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)
Meet the CHS Transition from School to Work program staff
Sherry Swelnis, M.Ed. Transitions Coordinator Coconino High School
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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 Transitions Mentor Coconino High School
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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.
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Keith Lawrence Transitions Mentor Coconino High School
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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 Transitions Mentor Coconino High School
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Welcome Mrs. Fabiana!
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Eduardo Zepeda Transitions Mentor Coconino High School
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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
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Nicole Honanie Transitions Secretary & Mentor Coconino High School
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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.
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Candy Kasprzyk M.A., CRC VR Counselor Rehabilitation Services Administration
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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.
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Michelle Kissinger, M.A. 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.
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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!
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
On Campus
The CoCo Hut
Panther Print Shop & Shredding Services
Panther Teacher Assistance Program & Mail Delivery Program
Panther Recycling
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.**
(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)
(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)
(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)
(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)
(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