Skip to main content

Coconino High School

An IB World School

Transition from School to Work Program Home

Transition School to Work Program

At Coconino High School we are fortunate to be home to a Transition from School to Work (TSW) Program. The TSW program, funded jointly by the Flagstaff Unified School District and Rehabilitation Services Administration-Vocational Rehabilitation, is completely dedicated to assisting high school students with disabilities in their transition to adult life. Specific services the TSW program provides range from transition mentoring and career exploration, to assisting students with employment acquisition and maintenance, to assisting students with college and financial aid applications. The TSW program also completes transition assessment and develops transition plans for all students at CHS who have an IEP. (The following file provides a pamphlet you may print out with more information TSW Pamphlet)

TSW State Standards

Student-Led IEP

TSW Mentoring Program

Let's Get to Work

Why hire a student worker?

  • panther paw Meet the CHS Transition from School to Work program staff panther paw

     

    Sherry Swelnis

    Sherry Swelnis, M.Ed.

    Transitions Coordinator

    Coconino High School

    sswelnis@fusd1.org

     

    Hello, Panthers! My name is Sherry Swelnis and I am the coordinator for the CHS Transition from School to Work program. I have been serving students with exceptional needs at FUSD for nearly 20 years and I am pleased to have joined the CHS team in the fall of 2022. Every student has a right to self-determination in how they want to live their lives and my goal is to help them achieve whatever they decide. I look forward to supporting and learning from my students as they transition from high school to adulthood. 

    Daniela Webb

     

    Daniela Webb

    Transitions Mentor

    Coconino High School

    dwebb@fusd1.org

     

     

     

    Hola! My name is Daniela Webb. I joined the Transition from School to Work team in August ‘22. As a citizen of the world, I am here for diversity, inclusion and belonging. I am passionate about helping others attain a better quality of life. I have 15 years of experience working in the correctional and social services field. I have worked with both federal and state-funded programs. I have effectively managed cases that have been very delicate in nature due to mental health, legal involvement and substance abuse complexities. I have been recognized for my leadership and organizational skills, and I have had the opportunity to educate coworkers by developing, training, and presenting on cultural awareness. I am inspired by my parents' example, driven to be my best by my children and loved entirely by my husband. Also, I love, LOVE, music, cute animals and traveling. 

     

     

    Keith Lawrence

     

    Keith Lawrence

    Transitions Mentor

    Coconino High School

    klawrence@fusd1.org

     

    Hello, my name is Keith Lawrence and I am thrilled to be a part of the TSW team! I am originally from New Jersey but have lived in Arizona for the majority of my life. I am very passionate about experiential learning and building community. I believe through education and collaboration, everyone can achieve their tallest goals. When I am not in the classroom, you can find me outside hiking, climbing, or playing with my dog. I look forward to the great things that we can achieve through this program.

     

     Fabiana Stauffer

     

    Fabiana Stauffer

    Transitions Mentor

    Coconino High School

    fstauffer@fusd1.org

     

     

     

    Welcome Mrs. Fabiana!

     

    Eduardo Zepeda

     

    Eduardo Zepeda

    Transitions Mentor

    Coconino High School

    ezepeda@fusd1.org

     

    Hello everyone, my name is Eduardo Zepeda, and I am stoked to be part of the awesome TSW team we have here at Coconino High School.  I am originally from the great state of Washington, and I am fairly new here to Arizona. I am thrilled to explore more and continue to grow in the education system. Outside of work, I enjoy watching football, playing video games and being outdoors.  “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X

     

     

     

     

     Nicole Honanie

    Nicole Honanie

    Transitions Secretary & Mentor

    Coconino High School

    nhonanie@fusd1.org

     

    Loloma!  My name is Nicole Honanie and I am the newest member of the TSW team! I am a member of the Hopi Tribe and come from the village of Kykotsmovi. I am super excited to be here to help students find their path as they transition to adulthood. I have a diverse employment background which includes higher education, service industry and government entities, just to name a few.  I have earned 2 Associate degrees from Coconino Community College, a bachelors degree and a certificate from Northern Arizona University. I enjoy working with students, helping them set goals and watching them accomplish them one by one. 

