CCHS teacher McGowan receives Leadership and Service award

The Nevada Department on Career Development and Transitions (DCDT) has awarded Churchill County High School teacher Sara McGowan the first Leadership and Service award given to those who have made outstanding contributions to secondary education transition services for students with disabilities.

McGowan has dedicated over 10 years as the special education transitions coordinator for Churchill County School District. 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,” McGowan said.

In her presentation, McGowan discussed what transition programs are working, 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 of the aspects of running a business.

“The key is that your classroom has to be run like a business,” McGowan said. “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.”

McGowan was recognized for listening, learning, coaching, and caring about students with disabilities. Her favorite thing about her role with the school district is helping students 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,” she said. “That's the reward that truly makes your heart sing.”

The DCDT conference was hosted by the Nevada DCDT Committee, the Nevada Office of Inclusive Education, and the University of Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities. McGowan was a key player in bringing the DCDT conference to Northern Nevada. CCSD had nine staff members in attendance to help honor McGowan.

Churchill County School District, the Office of Inclusive Services and Churchill County High School offered words of praise for McGowan.

“We are so proud of her. She works tirelessly encouraging students to maximize their potential to become independent members of their community and society,” said Director of Learning and Innovation Kathryn Bervin-Mueller. “We could not be more proud of her and what she has accomplished for her students, our district and our community.”

Kaitlin Ritchie is public information officer with the Churchill County School District.