RADIANT
TREASURES PROGRAM
I
by Steve Gamel | photos courtesy of Jennifer Shaw
t’s a typical Thursday afternoon, and Jennifer Shaw is glancing around her special education classroom as a full-fledged business operation powers seamlessly through another fun workday. In one section of the room, students are busy cutting up crafts for custom-made accessories and fashionable t-shirts that they’ll eventually deliver to paying customers at the school. A few feet away, another student is working on the financials, including counting change and writing receipts. To say this isn’t your everyday life skills class would be an understatement of epic proportions. “It’s a true business, and each employee has an important part,” said Shaw, a teacher at The Colony. “I have visions and dreams of what I’d like this to be eventually. But right now, we’re just doing a little bit at a time. It’s growing every year.”
The “it” Shaw is referring to is her Radiant Treasures program, which is currently centered around making the Pinterest dreams of customers come true with custom t-shirt orders and unique crafts like lanyards, bath bombs, wreaths, and more. The entire production — from product development to advertising, finances, and logistics — is run by her TCHS Life Skills students. Rather than take a basic life skills course, these vibrant and creative special needs students receive hands-on training in critical skills that will prepare them for life outside of high school. Jennifer has operated the program for the past five years. She started by teaching basic skills such as laundry, hygiene, cooking, money skills, etc. but noticed there was a gap when it came to helping these students prepare for the workforce once they graduate. Running their own business within the walls of the school was the best way to teach those skills. “I wanted them to have an opportunity to learn basic job skills in a safe environment with me before they get out 24 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | APRIL 2021
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