Okaloosa Up

05/28/2026

Summer Challenge!!!
Bridget has put away laundry and enjoyed relaxing in her clean room! She has also been reading The Little Mermaid and recommends it to her friends! You're off to a great start for summer, Bridget! Thanks for sharing!

05/24/2026

We are so grateful for the support and guidance from the Master Gardeners of Okaloosa County as they help our students grow our culinary garden into a beautiful learning space. Their knowledge, encouragement, and hands-on support are helping our students learn valuable skills while connecting with nature, teamwork, and healthy foods. Thank you for investing your time and hearts into Okaloosa UP! 🌱

05/23/2026

Sumner Challenge!!
We have challenged our students with putting the skills they've learned throughout the year to work this summer and sending us pictures of what they're doing, so we can feature them on Facebook.
First up is Nicole! Nicole planned and cooked a meal for her family and did all of the clean up. She also did a deep cleaning of her kitchen. Way to go Nicole!!

05/21/2026

Last day of school until August! Let the fun begin!@@

05/20/2026

Today our students participated in an interactive game of “Life”! They rolled dice to discover their career, monthly income, whether they had student loans, and even the size of their family. Along the way, they had to budget, pay bills, and navigate unexpected life events. It was a fun, hands-on activity that helped build real-world life and financial skills!

05/18/2026

05/17/2026

At Okaloosa UP (Unique Professionals), we believe every student deserves the opportunity to continue learning, growing, and preparing for the future in an inclusive college environment.

Okaloosa UP is a postsecondary program at Okaloosa Technical College designed for adult students with intellectual disabilities. Through hands-on learning in culinary and carpentry, employability instruction, campus involvement, and real-world work experiences, students build independence, confidence, workplace skills, and meaningful connections.

Our goal is simple: help students discover their strengths, gain valuable skills, and prepare for success in work and life. 💙

05/14/2026

We had a great few days of celebrating our seniors! One last restaurant simulation, s'more fun and finally graduation. Good luck seniors, you will be missed. Good luck with all that you do, you will shine!

05/13/2026

Senior Spotlight 🌟

Rea has loved the hands-on experience of working with food, especially making desserts! One of the most surprising things she discovered about herself was that she could advocate for herself and overcome her fear of working at the hot stove. We are so proud of her growth, confidence, and willingness to step outside of her comfort zone! 👏

05/12/2026

Kaitlyn demonstrated a keen interest in movement and journal time within the classroom setting. She thoroughly enjoyed her experiences working in the café and culinary environments. She was pleasantly surprised by her ability to assume the role of sous chef and plan the menu. Kaitlyn is eagerly anticipating her summer travels and subsequent job search. Great work, Kaitlyn!