     

    Nicole Honanie

    Candy Kasprzyk M.A., CRC

    VR Counselor

    Rehabilitation Services Administration

    ckasprzyk@azdes.gov

     

    Hello! My name is Candy Kasprzyk and I am happy to partner with the fabulous CHS Transition Program! I was born and raised in central Florida and landed in Flagstaff in 1998 while traveling across the US in a green VW bus with my now partner. I instantly fell in love with the landscape, feel and culture of this mountain town, and have called Flagstaff home ever since. I have worked in both public and private vocational rehabilitation serving students for the past 16 years and am honored to continue this journey alongside my fellow CHS team members. I believe small, consistent steps in the right direction each and every day can make our personal lives more enriching, our goals more attainable, and the world a better place for everyone! While not working, I love spending time with my partner, my dog and wandering our beautiful forests.

     

    Michelle Kissinger

    Michelle Kissinger, M.A.
    VR Counselor

    AZ Dept. of Economic Security Vocational Rehabilitation 

    Office: 928 779 4147

    Mobile: 928 225 4037 

    Greetings! My name is Michelle Kissinger, and I am a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, working with the Transition-School-to-Work (TSW) population. I look forward to continued partnership with the high schools and TSW staff, in assisting our students most beneficially transition into continued education and employment.  Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, music, social events, culture and food, and hanging out with friends and family. I also love spoiling my fur-babies.

     

     

     

    2801 N. Izabel
    928-773-8200 Ext. 6420
    Room 301

  • Job Club

    Looking for a fun, supportive space to build real-world skills and connect with others? The CHS Job Club is your next step!

    🤝 Socialize and Connect

    Make new friends, build teamwork skills, and grow your network. You can even design the homecoming float!

    🎤 Meet Inspiring Guest Speakers 

    Hear from professionals and get great advice that can guide your career path.

    ✅ Gain Work Readiness Skills

    From resumes to interviews, we’ll help you prepare for the job world with confidence.

    💪 Give Back

    Join our community service projects and fundraisers that make a real impact.


    🎯 Be Prepared. Be Empowered. Be You.

    Whether you are just starting to think about your future or already planning your path, Job Club is the place to grow. Come join the movement — your future self will thank you!

    📅 Sign up for meeting times and announcements at the CHS TSW and Job Club page in Canvas.
    📍 TSW - Room 301

  • The CoCo Hut

    Where the Panther goes to Accessorize! 

    For FREE! 

    the Coco Hut

     

    Swing by The CoCo Hut – where CHS students run the show!
    We gladly accept donations of clothes, accessories, and shoes all year round. Everything is free and open to anyone in our school community! While giving old styles new life, students gain real-world retail experience, build confidence, and sharpen their social skills. It's fashion with a purpose!

     

    The CoCo Hut Pop-up shop pops up twice a year in the South Commons. Check out the student announcements page in Canvas for dates and times.

     

    Need something right away? Stop by TSW - room 301 during school hours and connect with a personal shopper who will escort you to your individualized shopping experience. 

     

    Questions? Call 

    (928) 773-8200 X6420. 

     

    DONATIONS

    Donations are gratefully accepted at the door near the loading dock in the back of the school, or in TSW - room 301.  

  • The Panther Print Shop & Shredding Services provides an opportunity for students to learn basic office skills. Students who work for the Panther Print Shop & Shredding Services assist the CHS and FUSD community with their printing and shredding needs. Students are trained to independently review and prioritize Print Shop orders, operate the copy machine and the shredding machine, perform quality checks of their work and deliver completed jobs in a timely manner. Through their experience, students attain valuable organization, time management, and customer service skills, which can be applied in various office settings.

  • Students in the TSW program learn basic job readiness skills through the Panther Teacher Assistance program. Through this program, students perform a variety of tasks on the CHS campus including collecting, sorting, and delivering mail to the school and its faculty, cleaning and wiping down desks in classrooms and tables in the cafeteria, and assisting in the school office, the school cafeteria kitchen, or with the school custodians.

  • CHS TSW Program

    Supported Student Worksites

    CHS picture

    On Campus

    The CoCo Hut

    Panther Print Shop & Shredding Services

    Panther Teacher Assistance Program & Mail Delivery Program

    Panther Recycling

     

    Flagstaff picture

    Off Campus

    Continental Worksite

    Garden Thrift Store

    Little America

    US Geological Survey Step-Up Program

    Hal Jensen Recreation Center

    Flagstaff Family Food Center

    Over the Rainbow Home Office

    Northern Arizona Equine Therapy, Inc. 

