FAST FIVE Abbie Waters: Teaching Project SEARCH interns how to navigate life

Meet Abbie Waters, who was born and raised in Coeur d'Alene and continues to raise her own young family in the area.

A University of Idaho Vandal grad, Abbie is a special education teacher with the Coeur d'Alene School District and has been working with individuals with disabilities for almost a decade. Currently, her role within the district is co-instructor for the Project SEARCH program at Kootenai Health. She has worked with the program since 2017. The 15th class will celebrate graduation Tuesday, June 3.

1) When and how did you get involved with Project SEARCH?

In 2017, my younger sister, Sofie, graduated from Project SEARCH. I was actually managing a makeup store at the time, but as I became more familiar with the program, I knew I had to be involved somehow. The following fall, there was an opening for a skills trainer position with Project SEARCH. I applied and got the job! My experience with Project SEARCH inspired me to become a certified special education teacher with the Coeur d'Alene School District in 2020 and I have been co-instructing Project SEARCH ever since!

2) What are you loving about your role with the program?

I love working with young people with disabilities. I love empowering them to do more than they thought possible. I love giving individuals and their families hope and encouragement for the future. I love witnessing growth and maturity in my students as the year progresses. 

3) What are some things you have learned about Project SEARCH and how it benefits our disability community and community as a whole?

There are countless things that I've learned from Project SEARCH and how it benefits our community. The main purpose of the program is for each participating intern to find competitive, integrated employment by the conclusion of the program year, meaning each individual with a disability is required to gain employment working alongside non-disabled peers and community members. By doing so, our community gains productive members of society who are hard workers and have the passion and drive to become as independent as possible. Imagine you are a young person with a disability, or a parent of a person with a disability, and you see other people with disabilities helping customers at Ross or working at Les Schwab while you're getting your tires changed; suddenly your eyes are open to possibilities that may have never felt possible before. Empowering people with disabilities to work as hard — if not harder — than their non-disabled peers gives encouragement to other people with disabilities and their supporters. Our community becomes more understanding and diverse when hiring and including people with disabilities. People with disabilities can be great employees, voters, parents, leaders and members of our community; oftentimes they aren't given these opportunities due to preconceived notions and an ableist mentality. As community members, we are responsible for including, welcoming and considering each other, regardless of disability.  

4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

I am a bit of a nerd (maybe it's not that surprising!). I love anime ("One Piece" is my favorite), building Legos and reading. I'm in a book club with my cousins! And I can spin a basketball on my finger! 

5) What words of wisdom do you have for this year's Project SEARCH graduates?

I say it all the time in class, but fake it 'til you make it. The next steps in life are going to present you with challenges that you feel unprepared for — it's part of adulthood. We're all faking it. There is no guidebook or YouTube tutorial to model what the future will look like or how to navigate it. Rather than sink into the feeling of being overwhelmed and falling back on those who have supported you in the past, it is time to support yourself now. The best way to plan for success is to go forward with a positive attitude and confidence, even if you aren't feeling confident, fake it! I am so proud of all eight of the graduating interns.

As of Tuesday, May 27, four out of the eight graduating interns have gained employment at Kootenai Health, Ross Dress for Less, Home Depot and Shabby Fabrics. The remaining four interns are actively pursuing employment. If you are an employer, please reach out to Project SEARCH via Facebook or email [email protected] if you are interested in employing a Project SEARCH graduate.