August 16, 2023
Ashley Bell
DeQueen Mena, Southwest Coops and part of Dawson Coop
What did you do before this job?�I was on the monitoring team at DESE-OSE. Before that, I worked �for the 3D Program at UAPTC, and before that, I worked at �Gurdon High School as a secondary ELA teacher.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Working as a personal Uber driver for my 13-year-old son. �It doesn’t pay well.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in �something, what would it be?
Playing the guitar.
What was your favorite job you’ve ever had and why?
This one! Because I get to meet and greet teachers and work with a great team.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Reliable, creative, understanding.
Do you still live near where you grew up?
Within an hour.
If you could only eat one dish for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Peas and cornbread.
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
Ireland.
What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?
A fool-proof organizational and reminder system.
Why do you believe secondary transition planning is so important?
Each person in our society deserves the right to share their gifts with the world. Guiding students to develop the skills to identify strengths, to anticipate barriers, to select the tools needed to navigate the barriers, and to generalize those skills in all situations creates a stronger, more inclusive society, benefitting ALL people and strengthening our communities.
Jeremy Hogue
Wilbur Mills Coop, Pulaski County and part of Great Rivers Coop
What did you do before this job?�I worked for a school district in Little Rock for 6 years as a �Life Skills teacher and an assistant baseball coach.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my family doing mainly outdoor �activities such as camping, kayaking, and hiking.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in �something, what would it be?
Classic vehicle restoration.
What was your favorite job you’ve ever had and why?
So far, my job as a Life aSkills teacher has been my favorite. I anticipate working at ATS will be my new favorite.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Funny, compassionate, dedicated.
Do you still live near where you grew up?
I do - in the Little Rock area.
If you could only eat one dish for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I could live off of pizza!
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
I would like to visit Puerto Rico.
What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?
My presentation skills. I want to be able to present information in ways that are interesting, meaningful and fun!
Why do you believe secondary transition planning is so important?
Secondary transition planning is so important because it sets the trajectory for a student's life. With the planning and implementation of individualized transition plans, students identify strengths, needs, and interests, and receive training and instruction in the areas that will help them go on and achieve the best possible outcomes. In addition, through the transition planning process, students and families are connected with the agencies that will provide services after graduation. The importance of secondary transition planning cannot be overstated.
Jennifer Miller
Crowley’s Ridge, Northeast Coops and part of North Central Coop
What did you do before this job?�I worked for Arkansas Medicaid in the Schools. Prior to that, I was �a Special Education teacher where I taught high school transition �classes and developed the work-based learning program for �the district.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Traveling, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in �something, what would it be?
Crohn’s disease. My daughter battles daily and I wish I knew how to make her better.
What was your favorite job you’ve ever had and why?
My very first job waitressing at Pizza Hut. We had the best crew and it was so fun!
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Optimistic, Patient, and Funny.
Do you still live near where you grew up?
I grew up in Corning which is about an hour north of where I currently reside in Jonesboro. So, I am not too far away.
If you could only eat one dish for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pizza. It can have different toppings each time!
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
In the U.S.- Wyoming to see Yellowstone and the Rocky Mountains.
International- Ireland.
What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?
Learning Excel. I have never had to use it much so it is something I would like to know fluently.
Why do you believe secondary transition planning is so important?
Every student deserves the opportunity to be a successful, productive citizen of the community no matter what abilities they have or career choice they decide to make after high school. Students and families need to know about resources, programs, services, and benefits available to help meet individual goals. Navigating this path from high school to adulthood can be scary. Having a plan in place prior to graduation will make the transition process smoother ultimately leading to positive outcomes.
Paul Johnston
Northwest, OUR Coops and part of Guy Fenter Coop
What did you do before this job?�Taught some college, did some corporate training, and �was a public school music teacher.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Tinkering with Jeeps, performing music, and spending time �with my new granddaughter.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in �something, what would it be?
Mechanics
What was your favorite job you’ve ever had and why?
