Mrs. Henderson, teacher of the foods science pathway has led many students to have a successful experience here at Armuchee High School. Whether it was through her teachings of safety in the kitchen, history of culinary recipes, and how foods are processed, or interactive labs. This creates experiences provided to students, resulting in positive outcomes for students’ futures. Senior student, Allie Stockton, said, “ Mrs. Henderson has positively impacted my experience at AHS. Mrs. Henderson is like a teacher that you can have a flowing conversation with and she never fails to make me laugh”. With Mrs. Henderson’s positive learning environment created for students, students become influenced to have more exciting times in the classroom, creating both lasting memories in the class and a successful outcome in their school performance. Not only does Mrs. Henderson make differences in the students’ lives, but the students make differences in her life. Mrs. Henderson said, “Students here have impacted me in a positive way, making the experience an enjoyable one”.
Mrs. Henderson has been able to maintain a positive atmosphere not only through her attitude, but her engaging times in new labs, and a variety of activities that align with standards taught in the classroom. Allie Stockton said, “She balances fun with school work which I think is very important”. Her tactics to engage students into learning provides each student with an experience to remember. Through labs, students are presented with the opportunity to bond with peers and learn how to work with others, creating fun times for both Mrs. Henderson and the students. Not only are memories created but tasty treats are formed to enjoy and have to go! One fun experience that senior student Abbie Carson had in food science class was making mashed potatoes. She said, “ I had fun cooking them with my group, and it was a fun memory that I will cherish forever.” Allie Stockton said, “ I also enjoyed making the mashed potatoes because the cooking with my freinds was so fun!” Aside from all the learning in the classroom, being able to enjoy days in the lab while conjuring up not just food, but more friends, opportunities, and memorable times, gifts students a motivation in the class, for it is well known that you cannot participate in labs if you are failing the class. With this in mind students now see their work as an opportunity to get closer and closer to each upcoming lab.
There are many cases where students or people in general are not too good in the kitchen. Thankfully this course prepares young adults proper kitchen etiquette while giving students a break from essays, tests, benchmarks, etc.. Students in this class are able to find relief through learning about culinary history, and/or Kitchen tips. A sophomore student, Regan Latham, said, “ This class is easy and fun”. Mrs.Henderson finds a way to make this class easy and productive all at the same time. Senior student, Carlie Wolfer, said, “Not only does the class improve household skills, but it’s a flexible class that does not add a lot of homework to your schedule”. Mrs. Henderson has managed to find a perfect balance for her students while still maintaining the necessary lessons and facts along with practice in the classroom. For example Carlie Wolfer had learned that germs are not fully cleaned off your hands unless washed for 25 seconds, and now she ensures to wash her hands the whole 25 seconds.
It is through Mrs. Henderson that students capture and define what Armuchee is through their actions. They apply the concept “WE>ME” not just in the classroom but everywhere after witnessing her selfless teachings. The impact made is long lasting and nothing but a positive one.
