Position: Special Education Transition Specialist
School: Hanford High School
School District: Richland School District
City, State: Richland, WA
Music that Describes Laurie
Laurie Price was nominated by her assistant principal, Denise Reddinger.
"Laurie Price is the very essence of a LifeChanger. When we consider our students who are more impacted by a physical and/or cognitive disability in a life skills program, we may wonder what their life will be like after they leave the public school system. Laurie Price is doing all she can to ensure our students live their best lives. Laurie has developed a system of educating our students by preparing them with employability knowledge and skills. When our students are prepared, she assists them with finding work-based learning opportunities in our community," said Reddinger.
"Over several years, Laurie has performed community outreach to develop a network of employers who employ our life skills students. Through collaboration with supervisors and teachers, Laurie helps students and employers understand each other's strengths and needs and matches them up in a positive partnership. This allows the student to transition from a school setting to a work setting," said Reddinger.
"In 2016, Laurie crafted her vision for an adult transition center for students 18-21 years of age into a proposal, sharing it with the (now retired) superintendent. That center opened in January 2022 with Laurie's commitment to providing a work-like center where students with disabilities would continue to learn employability skills and go to worksites independently," said Reddinger.
"Laurie works with community-based organizations, as well. As the Key Club advisor for ten years, she partnered with the Kiwanis Club to lead students on various service projects," said Reddinger. "Because of the program Laurie has built over the past 16 years, she serves on boards and committees, trains others in transitional work, and is a mentor to many educators and employers!"
"Through Laurie's efforts, over 150 students are employed in our community. Through Laurie's mentorship, training efforts, and sharing her scalable, sustainable program across the state, countless others' lives are also positively changed. Without Laurie's commitment to this special population, these adults may not have received the training, support, and opportunities to become employable. By changing the lives of our students, Laurie also changed the lives of their parents and other caretakers. Laurie is the very essence of a LifeChanger," said Reddinger.