This one. Getting to work with such a great bunch of teachers to improve post school outcomes for students with disabilities!
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Fun, loyal, always ready to help.
Do you still live near where you grew up?
Nowhere near.
If you could only eat one dish for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pizza.
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
Scotland, hopefully spring of 2025.
What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?
Improving video skills.
Why do you believe secondary transition planning is so important?
It is important for all students to help them be successful and live full lives after high school.
Karen Randolph
Southeast, South Central, Arkansas River Coops and part of Great Rivers Coop
What did you do before this job?�Educational Consultant at Pearson Digital Learning.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Spending time with family and friends.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in �something, what would it be?
All things technology.
What was your favorite job you’ve ever had and why?
Transition Consultant because I enjoy assisting students in �discovering their preferences, interests, needs and strengths.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
A loyal friend.
Do you still live near where you grew up?
Yes.
If you could only eat one dish for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Baked salmon.
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
Italy.
What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?
How to use the reMarkable digital notebook.
Why do you believe secondary transition planning is so important?
Secondary transition planning is important because it helps in creating positive and meaningful life goals.
Carrie Tuttle
Arch Ford Coop and part of North Central and Guy Fenter Coops
What did you do before this job?�Before joining ATS, I worked at UALR on two federal grants �related to Transition.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
I garden, read and love my dog, Hank.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in �Something, what would it be?
I would be a chef!
What was your favorite job you’ve ever had and why?
This job!! I get to work with fantastic people and serve schools in �making students lives better!
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Dedicated, knowledgeable, loyal
Do you still live near where you grew up?
I live within 90 miles of my parents home in Ozark.
If you could only eat one dish for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A well grilled steak with baked potato and a salad.
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
Ireland.
What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?
Organization.
Why do you believe secondary transition planning is so important?
It is very difficult for all students to plan for their future; and for those with additional needs, the process is even harder. I feel we help students make better choices and plan which leads to better outcomes!!
Bonnie Boaz
State Coordinator
What did you do before this job?�I worked as a Transition Consultant for ATS; before that, �an Orientation and Mobility Specialist, teaching individuals �with various kinds of visual impairments how to travel safely �and access their communities.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
With family and pets relaxing or cooking.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in �something, what would it be?
Gardening.
What was your favorite job you’ve ever had and why?
My current one, because I not only enjoy the work and feel that it’s helping people help younger people reach the goals they have for life, but I also enjoy the people I work with and meet.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Loyal, trusted, funny.
Do you still live near where you grew up?
Yes, about 3 miles away from my childhood home.
If you could only eat one dish for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If there were no lasting effects of eating cheese dip for every meal, that would be it.
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
Italy.
What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?
Organization (always).
Why do you believe secondary transition planning is so important?
Because life is important - all of our lives affect one another in various ways, so helping support each other is critical. I know students with disabilities have amazing potential and often what is holding them back is not knowing there are supports available to them. Secondary transition planning can bring those supports into action and prepare them before they go off into the “real world”.
Jennifer Bibel
Administrative Analyst
What did you do before this job?�I worked in a Copy & Print shop before this and interned
at the Social Security Office of Disability Adjudication and
Review before that.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my husband and 3-year-old daughter,
gardening, and playing board games with friends.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in �something, what would it be?
Interpersonal skills.
What was your favorite job you’ve ever had and why?
Definitely this one! I enjoy what I do and I love my coworkers! 🙂
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Caring, thoughtful, achiever.
Do you still live near where you grew up?
I do - just 15 minutes away.
If you could only eat one dish for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Macaroni and cheese.
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
France!
What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?
Creating and editing videos.
Why do you believe secondary transition planning is so important?
Transition planning helps students with disabilities discover their preferences, interests, needs and strengths. In doing so, they have a better understanding of what they might like to do after high school and set goals for themselves accordingly. The transition planning process can help them reach those goals, ultimately leading to positive outcomes and a sense of fulfillment.