TUSD's Community Transition Programs

TUSD's Community Transition Programs

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Empowering students with disabilities ages 18–22 to thrive beyond high school through community-based training, education, and advocacy.

Overview
The Community Transition Programs (CTP) were established to provide high school students with significant disabilities, ages 18 to 22, with a seamless transition from school to life as young productive adults. Typically, students with disabilities start freshman year with their peers at age 14. By their senior year, or age 18, students without disabilities are generally ready to graduate

Photos from Ben's Bells's post 02/20/2026

In 2009, Isaiah came to Tucson to teach us the Zagar mosaic method. He shared more than technique. He shared a belief that art belongs to everyone and that when people create together, something powerful happens. That training shaped our murals, our studios, and the way we invite community into the work.
Because of Isaiah and our partnership with ACT, what started as collaboration became a lasting commitment to community-centered art. Today, hundreds of murals across Southern Arizona carry that vision forward. Each tile, each mirror, each piece placed by hand reflects the idea that broken pieces can come together to create something beautiful.

Isaiah’s influence impacts every volunteer who steps into our studio, every student who learns his mosaic method, and every mural that reminds us to practice kindness intentionally.

We are deeply grateful to Isaiah and to our partners at ACT. Together, murals like these are possible. His legacy will continue through education, creativity, and kindness for all.

Thank you for helping us build something that will keep growing. 💛

Photos from Philadelphia's Magic Gardens's post 02/19/2026

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Isaiah Zagar.
In 2009, Isaiah traveled from Philadelphia to Tucson to share his extraordinary mosaic artistry with our community. He trained TUSD Community Transition Program students, Ben’s Bells staff, and community volunteers in the Zagar mosaic method, generously passing on not just technique, but spirit — a belief that art belongs to everyone and that creativity can transform spaces and lives.
From that collaboration, the Kindness-themed mural initiative was born, a powerful partnership between TUSD’s Community Transition Programs and the Ben’s Bells Project. What began as a training grew into a movement. To date, several hundred kindness-themed murals have been installed by the Ben’s Bells Project, each one a lasting testament to Isaiah’s influence and his belief in community-centered art.
Isaiah showed us that broken pieces can come together to create something extraordinary, a lesson that continues to echo in every mural and every act of kindness inspired by this work.
We are grateful for his generosity, his artistry, and the indelible mark he left on Tucson. His legacy lives on in tile, mirror, color, and community.
Rest in power, Isaiah. You were truly one of a kind.

Photos from Ben's Bells's post 01/24/2026

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Photos from Drachman Montessori's post 01/16/2026

We love working with Drachman Dragons!

08/29/2025

9 years ago, Kind Stitches was just a dream and a few humble threads. Today, we’re celebrating the journey — the growth, the grit, and the kindness stitched into every step. Here's to looking back at where it all began. 💫🧵

10/30/2024

TUSD said goodbye to our favorite HR Associate today after 34 years!! Happy retirement Kris!!! You will be missed!

09/06/2024

TUSD’s Community Transition Programs Program Manager, Maggie Gedebou, received the Secondary Transition Services Educator Award at Arizona’s 2024 IDEA Conference

Photos from TUSD's Community Transition Programs's post 08/14/2024

🤩EXCITING NEWS🤩 Kind Stitches students will be running Maingate Square location starting today!! Come visit us at the shop. We will be embroidering Ben’s Bells Merch and will be accepting custom orders during our open hours 🧵🪡💜💚

🤩 Come volunteer or shop 🤩

Photos from TUSD's Community Transition Programs's post 08/14/2024

💜Henry and Lynn did a wonderful job preparing kindness coins for sale, glazing, and prepping beads to be loaded into the kiln 💜 What a great team!! 🤩🧵🪡💚

03/10/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/9JrKaMziu669HGx2/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Our very own Mark Reynolds!!!

: Meet Mark Reynolds, he is an Ex Ed-teacher in the Advanced Community Training Program that supports programs like Ochoa Community School's garden and ecology. He has been with TUSD for 23 years and he enjoys the environment at Ochoa community school. 🍎

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Location

Telephone

Address


1010 E 10th Street
Tucson, AZ
85719

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm