3rd Grade Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Art Teacher in Bronx, NY
PS072 Dr William Dorney
2024-25 Fellow Victoria Velez has been teaching in New York City for 10 years. They got interested in the Pilot Light Fellowship when they saw how it mixes nutrition with core subjects. It seemed like a fantastic way to make learning about food both fun and exciting! Victoria is pumped about bringing the nutrition program to her school. She thinks adding these lessons to an urban community like NYC will boost their well-being and help them live healthier lives. Plus, it’s a great chance to make learning about food engaging and fun for everyone.
Favorite Food Education Standard:
#5 – Food impacts health sits with me the most right now because it gives our bodies the nutrients they need to stay strong and fight off illness. Basically, good food helps our bodies heal and feel better. When we’re under the weather, eating the right foods can help us bounce back quicker by boosting our immune system and giving us energy. Good food helps us heal and feel better. With the right mix of herbs and nutritious foods, we can create meals that really help our bodies recover.
A Favorite Food Memory or Recipe:
One of the recent coolest experiences in the classroom was making butter with the students and their parents. It was amazing to see how simple ingredients turned into butter with just a bit of elbow grease and teamwork. The kids were fascinated by the process, and the parents loved getting involved. After the butter was ready, we spread it on fresh bread or crackers and enjoyed it together. It was such a fun, hands on way to learn about food, and everyone had a blast seeing the results of their hard work.
What I’m Most Excited About as a New Fellow:
I’m really excited to connect with people who share my interests and goals. Getting to work with passionate professionals and expand our network in food education is a big motivator for me. Plus, I’m looking forward to learning new skills, getting advice from experienced mentors, and diving deeper into food systems and education. Seeing the positive impact of my work and contributing to meaningful change is definitely what I am excited about.
