Pacific Grove High School Culinary Arts Program

I am applying on behalf of all of the students in the Pacific Grove Unified School District, through my ProStart Culinary Arts Pathway -- a 4-year Career Technical Program aligned with the National Restaurant Association -- at Pacific Grove High School.  The goal of my school and my department is to enrich curriculum and broaden student exposure to career options by building career technical pathways.  Our pathways currently include Fine Art, Photography, Sports Medicine, Culinary Arts, and Computer Science.  My program is one of the oldest, but since I took over the program 5-years ago, I've been dedicated to creating a state-of-the-art program that connects students with real job skills and opportunities.  As department co-chair, I have put an emphasis on collaborating with all departments on campus.  Our cross-curricular lessons and activities give students broader exposure to course content and allows them to make real-world connections.  My classroom is a campus "safe space" where students know they can feel at home, respeced, welcomed, and not judged.  There is always food, someone to talk to, and space to be one's self.  Outside of my classroom, students, parents, and community members have built the foundation for an outdoor garden classroom space.  It is our desire, as a school and community, to make this empty space a place of learning, discovery and growth for all -- Not only our high school community, but our two elementary schools, middle school and adult school as well.