 The partnership between Goldenview Middle School and Alaska Coffee and Restaurant Equipment is a young and ambitious one. The two teamed up last fall, and have come to rely on each other a great deal in a very short time.
For years, the Goldenview Middle School Suns Café has been a popular elective course that provides direct instruction and sales experience for students. The kids receive training in food service and must be certified in order to handle food products. The Café is open to the entire student body and staff before school opens and into first period. In addition, the Café is open for parent teacher conferences, sporting events, theatrical performances, and other school activities.
Under the guidance of teacher Leslie Moore, the success of the café has grown exponentially. There was a huge demand for increased café offerings, which meant the café class needed more equipment and professional guidance!
Luckily, another teacher at Goldenview knew Wes Kerlin, the general manager of Alaska Coffee and Restaurant Equipment (ACRE). When Mr. Kerlin learned of the school’s need for help, he did not hesitate. He has helped elevate the class to a new level by providing free training, guidance, mentoring, and professional expertise to the Suns Café teacher and students. ACRE staff communicates with students on a weekly basis about their inventory and emergency needs, business management ideas, and coffee history knowledge. ACRE allows the Suns Café to test market new products, as they recently did with Omega Bars. Best of all: whenever questions arise, the class can count on immediate feedback from ACRE staff.
The most positive aspect of this partnership is the desire and on-call readiness of ACRE to help with the Suns Café and students’ needs. Suns Café teacher Leslie Moore says, “Wes Kerlin has personally taken us under his wing! The bottom line is, it’s nice to have feedback from a real coffee professional – they call me back when I’m stress’n!” This teacher and her students are receiving professional guidance, in real time, from the best in the business.
The partnership benefits Alaska Coffee as well. It provides ACRE the rare opportunity to train young employees on the latest technologies, while at the same time advertising its company and products.
Clearly, good things are brewing between Alaska Coffee and Goldenview Middle School. Keep up the good work! |
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