Tara is a Special Education teacher in the Syracuse City School District and the leader of a school-to-work program that helps students with disabilities build life skills and gain valuable job experience. One of the program’s key job sites is the Southwest YMCA branch at Onondaga Community College (OCC). In her own words, Tara shares how being part of the Y community has made a lasting difference for her students:
“I’ve been a Special Education teacher for 25 years. I started at Henninger High School, spent 11 years at Nottingham High School, and for the past three years, I’ve been based at OCC. Our program helps students gain job skills in real-world environments—something that’s essential for them to succeed after high school. After all, how do you get experience without a job, and how do you get a job without experience?
I run the program to feel more like a workplace than a classroom. Students are expected to ‘call in’ if they’re going to be absent—just like they would at a real job. They learn responsibility, time management, and how to conduct themselves in a professional setting.
My students work across the OCC campus, including at the SRC Arena and the Southwest YMCA, doing custodial tasks or helping in the cafeteria through American Food and Vending. For example, Zion helps change out trash bins and separates recyclables from returnables. I taught him to look for the ‘NY’ label to tell the difference. These tasks build not just job readiness, but also social skills—like greeting people properly and showing politeness, which they’ll need for future job interviews.
We connected with Abdul, the Membership Director at the Southwest Y, to expand job site options for our students. The YMCA has become a big part of our program—not just as a work site, but also as a space for physical wellness. Students work Monday through Thursday and participate in ‘Fitness Fridays’ at the Y for their PE credit. They use the treadmill, shoot hoops, or walk the track. We even incorporate a cleaning checklist at each job site, teaching them both practical skills and vocabulary like what a dumbbell or kettlebell is.
I also focus on helping them navigate social scenarios. For instance, they learn not to clean equipment while a member is using it. We talk a lot about awareness, communication, and respecting personal space—all things that aren’t always intuitive but are vital for success.
One of my students now works in Child Watch at the Y. Seeing our students graduate, find jobs, and gain independence is incredibly rewarding—for them and for me.
Our program also teaches real-world life skills like budgeting. The district provides lunch funds, and students learn to track spending using calculators and a checkbook-style ledger. They also keep logs of their work hours and participate in current events discussions to stay informed. These are everyday skills many take for granted, but they’re foundational for our students’ independence.
Transportation is another focus. Most students take the bus, so I teach them how to find their routes and get to OCC and back. The district provides bus cards, and some qualify for reduced Centro fares, helping them access jobs and opportunities outside of school.
Since coming to the Y, we’ve felt welcomed and supported. Members often approach me to say how much they admire the students and the program. It means so much to hear that our efforts are recognized and appreciated.”
Tara’s program is not just about gaining work experience—it’s about creating independence, confidence, and community for students with disabilities. We’re proud to be a part of their journey and excited to see how the program continues to thrive at the YMCA of Central New York.