This month, selected students and faculty from The Calais School attended Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation’s seventh annual “Disability Mentoring Day” in East Hanover. Disability Mentoring Day is part of a nationwide initiative created by the American Association of People with Disabilities to promote career development for students and job seekers with disabilities.

Students so enjoyed last year’s visit to “Disability Mentoring Day” that a greater number of students attended this year. Guidance Counselor Michelle Primiano and Structured Learning Experience instructor Lisa Marie Vallo chaperoned the field trip for Calais School high school students. The program included several career exploration segments from employees representing a variety of departments. The program was designed to share the numerous employment opportunities at a corporation like Novartis with students.

Geri’s critically-acclaimed autobiography, I’m Walking as Straight as I Can, has been described as "an honest and bold account of her life."

Geri’s critically-acclaimed autobiography has been described as “an honest and bold account of her life.”

The highlight of the program was a dynamic presentation from award-winning author, performer and motivational speaker Geri Jewell. Geri first received worldwide recognition as the first person with a disability to be cast in a prime-time television series, appearing as Cousin Geri on NBC’s The Facts of Life. She is a role model for millions of people with disabilities and LGBT youth. Her many television appearances include roles in Sesame Street and 21 Jump Street and her role as “Jewel” in HBO’s Deadwood garnered her an Emmy nomination.

Geri’s presentation really hit home with our students, as Mrs. Primiano noticed some tears of inspiration and a number of belly laughs. She shared,

“I know it is a successful trip when the bus ride back to school is filled with heartfelt chatter recapping the day.”

We would all like to send a special thank you to Novartis for organizing and including us in their always memorable Disability Mentoring Day and for the generous gift bags they shared with our students.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals is a longtime supporter of The Calais School, most recently granting us money to purchase Chromebooks for the entire high school. Their commitment to supporting education, science, health, and technology initiatives in our community has greatly improved the classroom experience for our students.

Thank you Novartis! We look forward to next year’s Mentoring Day…