Appreciation for Unsung Heroes: School Food Service Workers
Help me give my students clothes that represent the uniform of our school food service workers to honor and show appreciation for the work they do for our kids.
Our early childhood school is now in its 14th year serving the community. In our pre-K class, that means over 180 students have come and gone from this classroom. Along with that, many other students have called our room home for enrichment classes, after-school programs, and summer camp.
Families send their precious children to our class every day for us to help them take those first steps towards accomplishing great feats.
Our families have working-class parents who often work long hours to provide for their children.
There is nothing more rewarding for a teacher than connecting with the students and the families they serve on an emotional level. I am very fortunate to be able to teach in the very same community I grew up in.
I see much of my younger self in my students and see the similarities between my own parents and their parents. The stories, experiences, culture, food, and beliefs their families share have a lot in common with my own family.
My Project
Schools are filled with unsung heroes who make everyday possible for teachers to teach and students to learn. These heroes are behind the scenes making sure the things we often take for granted happen. One of the many heroes at our school are our food service workers.
These heroes were in school at the height of the pandemic, putting their own well being on the line to make sure the school community had food.
They entered the building when things were so unsure, when PPE was limited, and vaccines weren’t available.
With everyone back in the building with new COVID guidelines, food service workers are doing more than ever to ensure our kids have food for breakfast, snack, and lunch. One food service worker in particular has captured the hearts of my PreK students. Mr. Rasheed brings up lunch to my kids everyday and interacts with them. He puts a smile on our kids’ faces just by walking by the door.
Recently, we created a puppet in honor of Mr. Rasheed. Our kids love Mr. Rasheed and his puppet version. They want to be him in our dramatic play center, often quarreling over the child sized apron and cap that is similar to his uniform. When the child who is able to wear the dramatic play clothes, they take immense pride in serving up pretend food for others to eat. I am requesting a class set of green aprons and caps to give to our kids so they can honor and show appreciation to Mr. Rasheed as well as the other food service workers in our building. The materials for this project will spark conversation and appreciation for the people in our school who play an important role in making everyday possible.
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