LeAnn Holden-Martin

Holden-Martin’s innovative teaching idea, “Sonny House Job Skills Program,” focuses on helping high school students with severe cognitive disabilities develop real-world job skills. Through the program, students will receive specialized training for a broad range of jobs including housekeeping, laundry care, grocery bagging/shelving, mail sorting, car detailing, gardening and office work (e.g., shredding, basic computer skills). The skills students learn will promote positive self-esteem for a population that struggles every day to be accepted in the community. According to Holden-Martin, the project will allow students to explore different skills, which she hopes will empower them to make more informed decisions for themselves and develop self-determination.