The Azle ISD Transition Center is a program to prepare students who receive special education services for the workforce and the adult world. These are students who have earned their high school credits and are transitioning to their final years of high school. Amy Weston is the transition coordinator for the center and Amy Worthy is the classroom teacher.

Worthy said her goal as the transition teacher includes helping “each individual student achieve their greatest level of independence.”

“By building relationships and truly getting to know each student, I am better able to reach my students’ higher level of function as we focus on their individualized goals and objectives,” She said. “I live for the a-ha moments and I love playing such an important role in the lives of my students.”

Meanwhile, Weston oversees the Transition Center. Earlier this semester, she helped collect donations to hold a garage sale to raise money for other activities the transition center has planned in the future.

“The purpose of the garage sale was to generate some funds because there’s not many things you can do to raise money without spending any money,” Weston said.

The students at the transition center face unique challenges once they finish high school. Worthy helps them navigate these concerns.

“It’s getting them set up for success after the school bus stops coming,” Weston said.

This is the first year that the center is off campus, near the old service center on Sandy Beach Road, previously the center had been right here on campus.

“We have always had this available to students,” transition coordinator Amy Weston said. “It just looks a lot different this year because we were able to move the classes off campus”

The materials the students learn are categorized into 3 categories.

“We have 3 main areas that the program covers and those are employability, independent living and the third is community and recreation,” Weston said.

Worthy said her passion for special education began when she was 18, assisting her nephew with special needs. Now, she goes above and beyond for her students and community.

“I truly love each and every one of my students and advocate for each of them on a daily basis,” She said. “My love for helping individuals with special needs is so strong that I am also the founder of a nonprofit called, The Friend Zone, where it is our mission to make purposeful and meaningful connections for individuals with special needs.”