TRANSITION TR UMPH from to
success story:
Meet Sylvia
Since graduating from Transitions in 2021, Sylvia has embarked on an inspiring journey of growth, resilience, and achievement. We are excited to share an update on her progress and accomplishments!
Where She Is Now
Sylvia works at Bright Horizons , a renowned childcare organization with centers worldwide. She is a Floater Teacher who supports multiple classrooms throughout the day.
Sylvia demonstrates flexibility, initiative, and strong communication skills–hallmarks of a successful floater teacher. She has embraced the dynamic environment and continues to build strong relationships with her coworkers and students.
Academic Success After Transitions
After leaving Transitions, Sylvia attended Mitchell College, where she majored in Early Childhood Education. Transitioning to college presented early challenges, including adjusting to a new environment and independently navigating social and academic expectations. However, she leaned on the essential skills she developed at Transitions NY, particularly self-advocacy and organization, to successfully manage her workload, connect with faculty and peers, and overcome obstacles.
One of Sylvia’s proudest achievements was completing student teaching as part of her degree requirements. She collaborated closely with her professor and a co-teacher, planning and delivering lessons to pre-kindergarten students. Although public speaking initially felt daunting, Sylvia’s hard work and preparation paid off. Her professor commended her teaching, and Sylvia proudly completed her capstone presentation with support from friends and faculty.
Thanks to her early college credits earned through Landmark College’s Dual Enrollment program while attending Transitions, Sylvia graduated ahead of schedule, a testament to her determination and planning.
Sylvia at Mitchell
Finding the Right Career Path
Through her internships at Mitchell’s Early Childhood Center and earlier experience at Cassin and Cassin, a real estate law firm in NYC, during Transitions, Sylvia discovered her true passion: working with young children. While administrative tasks taught her valuable organizational and self-advocacy skills, her internships confirmed that she thrived in direct engagement with students.
After an extensive job search, applying to over 40 positions, Sylvia secured her current role at Bright Horizons through persistence and a strong interview. She is proud to use the skills she built throughout her educational journey in a professional setting that aligns with her passion.
Personal Growth
Sylvia has demonstrated incredible resilience and maturity throughout her journey. In college, she made thoughtful choices about how she spent her time, prioritizing her education and building authentic friendships over social activities that did not align with her goals. Her commitment to her values and her career aspirations guided her success.
Sylvia also shared that she continues to work on time management, a skill she is developing further in her new role. She is confident that, with more time and experience, she will continue to refine her ability to manage her busy schedule.
Advice to Current Students
Sylvia’s advice to current Transitions students is simple but powerful:
“Stick to your gut. If you’re passionate about something, pursue it. If the first path doesn’t work out, don’t give up, keep trying, adjust, and find a new way forward. Resilience is key.”
Looking Ahead
Sylvia is excited about her future in early childhood education. With her strong foundation of self-advocacy, organization, resilience, and professionalism, she is well-positioned for continued growth and success. We are so proud of Sylvia and look forward to seeing all the amazing things she will continue to accomplish!
Do you know someone who would benefit from the Transitions Program in New York or San Francisco? Please forward the information below to help them start their journey.
Winston Transitions is an individualized day program for students ages 17 to 21+ with learning differences, who need more time prior to launching into higher education or the workforce. Transitions provides flexible programming tailored to each student’s learning profile, social-emotional needs, and future goals.
Want to learn more?
Contact John Civita, Director of Transitions Programming, jcivita@winstonprep.edu or visit our website.
