It’s no surprise that Ernie Laux and Gary Hill Jr. serve as instructors for Project SEARCH – both believe in the power of internships that teach students skills to compete and succeed in the real world.
Project SEARCH, an internationally acclaimed program that supports special education students ages 18-21 in the transition from school to work, provides hands-on work experiences in a 10-month program. Students are empowered as they prepare for life beyond the classroom and achieve their employment aspirations.
As a young special education teacher, Ernie Laux got a real taste of working in special education during the summers of his college years at a local nonprofit. After earning his special education degree from Rider University and certification as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities from St. Joseph’s University, he began teaching at Y.A.L.E. School Cherry Hill in 2001. Through the years, Ernie progressed in his career to become a lead supervisor, and that’s when he found Project SEARCH.
When Ernie first learned about Project SEARCH, he immediately saw potential in what the program could bring to Y.A.L.E. students. Ernie championed the program with Y.A.L.E. School Director, Peggy Chapman, becoming the Project SEARCH instructor for the first cohort of interns at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, a program that has won a series of national awards for employment outcomes, and an international award as well.
“We are always seeking to enhance the learning experiences for our students, asking what we can do to make things even better and more enriching for each of them,” explained Ernie.
Project SEARCH is an innovative transition-to-work model that provides students in their final year of special education with an internship at a premier host business, such as Jefferson Health. All instruction is done on-site with work-based learning in three departments over the course of the school year. It is this unique “immersive” work experience that enables Project SEARCH interns to develop new skills and self-confidence – capabilities that transfer to aspirational employment, the goal of Project SEARCH.
Building on the success of the Project SEARCH Program at Jefferson Health, Y.A.L.E. School established a second Project SEARCH site with Novo Nordisk, a global leader in healthcare located in Plainsboro, NJ. Gary Hill Jr., already a special education teacher at Y.A.L.E. School in Cherry Hill, learned of the new site and was the perfect fit as a Novo Nordisk Project SEARCH Instructor.
After starting his career as an early intervention educator, Gary Hill Jr. joined the Y.A.L.E. School team in 2018 as a Teacher Assistant at the Y.A.L.E. Cherry Hill campus in the high school program before becoming the interim High School English Teacher. Gary found that in both roles, he especially enjoyed working with his students during life and career periods each week, helping them explore their interests and plan for the future.
“I genuinely believe it was my calling to help others. This is what I dedicated my professional life to achieving. I believe my empathy, compassion, and the love I have for teaching can make a change,” said Gary.
Ernie, in his ninth year with Project SEARCH, has been an outstanding mentor to Gary, who initiated the new program at Novo Nordisk in September 2024. Together, they are working to strengthen and expand these programs, creating more opportunities for students with disabilities to participate.
With a commitment to student success, Ernie and Gary work to equip students with a complete skill set that will prepare them not only to thrive in the workplace, but in all aspects of adult life. Put simply, they want to empower students to take charge of their own futures, to envision the possibilities, and reach them. “Students aspiring to guide themselves and self-initiate – that right there is our real hope and goal for our students in Project SEARCH,” said Ernie.
“The program truly embraces individuals who have the drive to work and be productive citizens for their communities,” added Gary. “Their hard work in Project SEARCH helps them achieve their goal of competitive employment.”
Ernie and Gary say their shared belief in the abilities, talents, and strengths of interns is why they come to work every day. Their commitment and passion for student success is a testament to the power of education and the impact of compassionate, thoughtful educators.