Amid the bustling hum of machinery and the crisp smell of fresh paper, the Alpine School District printing services department is quietly building something far more impactful than paper goods: confidence, independence, and workforce skills for local students.
Every semester, printing services partners with two of the district's specialized post-high school programs: the Alpine Transition and Education Center (ATEC) and the Timpanogos Transition and Education Center (TTEC). Through this long-standing initiative, groups of four to five students spend a couple of hours at the facility each day, Monday through Thursday, working alongside their job coaches and district print technicians. ATEC students take the morning shift, followed by a TTEC crew in the early afternoon, giving students a consistent routine to become familiar with daily operations and workflow.
Hands-On Experience with Real-World Impact
Working directly alongside district print staff, students engage in hands-on tasks including collating, packaging materials, preparing items for district mail, and coil binding books.
"These students help with many of the everyday tasks that take place in our Printing Services department," explains Printing Services Supervisor Jake McDonald. "They are an important part of our team, and we love seeing them build confidence, learn new skills, and contribute to the success of our department."
Printing services employee Katie Potter emphasizes just how much work the students accomplish during their shifts. "Coiling is their main job," Potter says. "They fill probably two to three carts of finished books a day for us—sometimes pumping out 400 to 500 books in a single day. I am so grateful for it!"
Preparing Students for the Community Workforce
This hands-on opportunity in printing services is part of a broader job skills initiative designed by ATEC and TTEC to help young adults with special needs prepare for post-school life. Each semester, students rotate through supervised work sites across the local community—gaining experience at places like Smith’s, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and the Orem Recreation Center. These experiences teach students how to safely navigate community environments, interact with team members, and practice essential workforce expectations like staying focused, building endurance, and taking appropriate breaks.
"It teaches them all kinds of stuff—how to be responsible, how to keep going even when it's hard, staying focused, and social skills working with teammates," explains TTEC Job Coach Rachel.
McDonald echoes that sentiment: "We are able to provide these amazing students with real-world, hands-on experiences that help them learn new skills, build confidence, and improve their communication. One of the most rewarding parts of this experience is watching these students come out of their shells and become more comfortable interacting with others. Seeing the excitement and pride in their eyes when they successfully complete a task is what it’s all about."
For student Tannika, the structured environment offers direct personal benefits. "It helps me focus," Tannika shared. "When I'm working, my anxiety doesn't go through the roof because I have something meaningful to do."
Creating Lasting Change
The true heart of the program lies in creating a positive, welcoming environment where students feel valued and supported. McDonald recalls one particularly meaningful moment when a student's mother came into his office to speak with him personally. She wanted to thank the printing services team for the positive environment and the sense of value they provided to her son. She shared that every single day he would return home eagerly talking about the projects he worked on and his friends in the department, noting that he had never talked about any of his prior job sites like this before.
"These experiences may have been a result of something so simple on our part, but these things really speak volumes to these amazing kids," says McDonald. "It’s all about meeting them on their level, making a connection, and helping them feel valued and successful."
A Win-Win Atmosphere
That supportive culture creates a win-win atmosphere for everyone on the floor. "When you have a fun work environment, these kids can really knock the work out," notes ATEC job coach Jax. That blend of productivity and fun isn't lost on the students. For ATEC student Kai, his shift at printing services represents more than just a job site: "I love hanging out with my work family," Kai said.
By aligning district resources with student-centered learning, Alpine School District's printing services department shows how practical operations can transform into life-changing learning experiences.
"On behalf of the entire printing services team, we absolutely love our partnership with these two programs," McDonald reflects. "The truth is, these incredible students bring so much more to us and brighten our days in ways we could never fully give back. We are grateful for every opportunity to work with them, learn from them, and be part of their journey. They remind us that the smallest moments of connection can make the biggest difference."