At South High School, the school day starts with the hum of an espresso machine and students stepping into real-world roles. For special education teacher Sean Davis, the student-run coffee cart is a pathway to confidence, connection and future success.
“I wanted to create a program where students learn job skills in high school so they’re ready for what comes next,” Sean said. “Something they can find dignity in and feel proud of.”
Since launching in 2018, the program has grown from a small cart serving coffee and hot chocolate into a hands-on learning experience where students train as baristas, prepare weekly baked goods and work together to serve their school community. Along the way, they build skills that extend far beyond the menu, including teamwork, time management and problem-solving under pressure.
For students like senior Fabian Muniz, the class has become something to look forward to.
“It’s pretty fun coming to class and learning how to make coffee,” Fabian said.
That growth is something staff see every day.
“Anytime you learn a new skill, you feel proud of yourself,” said Pam Hollenbeck, who works in the school’s special education department. “From the first time when you maybe spilled the coffee or burned yourself, and then at the end you’re producing a really beautiful cup of coffee or frittata.”
The program has also evolved into a more unified space where students with and without individualized education programs work side by side.
“In the last couple years, we’ve tried to make it a more unified program,” Sean said. “There’s gen ed kids and students with IEPs together, they’re teaching each other things they might not have learned separately.”
Looking ahead, Sean hopes to expand the program into a full cafe-style space, creating even more opportunities for students.
“Our dream is to make this room more like a cafe,” he said. “It’d be really cool to have seating and a real kitchen.”
At its core, the program is about helping students see what they’re capable of.
“I think I want the kids to know what hard work looks like and that they can do it,” Sean said.