From Caramel Macchiatos to English Toffee Cappuccinos, students in the Significant Support Needs (SSN) classroom at Erie High School are whipping up concoctions that will satisfy any coffee lover’s heart.
Twice a week, Special Education Teacher Ally Krause turns her classroom into an adaptive coffee shop where students prepare drinks for staff at EHS. Thanks to some teacher donations, they acquired a Keurig and milk frother to whip up hot and cold beverages. They have an extensive drink menu that includes a variety of teas, coffees, lattes, mochas, and cappuccinos with a plethora of flavor and topping additions. A fun addition to the menu is their signature drinks, which are created by and named after the students. “The students have fun experimenting and perfecting their signature drinks, and it teaches them job skills that they can apply to real-life situations after high school,” Krause said.
Students develop skills in various areas such as customer service, communication, job skills, and money management, all while having fun making delicious beverages. Krause said, “The biggest benefit for students is the ability for them to be able to practice skills they’re learning in a safe environment, and it helps them communicate effectively. If they make a mistake, it’s a safe environment for them to work through it. It also teaches them self-confidence to know they need repetition and practice to be able to do it successfully.”
Student mentors from Erie High School’s Tigers Together Peer Mentor program have paired up with student baristas to take part in the café. The mentors support students with taking, making, and delivering beverages. They also help train new mentors and students who are new to the café and support those students who need a refresher.
Last year, they fulfilled 286 orders through an online form and they hope to expand to other opportunities this year. Students continue to push themselves and set goals for themselves each class. Krause said, “The best part is they’re starting to believe in themselves and realize they’re capable of far more than they thought they were.”