Riverwood Students Attend Career Tech Leadership Conference

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- Earlier this year, Riverwood International Charter School ninth graders Tse Leccima and Thania Santana attended the Career Tech Intervention/Instruction (CTI) Fall Leadership Conference. The state-level conference, organized by the Georgia CTI program, took place at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel and Conference Center over two days in November.

The weekend featured workshops, speakers and an Academic Quiz Bowl. The Georgia CTI Program assists students with disabilities with their transition through high school to whatever their desired post-high school goal may be -- such as attending college, technical school or entering the workforce.

Attending with other fellow CTI students from across the state, Leccima and Santana learned about transitioning to life after high school. Workshop sessions covered topics such as career exploration, preparing for college or other post-secondary training, resume building, job interview skills, as well as an interactive presentation by the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.

Sandy Gosch, Riverwood’s CTI Coordinator, said, “These types of experiences early in high school can have a lasting impact on students like Tse and Thania; they were engaged in every activity. It is very rewarding to see students experience this and walk away with valuable information.”

CTI Coordinators provide intervention and supports when working with students in the CTAE labs and classrooms each week to facilitate positive post-secondary outcomes.

The students shared that the conference opened their eyes to the many resources available to them once they graduate from high school. A highlight of the event was meeting with Paula Policek, the Georgia Department of Education Program Coordinator of CTAE Special Populations. Policek has been instrumental in working with Georgia CTI to promote positive outcomes for students with disabilities.

“Facilitating the transition for students with disabilities from high school to positive post-high school placement is a critical priority and promoting the Georgia CTI Program’s ability to assist students land in the right place is a focus of mine,” Policek said.