Nate Snider begins his next chapter at Westview Cafeteria

Nate Snider Begins His Next Chapter at Westview Cafeteria

Before the lunch rush fills the cafeteria at Westview High School with students eager to eat and socialize, the cafeteria crew is already in motion. They move with the easy rhythm of a team that means business: prepping food, filling the buffet lines, and stacking trays in anticipation of one of the busiest parts of the day. Among them is a familiar face in a brand-new role, efficiently cleaning dishes from the prep station: Nate Snider. Once a Westview student in the Transition Program, Nate is now an employee.

The Transition Program serves students with special needs who may not follow the traditional post-graduation routes of college or trade school. Instead, the program equips them with life, social, and vocational skills so they can move into adulthood with confidence. Students can remain in the program until age 22, with transportation provided to ensure access to opportunities.

 “The Transition Program shows students, and our community, that there are countless roles for which they are perfect. Nate is proof of that. He has thrived working in the cafeteria,” explains Keith Douglas, Program Director. 

For Nate, who is nonverbal, communication looks different, but his progress is unmistakable. Even though Nate’s style of communication is unique to him, he quickly connected with his coworkers. “He’s already made leaps and bounds,” said Douglas. “This is the ultimate goal of the program, helping these students find their purpose and connecting them with opportunities for growth, even if that doesn’t look like everyone else’s.”

When Nate first stepped into the cafeteria as an employee, he had one task: receiving the trays and placing them in the dishwasher. Within days, however, Nate was not only doing that with ease, but began pushing himself further by cleaning other areas of his workstation and those around him. 

For the cafeteria staff, welcoming Nate into the fold was seamless. They already knew him well from his years as a student on the other side of the counter. 

“We’ve seen Nate as a student, we’ve cheered him on in this program, and now we get to see him shine as a coworker,” said Samantha Robbins, Westview Cafeteria Manager. “He’s one of ours. And now he’s not only a student we cared for, but he’s also part of our team and part of our family.”

That pride extends to his family, too. “We are so very proud of Nate and his commitment to his new job,” shared his mom, Mandy. “We love seeing this independence, growth, and the interaction and communication with his sweet coworkers.”

For Nate, this role represents a milestone in independence. For his parents, it’s also the reward of years of support through Weakley County Schools. “I’ve always said that Weakley County has the best special needs program! Nate has been fortunate to be a part of it for 16 years,” Mandy explained. “The students and parents are so blessed to have such amazing teachers, leaders, and supporters. They go above and beyond to meet every child’s wants and needs.”

Her advice to other parents in the program? Keep believing in what’s possible. “We all want our kids to be happy and successful and with programs like this, it is possible for every child to find their way,” she said.

With the support of organizations such as St. John’s, the Transition Program can open doors for students across multiple industries. Each successful placement is not only a symbol of progress, but also a reminder of what’s possible when we invest in growth and opportunity. 

“When we say we’re committed to all students, we mean it,” emphasized Betsi Foster, Assistant Director of Schools. “Nate’s journey shows exactly why programs like this matter. Every student has a unique set of skills, and it’s finding what fits for them that makes it all worthwhile.”

The clatter of trays may fade at the end of each day, but Nate’s story echoes far beyond the cafeteria: a story that lights the path for future students as the Transition Program continues to grow their connections.

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