The Nevada Department on Career Development and Transitions (DCDT) awarded Churchill County High School Teacher Sara McGowan its First Annual Leadership and Service Award. This designation is given to people who have made outstanding contributions to secondary education transition services for students with disabilities.
McGowan has been the Special Education Transitions Coordinator for Churchill County School District for over ten years. She has also been the Rural Transition Coordinator. “I bring the rural coordinators, like myself, together to share ideas, knowledge, and experience. We collaborate and work together to improve our district programs across the state,” said McGowan.
In her presentation, McGowan discussed which transition programs are working, the barriers schools face in implementation and funding, and how she has found ways to converge teams to overcome them. One of the key takeaways of McGowan's presentation is the importance of micro-enterprises and how they allow students to gain soft skills and work experience while learning many aspects of running a business. “The key is that your classroom has to be run like a business. Teachers are supervisors and students are employees. The gains they have in communication and customer service are extensive, and with support, all levels of students can work and be successful. You just have to find what works for each kid,” said McGowan.
Sara was recognized for listening, learning, coaching, and caring about students with disabilities. Her favorite thing about her role with ChurchillCSD is helping kids gain employability skills that will last them a lifetime. “I love seeing kids years after graduating and having them tell me how some of the things I taught them helped them land a job and how it led to other good things in life. That's the reward that truly makes your heart sing,” said McGowan.
The Nevada DCDT Committee, the Nevada Office of Inclusive Education, and the University of Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities hosted the DCDT conference. McGowan was a key player in bringing the DCDT conference to Northern Nevada. ChurchillCSD had nine staff members in attendance to help honor McGowan Thursday evening at the 2023 DCDT International Conference in Reno.
Churchill County School District, the Office of Inclusive Services, and Churchill County High School are proud to have McGowan as their Special Education Transitions Coordinator. “We are so proud of her. She works tirelessly, encouraging students to maximize their potential to become independent members of their community and society. We could not be more proud of her and what she has accomplished for her students, our district, and our community,” said Kathryn Bervin-Mueller, Director of Learning and Innovation.
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