UISD’s Cherish Center Prepares Students for Jobs with Business Media Skills
For the past 13 years, Business Media Teacher Sanjuanita Avalos has enjoyed helping students learn job skills that build confidence and discipline. She has been teaching the Business Media class at the UISD Cherish Center since the school opened in 2011.
“I love the population that I work with,” Says Avalos. “They are super motivated, happy all the time, ready and willing to work. They thrive here at the Cherish with their peers. They love it, and we love it too.”
She teaches four special education business classes a day, and she has loved every minute of it because the students are very eager to learn all the hands-on activities.
“They are all special needs students, but we work with their abilities, not their disabilities,” says Avalos. “We teach our students how to work in an office/clerical environment, so they learn how to file, sort, answer the phone, and use all the machines we have here in the classroom like the copier, laminator, and the shredder. They also make items to sell, such as cards, brochures, note pads, and awards for the schools and the community.”
All money raised is put back into Cherish Center programs for kids. It is used to purchase more items, such as supplies, and some of it is used to provide the students with special holiday events and parties. They benefit from the work they do, and they learn skills to help them find future employment.
“My students learn a lot of skills here like cutting, measuring, gluing, counting, anything necessary to make the finished products,” she adds. “Every student has their individual educational plan or IEP, but we rotate the students, so they learn different skills. We see where they are at, and if we feel they can do more, we add more.”
Gilbert Ethan Lopez, Cherish Business Media student, is an expert at making note pads. He is meticulous at his job and explains his craft in detail, such as how he uses a tool to apply just the right amount of glue to the note papers with a brush. It’s evident that he enjoys working at Cherish.
“My first year, it was very scary because it was my first time doing the job sites,” he explains. “But once I got used to it, I thought this is pretty cool. I can work very hard, earn some money and take responsibility, be patient, listen to instructions and then yeah, I got this.”
Justin Gonzalez, Cherish Business Media student, is good at filing and shredding. He has a positive attitude about his work. He is confident in his abilities to keep the work organized. He enjoys being productive.
“I like this class a lot, a lot,” he says. He finds his duties interesting. “So far, so good.”
Joseph Lopez is the Cherish Center Special Education Director. He explains why the school is such a wonderful place for the 99 students currently enrolled.
“We are doing everything we can so once they finish with us, they have an actual job in the community at the end of their four years at Cherish.”
All of the Cherish Center students first attend one of the UISD four high schools.
Vocational coordinators at each school follow the students’ progress in vocational training. The Texas Workforce Commission also provides assistance with job training and experience. After qualifying to enter the Cherish Center, the students can stay for another four years of schooling at UISD or until age 21 or 22, depending on their birth month.
Lopez says 17 students from Cherish will graduate this year with 26 new students arriving at Cherish next school year, for a total of 108 students expected next year. Lopez explains that the Cherish Center operates like a college for special education students. It’s a special school with special students.
“These classes mean a lot to the students,” Lopez says. “It’s where they learn valuable life skills that will help them become successful and productive citizens. We offer a lot of vocational training, and this class is definitely a favorite with the students.”
If anyone is interested in ordering products from the Cherish Center Business Media students, The teacher, Ms. Avalos, says they are standing by to take orders.
“They can email me at sjavalos@uisd.net, and we can take their order, or they can call the Cherish Center at 956.473.1770.”
The Director says they offer good services for good prices. “We can do it a lot cheaper, we can do it professionally, our kids get experience and they get a great product.”
Gilbert Ethan Lopez, Cherish Business Media student, explains how he makes notepads to perfection. He is also an artist and loves to draw.
Joseph Lopez is the Cherish Center Special Education Director
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