Wildcat Industries serve with a smile
Enterprise High School has an excellent special needs program called Wildcat Industries, which is a work simulator that teaches their students job based academics.
“We create a real work force in a school environment. Our goal is to help our students get a job after high school,” teacher Taylor Hill said.
Every morning, special education students help stock the food and clean in the cafeteria.
The students enjoy working in Coffee Cats Cafe the most while in this program.
Coffee Cats Cafe is set up just like an actual coffee shop for teachers on Fridays in room A158.
It is entirely run by the students, who happily greet, take orders, and make coffee..
Each of them keep track of their number of completed tasks, like assembling the coffee cups, on an invoice.
However, that is only the tip of the iceberg of what Wildcat Industries does.
Before they could do any work, students started with an application and interview process.
Students were interviewed and hired by Principal Brent Harrison in order to mirror what getting a job will be like in the future.
They begin their work by clocking in, wearing their badge, and end by clocking out.
An imperative teaching focus is teamwork, which includes students completing their own job and learning how to humbly ask for help.
An employee of the month is rewarded and students earn “money.”
They are able to “purchase” items and learn how to save.
Two of the many Enterprise High School special education teachers who deserve some spotlight are Taylor Hill and Michele Sexson.
Michele Sexson said, “The best part of my day is when they tell us they are never going to be able to do it and seeing how proud they are of themselves when they finish doing it all on their own. I do this job because I absolutely love the kids. I cried four times today already from seeing their victory.”
Ms. Hill became a special education teacher because growing up she had a learning disability herself, dyslexia.
She was fascinated by teaching special education, wanted to change what she didn’t love about it, and help these students find purpose.
Items for the special education students’ reward store are mostly provided by the teachers and donations would be greatly appreciated.
You can support Wildcat Industries by donating new or gently used items that you think they may like (toys, stickers, notebooks, etc.) to room A158.