By Kelli Mayhew, Grand Island Public Schools

Even when he’s not reading a book or reviewing material, Aaron Andersen studies.

“I would be running the floor scrubber in the cafeteria, and Aaron used to watch me every day and just study how I was doing things,” said Roger Fisher, custodian at Starr Elementary.

After days of studying how Roger used the floor scrubber, Aaron mustered the confidence to run the machine himself while at his job rotation during the 2023-2024 school year. Since he had intently studied Roger’s cleaning process, Aaron hardly needed any instructions.

“Aaron's a very intelligent young man,” Fisher voiced. “He just needs an opportunity.”

Aaron, who was a student at the Grand Island Public Schools Workforce Prep Academy and a former Project SEARCH intern, grew exponentially in his job and life skills because of his experiences in these programs. Now, after graduating from Project SEARCH in May and receiving his diploma, he has accomplished the goal: employment.

Workforce Prep Academy is a specialized program at GIPS focused on helping special education students develop workforce readiness skills and prepare them to transition from their education to their career. 

Project SEARCH is a one-year school-to-work program for students with disabilities that takes place at CHI Health St. Francis. Project SEARCH interns complete job rotations throughout the year to gain a variety of job experiences. The program partners with many organizations and employers in town, including Grand Island Public Schools, Vocational Rehab, and CHI Health St. Francis hospital.

A Valued Member of the Starr Elementary Team

Aaron's initial experience with the Workforce Prep Academy program placed him with the custodial team at Starr Elementary School. From the outset, Aaron impressed head custodian Roger Fisher and his team with his dedication and willingness to learn. 

"He's become a part of the team, a valued part of the team, “ Fisher said. “He's become a part of the Starr Stallion family."

During his time at Starr, Aaron's responsibilities expanded rapidly. He mastered essential cleaning tasks, including maintaining more than 50 toilets daily during summer vacation, sweeping and mopping hallways and the cafeteria, and operating machinery like the floor scrubber and extractors. 

Aaron’s favorite part about his experience at Starr? Helping others.

“I loved helping out others, learning new things, and making new friends,” Aaron said. “I enjoyed being at Starr.” 

Roger, who has become an influential mentor for Aaron, noted Aaron's "dogged determination." He recalled how Aaron would observe him completing tasks, such as operating the floor scrubber, before taking over the task himself.

(Photo Courtesy of Grand Island Public Schools)

Beyond technical skills, Aaron developed crucial soft skills. He became a mentor to kindergarteners, helping them find their seats in the cafeteria and monitoring their behavior. This demonstrated his growing confidence and natural ability to connect with others. 

Aaron said Roger’s mentorship was instrumental. 

“There were many times where I was so tired coming to work, but he made coming to work worth it,” Aaron said. “I loved hanging out with him and learning from him. He always made the point to include me and make me part of the school and team,” Aaron added of Roger.

The Workforce Prep Academy allowed Aaron to step outside his comfort zone with the job rotation at Starr, which led to his bond with Roger. In the classroom at Workforce Prep, Aaron continued learning about life skills such as filling out job applications, career exploration, resumes, and learning to work on a team.

Lori Watts, coordinator at Workforce Prep Academy, said Aaron’s positive attitude contributed to his success.

“He always came to school with a smile on his face and was ready to learn. He has such a positive attitude!,” Watts shared. “Aaron is a hard worker and is always eager to learn new job skills.”

Aaron’s willingness to learn paired with his determination to succeed, led to more growth and improvement.

Building Confidence and Embracing Challenges

Aaron's growth wasn't without its challenges. Initially at his Starr Elementary job rotation, he showed some hesitation and fear with tasks involving heights. But his commitment led him to proactively practice using ladders until he overcame his fear. 

"That’s a great skill to learn, to step outside of your comfort zone,” noted Marcia Ewolt, Aaron’s job coach at Workforce Prep Academy. “That’s something that not a lot of people do.”

This drive to step outside his comfort zone is a testament to Aaron’s character and potential.

“He hungers for improvement," Fisher added. “He is always eager to challenge himself. If there was something that Aaron had a hard time with, he wouldn’t stop until he had it mastered.”

The bond between Aaron and Roger deepened throughout Aaron’s time in the Workforce Prep program, evolving into a strong friendship that still stands today. 

Roger provided consistent mentorship, helping Aaron with resume building and mock interviews, while Aaron's positive attitude and sense of humor became a cherished part of the team dynamic.

Next Steps: Project SEARCH and Future Employment

Aaron's success at Starr Elementary prepared him for the next step: the Project SEARCH program. This intensive, workplace-based training program housed at CHI Health St. Francis, provides individuals with disabilities real-life work experience and employability skills.

Aaron's participation in Project SEARCH is significant, as interns must qualify and apply for the program. Project SEARCH continued the accomplishments of Workforce Prep Academy, setting Aaron further on a path toward employment. 

In the Project SEARCH program, Aaron was exposed to even more job opportunities, working in different departments at CHI Health St. Francis hospital. The program staff provided more coaching to fine tune his job skills even more. He learned to market himself as a potential employee, as he presented his skills to local business representatives at the Project SEARCH reverse job fair. The end goal of the Project SEARCH program is to have all interns employed and confident.

While in the program, Aaron’s love for learning only grew.

“Aaron was like a sponge,” shared Michella Honas, Project SEARCH program coordinator. “He soaked up everything that was taught to him. He was a rare young man that wanted to excel in all areas of life,” she continued, “His mannerisms & work ethics were exceptional. It is very difficult to find those qualities in young individuals in today's job market.”

Aaron’s experiences in Grand Island Public Schools helped him succeed to where he is today, but he is the one who made it happen. His ‘dogged determination’ and work ethic make him unstoppable. 

So, did Aaron achieve his goal of employment? Of course he did. 

“He is now successfully employed as a dishwasher at B&B Theatres,” shared Honas.

Aaron’s determination didn’t let up, and we know he will continue to learn and grow both in his career and in life.

“He taught me that everybody deserves a chance,” Roger shared. “And he also taught me there are still some good people left in the world. Aaron is one of the most giving and kind-hearted people I've ever met…My life is better for having met Aaron.”

Aaron’s story is just one of many. It is a powerful example of how collaborative efforts of GIPS and programs like Workforce Prep Academy and Project SEARCH, paired with dedicated and caring mentors, can make an impact in the lives of students. Because of these efforts, Aaron and many others are confident, skillful, and prepared for the future.