This is a personal story about the challanges of a teenager faced with having a physical disability, struggling of finding her place and purpose, struggling with anxiety and wanting to quit school.
This is a personal story of determination and resillance with having a special high school teacher and a single parent, mother, believing in her so much that they taught her how to advocate for herself and overcome the struggles she faced. This is my story! My high school journey may have been a difficult one and I value all I learned including the awesome mentorship that was created from that time. The experiences and challanges, good or bad, shaped me into the person I am today and without them I may not hold the same values I do today. As a person working with the GEAR UP Grants, I believe in the value of this program. At the time I was in high school, the program, GEAR UP was not a part of the school. I see how it would have been a great benefit for me to have that guidance during my high school journey.
You are invited to attend this session and listen to a story of a shy high school student without any confidence blossom into a self-determined creative individual that guides, teaches and advocates for others' needs for success for high school and beyond.
College and Career Access Coodinator, Student Services: GEAR UP/On Ramp Program
As the College & Career Access Coordinator for Southwestern Community College, I work very closely with the GEAR UP and On Ramp Grants within three school districts. For over 15 years, I’ve taught independent living skills and pre-transitional employment strategies to students... Read More →
Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am EDT Elm Room 134 A
BREAKOUT SESSION: READY, SET, LIFE! How to prepare your students for life beyond high school. This session will act as a transition service for those students transitioning from high school to college or from college to adulthood. We want to provide some of the tools we believe are necessary for those work base experiences and transitional steps. These are tools that students may need in order to be successful with non-academic goals as well as skills necessary to becoming more independent and resilient within their lives.
By providing guidelines and tools for students they will learn how to become successful young adults transitioning from others solving their problems to being able to solve their own. Whether it be learning how to do laundry for the first time to learning how to prepare meals to setting their own alarm to get to class on time. We want to equip students with tools for the journey and how to take steps necessary for success. This session will give some practical information and time for discussion on how to best give students and opportunity to thrive as independent young adults and how you as an educator, counselor or natural support are able to share your expertise through your own story or support their efforts of learning how to ready, set, LIFE!
Hi everyone! My name is Hope Gambill. I am from Sparta, NC.I earned my bachelor’s degree at UNC Chapel Hill and double majored in Political Science and Philosophy. I am currently working on completing my master’s in Higher Education focusing on University and Community College... Read More →
College and Career Access Coodinator, Student Services: GEAR UP/On Ramp Program
As the College & Career Access Coordinator for Southwestern Community College, I work very closely with the GEAR UP and On Ramp Grants within three school districts. For over 15 years, I’ve taught independent living skills and pre-transitional employment strategies to students... Read More →
Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT Elm Room 202 A
