Virginia high school educator celebrates 2 decades of finding jobs for her students

BEDFORD, Va. (WSET) — It takes a special person to help others achieve their dreams.

For Regina Carter, she has made a career out of helping others find theirs at Liberty High School in Bedford. But making this a career was not originally on her radar.

"Once I got in the class setting and saw what it was all about," she recalled thinking "I can do this," said Carter, a special education job coach at Liberty High School (LHS).

For the last 22 years, students could find Carter at her desk in the A building at LHS, setting the wheels in motion for her students to find their special calling.

If I could pick someone that epitomizes everything that is good about this school, it's Mrs. Carter," said LHS Principal Justin Tucker.

Carter is a special needs job coach, which requires long hours, incredible persistence, a lot of planners, and one busy phone. People who spend any amount of time with her at all, see she is always on her phone.

Her program takes students recommended by Special Ed teachers, and using her two decades of connections, not only places them into jobs in the community but also teaches them life skills, good hygiene practices, and punctuality -- all with the hope of landing permanent employment after graduation.

Through the years, the success stories have been countless.

A lot of parents start off apprehensive because it's different. Usually, within about a week, they're asking for more Regina Carters," laughed Tucker.

Many parents have a change of heart for no other reason than because Carter's kids want to take the next step.

"To see the smiles on their faces like, 'Wow, I got a job'. That, to me, should allow all the ones out there to see that's worth it all," said Carter.

One such story is from Christian Walker, a senior in the program currently working as an apprentice at MJ’s Grill & Bar.

Very very willing to get involved, ask for things to do if there's not things to do. It definitely seems that he wants to make a career of this," said TK Bradner, the general manager of MJ's, and a parent of a special needs child himself.

Bradner has seen Walker's growth in the program since day one.

"I want to learn as much as I can," said Walker.

Part of Carter's job is to shadow her students at their jobs once she has placed them, but Walker has reached the stage in the program where Carter can enjoy her favorite part of the job.

When you can just sit back and observe what they have achieved from beginning to end," said Carter.

And it's stories like this one, that keep this educator coming back each day.

"I have students in their 30s that say, 'There's Ms. Carter, she's my job Coach. Hey Ms. Carter can I show you what I'm doing now,' for me, that's what keeps me coming back," laughed Carter.