ISD Special Education Students Take Part in First Annual Job Olympics

Special education students from the Independence, Grain Valley and Fort Osage school districts put their skills to the test during the first-ever Job Olympics in Grain Valley. William Chrisman took home the traveling trophy, but organizers said every student was a winner because of the valuable life-skills learned through the competition.

“The Job Olympics provided an excellent experience for students who often have limited access to jobs within our community,” said Lisa Warner, ISD transition coordinator.

Students had a chance to participate in more than 20 job related competitions- everything from bagging groceries to food preparation. For eight weeks, students trained for the job skills portion of the competition and trained for job interview and professional appearance events. Judges from the business community, school districts and outside agencies evaluated students on pre-established standards and points were given to each participant.

“Everything was geared toward entry level job skills for employment within the community,” Warner said. “Our ultimate goal was to provide awareness within the local business community of the skill-sets our future graduates would be able to offer when employed.”

She said the Job Olympics illustrated first-hand the district’s special education motto- We have ability. The difference is how we use it!