Food Education is a vital part of students' development.

🌟Today`s Fellow Friday spotlight is on: Cynthia A.!

🏫 “I have been teaching for almost 29 years at the same school in Hyde Park. I first became interested in the Pilot Light Fellowship after working with A Seat at the Table in partnership with @the.evolved.network initiative. I am most looking forward to exploring and experiencing different types of food with my students that are reluctant to try new food items because of how it looks or smells. I was born in Accra, Ghana and came to Chicago in August of 1977. I’ve taught First, Second, and Third Grade students all at Ray Elementary School over the past 28 years. I love to travel, be out in nature, and spend time with my friends and family. I also enjoy reading, exercising, and cooking. I received my bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois at Chicago and my master’s from DePaul University.”

💚 A Favorite Food Memory or Recipe:
"My favorite food memory is from my childhood. On birthdays, when I was young your parents would get a fresh chicken on your behalf and cook it with fresh vegetables and spices. Everyone will gather in the family compound and celebrate with you. Eating fresh chicken is a very special treat when I was growing up, because meat was expensive. The flavor of fresh chicken and the joyous feeling of being with family and friends has always made my birthday special. Fifty some years later, I’m still remembering the excitement."

🍴Recent Pilot Light lessons:
So far this school year, Cynthia`s 2nd graders have made gingerbread cookies together, learned about the history of rice, celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by researching different food cultures of Hispanic nations & made a delicious fresh salsa together, learned all about pumpkins and apples and even made homemade, additive-free applesauce!

Thanks for being a part of Pilot Light, Cynthia!👏

#teachershoutout #fellowfriday #pilotlightchefs #foodeducation #teacherspotlight ...

Food is the most universal — and overlooked — subject. Pilot Light equips students with the knowledge and confidence to connect what they learn in school to the food they eat every day, empowering them to advocate for themselves, their health, and their communities.

Discover all the incredible impact your support has had on Pilot Light’s national community of students and educators by reading the full 2024-25 School Year Impact Report today! Find it on our website: www.pilotlightchefs.org.

#pilotlightchefs #foodeducation #foodliteracy ...