Twice a week, teachers and staff at Central are treated to a fresh cup of coffee, delivered by the “Guys in Ties” coffee cart – a program achieving more than serving up caffeine.
“Guys in Ties,” led by students in the Alternative Curriculum Program, was re-launched by ACP teacher Jamie Johnson in partnership with Business Education teacher Kevin Drwal.
The ACP classroom focuses on functional, academic, behavioral and social emotional growth for students with disabilities. The coffee cart program not only brings coffee to classrooms, but also allows the students to gain hands-on experience in job and financial skills.
“Our students have learned a vast range of skills, leadership, responsibility, and how to work as a team, which will translate to employment after graduation,” Drwal said.
Seniors Markell Buckley, Yaan Buom, Aaron De Arcos Vargas, Junior Deal and Exavier Myers are the leading baristas, dressed in purple aprons and patterned business ties.
Each senior has an assigned role each week. The student may organize inventory, brew coffee, pour cups, greet customers or help with cleanup. Then, the students embark on a four-floor tour in which they hand deliver fresh coffee to participating Central staff.
Deal said, “I like delivering Mr. (Gerald) Kreber and Ms. (Mary) Davies their coffee.”
The goal of the coffee cart is to increase independence in vocational and life skills.
“It has a huge positive effect on our students. Greeting a large number of staff members each day builds confidence while doing something that feels meaningful,” Drwal said.
From managing to constructing orders, each task is designed to give the students the kind of experience they can carry forward.
As the “Guys in Ties” roll their cart through the hallways, students encounter supportive staff members who appreciate their goods and look forward to interacting with them each week.
Exchanges with Social Studies teacher Jay Landstrom and Business Education teacher Jonathan Franta allow Buckley to trade coffee for a “joke of the day.”
“It has been great seeing the guys out in the hallways interacting with students and staff members, giving fist bumps, high fives, or delivering the joke of the day,” Johnson said.
Johnson joined the Alternative Curriculum Program in January. Then in March she proposed a reinvention of “the coffee cart” to Drwal and Assistant Principal and Data Administrator Amy Ellis. The rebranding advertised the service to a larger audience of staff members.
“Thanks to a lot of positive feedback, and creative problem solving, we expanded,” Johnson said. Now, teachers must contribute money to a subscription, in which they can pre-order their personalized drink to be delivered to them.
When not delivering coffee, the “Guys in Ties” will be visiting local businesses. These trips provide diverse experiences for seniors to explore possible career paths, along with the exposure they will get at a post-graduation transition program.
Thanks to the experience gained from working with the coffee cart, Buckley hopes to pursue a job as a barista after graduating from Central in May.
