English Language Arts
At the Transition Center, we help students prepare for entry-level employment. Students learn the skills and abilities of a job in the classroom and learn how to look for, apply, and interview for a job in the English Language Arts class. Along with working with the vocational teachers in the classroom to foster interest in that industry, we combine Career Exploration with the study of English.
We help students analyze job postings, write resumes and practice interviewing so they are prepared for entry-level employment when they leave high school.
We empower students by helping them discover themselves, discover their skills, and find entry-level employment or a career that they could be successful at and love doing everyday.
Meet Our Instructor
Debra Rajaratne
Hello! I'm the English Language Arts instructor at Kent Transition Center. I've been teaching 13-14 years with 5 years being in traditional schooling (rural, urban, and residential alternative) and 8 years at KTC. I really love the area in which I teach because it empowers my students with skills or knowledge to gain jobs on their own. I prepare students in researching jobs, determining jobs that suit their personalities, writing resumes, workplace laws, advocating for themselves and disabilities, and interviewing.
Industry Experience
- Adapted Vocational Education English Language Arts teacher at KTC (2012 - Present)
- 7th & 8th grade Social Studies teacher at Forest Area Community Schools (Fife Lake, MI)
- Journalism/World History/Economics teacher at the Beaver Island Lighthouse School (Beaver Island, MI)
- Tutor/Instructor at Sylvan Learning Center (Traverse City, MI)
- Government teacher at Thurgood Marshall High School (Missouri City, TX)
- English teacher at Hightower High School (Missouri City, TX)
- Cashier Supervisor at Sam’s Club (2003-2008)
Education
- Bachelors in Group Social Studies Education with a minor in English from Grand Valley State University (2008)
- Masters in Educational Technology from Grand Valley State University (2014)
- Masters of Education In Literacy Studies from Grand Valley State University (2022)
My husband and I love to travel and we have walked on a glacier in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada and traveled to Sri Lanka. I love speaking Spanish, love music, animals and sports-especially NCAA football and basketball. When Fall and March arrive, you will find me glued to my TV either cheering on Michigan, Michigan State, Alabama, Auburn, Texas or the University of Miami. I have been singing since age 4 and tried out for America’s Got Talent while I was living and teaching in Houston, TX. I grew up on a farm and have four sisters.
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