K-8th Grade STEM Teacher in Flossmoor, IL
Langston Hughes STEM Elementary
2025-26 Fellow: LaTina T. has been teaching for 30 years with Chicago Public Schools! She serves as the STEM Coordinator at Langston Hughes STEM Elementary School. She is a graduate of Chicago State University. Her school has an active Learning Garden, Chicken coop and hydroponics. Students grow their own fresh produce, leading to conversations about healthy eating, where food comes from, and farm-to-table concept. During her time as a fellow she hopes to continue her work with helping her community to see food as more than just fuel but a way to connect to build relationships, share cultural experiences, and build community.
Favorite Food Education Standard: FES #1 – Food connects us to each other and #5 – Food impacts health
A Favorite Food Memory or Recipe:
Food is my superpower! My favorite memories are watching my grandmother in the kitchen and cooking right alongside her as early as 7 years old. Fresh food was always present! Picking fresh greens was and still my thing! My special ingredient to “Tina’s Greens”: curry! Trust and believe!
What I’m Most Excited About as a New Fellow:
The opportunity to collaborate and learn with colleagues. I’m excited to partner with outside resources to bring into my classroom. I’m excited to learn new innovative ideas on how I can bring food education into my classroom.
