theordquiz.com

By Kate Wolf
  Michelle Kearns knows a thing or two about how to inspire students, especially those with special needs. Coaching comes naturally to her as she also coaches varsity girls wrestling and serves as head coach for the junior high girls wrestling as well. She is the daughter of Don and Bonita Nelson and graduated from Ord High School (OHS) in 1995. She has extensive experience in childhood development and was hired as a resource teacher for Ord High School five years ago.
  The little business called “Coop Grounds” was Kearns’ idea after checking out programs in other schools. The program established at Aurora High School seemed like a good fit and, with a little tweaking, Coop Grounds was born exactly one year ago.
  Coop Grounds is a coffee shop-type endeavor where students learn the ins and outs of running a business. There are five students who run it on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and four students who handle Wednesdays and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the students deliver coffee as ordered to the teachers’ rooms at Ord High School, even special orders! This past fall they started deliveries to the Ord Elementary School teachers on Wednesdays and Fridays. About three months ago they started offering baked goods as well, an area where expansion is a possibility. They learn the recipes for special order coffees and handle everything from start to finish.
  “They do it all,” Kearns commented. “And they do really well. I mostly supervise.” The coffee is delivered in special “Coop Cups,” metallic go-cups with a safety lid and bearing the Chanticleer logo. The cups allow for safer handling, are environmentally responsible, but also need to be washed afterwards, so the students learn about clean-up duties as well.
  The students participating in the program learn job and business skills, customer service, cooking skills, keeping records, enjoy increased social interaction with both teachers and other students, as well as learning how to do inventory, restocking items, pricing, counting the weekly take, and collecting on IOU’s. A Teachers Candy Box is also a featured benefit managed by the students. 
  “I am an advocate for those kids who can’t do so for themselves,” Kearns explained. “We here at OHS focus on providing as many opportunities as we can for these students because they can do so much more than people think they can. And that goes for ALL students. Let’s give them something they can do! I love to see the students learning new things, out in the school, gaining some independence and learning how to help each other. I love all aspects of it, actually, and hearing the feedback from the teachers.”
  The funds earned through Coop Grounds not only cover its own operating expenses, but it provides a little something extra for special things for the program participants in the resource class. The students love feeling like they are a part of something bigger, something important, and they are learning skills which will stand them in good stead after they graduate from Ord High School.
  “This is why I do what I do,” Kearns concluded. She is a special kind of teacher who inspires, who leads and who gives her students hope for their future.