Welcome to the Illinois Transitions Blog

This blog provides a platform for resources to be shared and discussions to be engaged in by anyone providing transitioning services. The content of the blog is especially applicable to those involved in the Illinois Transitions Academy.

The Transitions Academy is designed to assist colleges and partnerships working on developing Bridge and ICAPS (Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System) programs by increasing awareness of the expanding partnership between Adult Education and Career and Technical Education as it relates to the ICAPS model, Accelerating Opportunity, Illinois Bridge programs, and Illinois Programs of Study. The Transitions Academy is designed to assist colleges and partnerships working on developing Bridge and ICAPS (Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System) programs.



Monday, September 16, 2019

First Bridge Master in the state of Illinois!

 The Southern Illinois Professional Development Center would like to introduce you to the first Bridge Master in the state of Illinois. Lauren Zajac from Moraine Valley recently completed the requirements for her second certificate in the Transitions Instructional Pathway. Please join us in congratulating Lauren for her accomplishment!

If you would like to earn a certificate in the Transitions Instructional Pathway, go to the PD Portal for more information. Lauren has provided some instructional advice in the comments below. If you have a question/comment for Lauren, please add a comment at the bottom.
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2 comments:

  1. LaurenSeptember 17, 2019 at 9:37 AM

    Thank you so much for the mention! I found the Bridge Master training to be very beneficial, especially as all of the Adult Education programs in the state work to create new ICAPS programming.

    Before teaching a bridge class, I remember being nervous about incorporating the materials within the classroom and unsure of how to best help students transition into career pathways. However, I have found a few tips along the way to help:
    1. Know what your students want to do next and help them plan how to reach those goals. What departmental resources are helpful to them? What campus resources might help?
    2. Contextualize classroom materials to meet the needs of the students in the pathway that they choose. If you have a large number of students interested in healthcare, create activities within the classroom to meet the students' needs/interests.
    3. Take a field trip! Show students the various departments on campus and introduce them to the instructors.
    4. Do the legwork! Bridge classes often make teachers students again, as we may be teaching classes in areas outside of our areas of expertise. If possible, attend classes and learn what the students are learning.
    5. Most importantly - have fun with it, and show students the benefits of bridge programming. Provide job stats, outlooks, salaries, etc., so the students know the benefits of entering the career.

    I'd love to hear from other instructors about how you approach Bridge courses in your programs!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Colleen PotterSeptember 17, 2019 at 2:51 PM

    Thanks for the great advice Lauren!

    ReplyDelete

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