes in their lives.
What went well?
The relationships I've built with my youth have gone really well. I've enjoyed getting to know the students I work with and learning from them. I look forward to another year with the students and continuing our work.
How have you grown?
I've grown in my ability to navigate the systems in which we work and have gained the confidence to do the job well.
For the students I support, I've seen positive attitude changes about their education. Typically, when I meet them, they resent school or had previous struggles with it, so to see them attend regularly and make improvements is really great.
What inspired you?
The youth we serve inspire me by taking their circumstances and improving themselves for the better. They take advantage of the available opportunities and make positive changes in their lives.
What went well?
The relationships I've built with my youth have gone really well. I've enjoyed getting to know the students I work with and learning from them. I look forward to another year with the students and continuing our work.
How have you grown?
I've grown in my ability to navigate the systems in which we work and have gained the confidence to do the job well.
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