Life Skills Pathway

Life Skills Pathway helps students discover their own sense of purpose by equipping them with practical skills for independent living, college, or a fulfilling career.

Practical skills to prepare for independent living, college, or a meaningful career

Life Skills Pathway (LSP) is a class that equips young adults with real-world skills and life management strategies through engaging projects and activities, setting them up for success in life. Our goal is to develop independence, confidence, and personal growth in our students, leveraging their unique abilities to build meaningful careers and improve their quality of life.

“…there is a decrease in anxiety due to increased self-esteem by using life skills training for students.”

— Winarsunu, T., Iswari Azizaha, B. S., Fasikha, S. S., & Anwar, Z. (2023)

Each student follows a personalized plan with goals such as mastering independent living skills and using assistive technology in an inclusive setting. Our program also helps employers in hiring skilled workers and fosters community impact by advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce.

Meet the team

Kelly Chua
Life Skills Teacher
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Christian Giron
Athletic Director, Basketball Coach
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Paul Lopez
Paraeducator
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“In Life Skills Pathway, students gain real-world experience, learning teamwork and responsibility in a safe environment. They’re encouraged to make mistakes, manage their decisions, and build confidence through practical skills.”

— Kelly Chua, LSP Teacher

Entrepreneurial ventures

Our LSP students initiated a small coffee cart business, providing coffee to teachers while gaining hands-on experience in customer service, finance, business management, teamwork, and collaboration. This venture not only offers practical skills but also ensures a strong, active presence throughout the school campus.

Innovative communication solutions

Inspired by LSP students, we developed software such as Quick Talk and Quick Type. These apps assist nonverbal individuals in communicating, showcasing the profound impact our students have on technological advancements.

Connections in the community

Some of our LSP students received a personalized video from the Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green, acknowledging their efforts and accomplishments.

Media spotlight

Life Skills Pathway students were featured on NBC Bay Area, highlighting the power of technology in helping individuals find their voice and connect with family and classmates. Additionally, our students were showcased in the “I Want To Say” documentary, part of HP’s Hacking Autism initiative and Touch Smart devices.

A day in the life

Each year, we tailor our class to meet the students’ needs, creating a dynamic and personalized daily experience, while maintaining our mission of inclusion and empowerment.

Shaping our “workplace” environment

As part of learning vocational and life skills, students walk into the classroom and begin the “work day.” Students “clock in” and “clock out,” and get “paid” every Monday. Using their hard earned money, they’re able to purchase items from our class store. We’ve found that students will often buy things for loved ones aside from themselves. Students are active members of the classroom and as such, their presence and contribution to the class is highly emphasized.

Entrepreneurial enterprises

Part of our mission at HTS is to engage in projects for our students to apply the skills learned in the classroom to the world outside of it. Our ongoing small coffee cart business works together alongside some of our middle and high school students to create a name, a flier, and a schedule for the coffee cart to deliver midday drinks to our staff. Every student has a role and a part to play in the success of the coffee cart from taking, making, and delivering the orders to our staff.

Empowering our students through technology

Our goal at Hope Technology School is to harness the power of technology to not only enhance the curriculum but also to make it accessible for every student. For some, technology is not just an aid but a necessity to fully engage with the educational content. We understand the importance of providing tailored support, whether it’s reading information aloud or assisting with writing and communication. Our commitment is to ensure that technology serves as a bridge, enabling all students, including those who are nonverbal, to communicate effectively and thrive in their learning journey.

Our curriculum at a glance

Our curriculum is creatively adapted to each individual class and covers a wide range of subjects and life skills.

General education

A curriculum that includes key subjects like mathematics and English.

Zoo Phonics for letters and letter sounds
Letters and Handwriting Without Tears
Pre-reading skills

Functional math

Hands-on lessons that teach effective money and time management for everyday life.

Adding and subtracting
Counting and number recognition
Basic concepts: Patterns, positional languages, comparing

Personal life management

Developing essential life skills like cooking, cleaning, making the bed, doing laundry, and more.

Adding and subtracting
Counting and number recognition
Basic concepts: Patterns, positional languages, comparing

Social skills

Exercises that build confidence in communicating and expressing emotions in social situations.

Vocational skills

Equipping for workplace success with skills in resume writing, time management, and professional attire.

Frequently asked questions

What are LSP’s hours?Mike Query2024-08-06T17:09:41-07:00

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