TYLER, Texas — Tyler ISD and CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances honored its Project SEARCH Program 2024 graduates this week.
On Tuesday, the school district held a special ceremony at Wisenbaker Conference Center to celebrate the students. The program educates Tyler ISD students with disabilities on important skills in the workforce by interning at Christus.
The graduates included Gerald Johnson, Kevon Moore, Erick Montoya, Austin Burris, Abbey Grage, Laura Noyola-Aguirre, Jefferson Ylarde, Amanda Martinez and Jaden Cole.
Noyola-Aguirre said she is thankful for Project SEARCH and she has full-time employment at UT Health.
Special education teacher DJ Warren said the program benefits not only the students, but the community as well.
"It expands far and wide and impacts our community as a whole, and especially the workers who get to work with them here on campus," Warren said. "They get the opportunity to not only see these guys have great skills, but also to see them grow and flourish and learn that people with disabilities have an immense value to our community."
Out of the 83 Project SEARCH interns, 74 of them are currently working, Tyler ISD Student Support Coordinator Abby Dominy said. The 2024 group is the ninth class of the program at Christus.
"Successful Student Outcomes come in so many different ways in Tyler ISD," Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said. “It’s not just one test on one day. Project SEARCH exemplifies that theory of action, preparing students for success in the workforce and empowering them to pursue their dreams with confidence.”
Project SEARCH is a collaborative effort with Christus, Tyler ISD, Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services, the Andrews Center, and Winning Edge Employment Services.