Food Education is a vital part of students' development.

"Food is a language all of its own." Food Education can connect teachers and students together in unexpected ways! One story from Monica Chamberlain, @mmaldrich5 Food Education Fellowship Alum & 6th grade teacher, demonstrates the unique way food can transform classrooms for learners of all abilities, backgrounds, and demographics:

“I have had students functioning at a kindergarten level all the way through 6th grade level in the same classroom…everyone had Food Education throughout the year,” despite the need to modify lessons to fit all of her students’ needs and abilities.

One of Monica’s students, Asher*, has verbal apraxia. “He knows what he wants to say, but he can’t always get it out,” says Chamberlain. “At the beginning of the year, I was like, ‘boy, how am I going to navigate this?`” The answer? Food Education.

“Food has definitely connected him and I, because food is a language all of its own. He worked with me all year long in the kitchen, creating life skills.” Together, Monica and Asher found common ground through the language of food.

*Student name has been changed to protect anonymity.
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This month, we`re celebrating the incredible Special Education teachers we`ve been fortunate enough to work with through our Food Education Fellowship for National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Learn more about how these stellar educators use food to teach special education students on our blog at pilotlightchefs.org!

#spedteachers #spedteachersrock #classroomstories #specialeducation #nationaldevelopmentaldisabilitiesmonth #pilotlightchefs #foodeducation #apraxiaawareness #teaching #teachingstories #teacherspotlight #teachingwithfood #foodconnectsus #foodeducatesus ...

🌟Today`s Fellow Friday Spotlight is on: Ms. Stone!

🏫 Ms. Stone has been teaching for 13 years. They first became interested in the Pilot Light Fellowship when her co-worker and Fellow Garden Gal (@okeeffesoe
School Garden), Claire O`Connor raved about her experience with the fellowship and they are looking forward to making the garden to classroom instruction connection during their time as a Fellow. As a preschool teacher, Ms. Stone has a passion for hands on, holistic and multidisciplinary learning opportunities. She is excited to focus more on science this school year and is eager to learn all she can during her time in the fellowship program.

🌱 Why Join the Fellowship?
"I am truly excited to learn! I have a bunch of ideas floating around in my mind but I want to stock up my teacher tool box with all the amazing resources and ideas that will be available to me."

💚 Food Education Love
"My favorite classroom food experience is "Ms. Stone`s Cooking Show!" Pre-pandemic on Friday`s I would try out simple recipes and food studies with my students. My favorite by far is making fresh guacamole! O`Keeffe plans on having a Salsa Garden every year for onsite ingredients."

Thank you for all of your work in this year`s Fellowship, Ms. Stone! 👏

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#foodeducation #pilotlightchefs #teacherspotlight #teacherappreciation #foodeducatesus #teaching #foodmemories #foodknowledge #teachershoutout #teachingideas #teachingmethods #prekteachers #spedteachers #spedteachersrock #preschool ...