Standout Student: 281’s Colin Coombs Serves Up a Good Attitude
If you walk into the Crystal Learning Center, you’ll find that everyone knows and likes Colin Coombs. The Robbinsdale Transition Center student also works in the school cafeteria and has a good attitude.
“I think Colin can do whatever he puts his mind to,” says Jackie Slyter, a special education teacher and work coordinator at the Robbinsdale Transition Center. “He has dreams and goals and I think he’ll accomplish all of those because he’s such a great guy.”
Colin is 19 and is working toward goals and independent living. He recently became the first student in the program to get a job working in the building.
“When he first started, he did a on-the-job training delivering mail,” says Slyter. “He made an impression right away because he’s so friendly and happy. Now that everyone sees him in the cafeteria, they love him.”
Colin shows up to the cafeteria before the crowd. He sets up the serving area and helps where needed. He is meticulously clean and takes his first job seriously.
“I serve lunches and take inventory,” explains Colin. “It’s just the typical cafeteria norm.”
Colin also enjoys art, and someday hopes to be a cartoonist. He drew pictures for a coloring station that’s planned as part of a carnival for younger students. When Colin finishes up the program at the Robbinsdale Transition Center, he’ll take his good attitude with him.
“One thing that doesn’t change is my good heart and attitude,” says Colin. “As long as you have heart, you can do anything…as long as you don’t give up on your dreams.”
