Teacher interns, a group of six Penn-Trafford senior students, will lead special education students working at the coffee shop and in the classroom.
One of those interns is Emma Jones, who is looking to pursue a major in special education next fall.
“I help them count the money on the register, then help them make sure the coffee shop is stocked,” Jones said.
Run by special education students and guided by teacher interns and P-T teaching staff, the coffee shop is a hub for growing real-world life skills.
After receiving orders from other high-school students, special education students create the drink or retrieve the items requested before calling out the name of the customer. They bake the cookies from scratch and complete orders during their assigned class period, receiving a paycheck at the end of the month for their work.
After managing the coffee shop periods one through four, these students spend the afternoon working at the school store.
“All the customers and all the kids working in the coffee shop makes me really happy and makes my love for teaching grow,” Jones said.
Along with the interns and special education students, teacher Kristina Matthews was also added to the coffee shop’s recipe for success.
Matthews, job coach and teacher at the coffee shop, begins her first year at the High School after spending seven years in the special education department at P-T elementary schools.
“I never thought I would [work at the High School]. I loved elementary,” Matthews said.
After receiving news that a job opening appeared at the High School, Matthews was hesitant before eventually making the switch.
“For some reason, I said ‘I’ll give it a try,’ and I love it. It’s a blast.”
Matthews worked with PTHS special education teacher Tara Enick to maintain the coffee shop’s success for this school year.
Limited-edition drinks and cookies will be available once again during the holidays. The pumpkin-spice lattes currently featured are part of a special fall-themed menu.
Students can purchase items from the coffee shop during first through fourth periods during their study hall. When purchasing, students are expected to remain respectful.
“Our number one rule is to be patient and kind with our students. They’re really good people,” Matthew said.