  • **We do not endorse the following websites or resources, nor are they meant to be an exhaustive list; they are simply for use as reference points when planning transition services.** 

    State Agency Websites

    (The main page contains links at the bottom for students, parents and professionals, in addition to links for additional resources and events)

    (The Center for Disability Law is a non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protection and advocacy for individuals with disabilities)

    (A state agency that can provide resources/services to people with Mental Illness)

    (A state agency that can provide resources/services to people with Developmental Disabilities)

    (Training and information provided to parents, children, and young people with special health care needs, as well as the professionals who serve them)

    (A state agency that can provide services to individuals with disabilities to help them achieve gainful employment)

    (Assists people with disabilities to secure and maintain long term, meaningful employment.

    Candy Kazpryk, 2323 N. Walgreens St. Suite 104, Flagstaff, AZ 86004  (928)774-4147)

     

    Disability & Transition Recources

    (This manual contains information for individuals with disabilities and their family members about various legal options, including Transfer of Rights. It is in pdf format and there are English and Spanish versions)

    (Whether you are a career seeker starting a job search or an employer looking for quality employees, the Career Center offers programs connecting you to the workforce)

    (An organization dedicated to improving outcomes for students and youth with disabilities by joining state agencies and stakeholders through shared work and learning)

    (A source for information about employment and youth with disabilities. Making the connection between Youth with Disabilities and Employment) 

    (HCIC offers northern Arizona AHCCCS members with serious mental illness enhanced access to integrated behavioral and acute providers, dedicated coordination of care, and improved quality outcomes)

    (Provides, develops and manages behavioral health care for Northern Arizona)

     (A dissemination center that provides information on disabilities in children and youth, programs and services for infants, children and youth with disabilities, IDEA, No Child Left Behind and research-based information on effective practices for children with disabilities)

    (This is a link to a document called, “Transition of Students with Disabilities to Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educators”. It highlights the differences that students with disabilities can expect between high school and college - i.e., IDEA vs. ADA)

     

    (U.S. Department of Labor website that provides information on key attributes and characteristics of workers and occupations. Select the skills you have or will learn, click for list of occupations matching your skills)

    (A not-for-profit corporation, Quality Connections provides support and employment services to individuals with disabilities in order to increase independence and participation in their community)

    (A non-profit organization dedicated to improving educational and employment outcomes for people with disabilities)

    (Provides online information, support and professional development on topics related to transition from school to adult life for youth with disabilities)

     

    Assessment Resources

    (This program is designed to help students learn more about themselves and the world of work, identify and explore potentially satisfying occupations and develop an effective strategy to realize their goals)

    (Provides educational, career, and occupational information to help all students in making better-informed career and school choices. Free to Arizona Residents. To request a user name and password, call 602-542-5352)

    (A link to a Toolkit developed by the Colorado Department of Education that provides information and tools necessary in creating a comprehensive and individualized transition process. Modules in the Toolkit include Transition Planning Basics, various assessments, IEP development using the collected information, tools for students, teachers/transition team and parents)

    (This website provides resources and tools to assist in identifying the interests, preferences, strengths and needs of students with IEPs so students will be better prepared for employment, further education and independent living)

    (Online resource for FREE online practice tests, including ASVAB, SAT, PSAT, ACT, etc.)

    (The SIS evaluates practical support requirements of a person with an intellectual disability through a positive and thorough interview process)

    (A matrix that lists sampling of different assessments that can be used when planning transition services. The matrix includes the name of the assessment, which area of transition planning it pertains to (i.e., employment, education/training, independent living/community participation), what age group or grade level the assessment is appropriate for, whether it is a web-based assessment and the publisher’s contact information)

    (This center facilitates successful secondary and postsecondary educational, vocational and personal outcomes for students and adults with disabilities)

    Link to AIR Self-Determination Assessment)

     

    Assistive Technology

    (Funded by the US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, AZTAP is dedicated to increasing the availability and use of assistive technology devices for all individuals with disabilities in Arizona)

     

    Employment Assistance

    (U.S. Department of Labor website that provides information on careers (i.e., skills necessary, videos, etc.). Have your skills matched to occupations, or check skills required for an occupation