Like many teachers, those at Daviess County Public Schools continually strive to provide valuable instruction that transcends the classrooms. A few classrooms have gone above and beyond to enhance the educational experience of their students.
Two Daviess County High School classes have partnered with Stave Coffee to create Panther Perk — a coffee business that teaches students business and life skills. Students at Apollo and Daviess County also co-op at various companies in the community, most notably the Owensboro Parks and Recreation Department.
In addition to preparing, brewing, and serving the coffee, students assist in budgeting, purchasing, and calculating profit margins. The coffee business was an integral part of Daviess County for many years before shutting down due to COVID-19 regulations.
Exceptional Education Instructor Hadley Loucks took the concept, revamped it, and ran with it in her first year teaching at the high school.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for our students who are learning valuable lessons that will transition into daily life,” she said. “Students share in the responsibilities and have a lot of fun doing it; the teachers, administrators, and staff in the building are great supporters.”
Teachers submit their orders for the coffee through an online program. The students can then print out the orders and begin preparing the coffee to each individual’s liking before they hit the halls with their “coffee cart” to deliver.
“The students love interacting with the teachers. I think it’s reciprocal, though,” Loucks said. “They start tallying orders on Monday morning, prepare their cash box, and get the cart loaded and ready to go. When they return from delivering, they balance the earnings for the day.”
At $1 per cup, teachers are getting a deal when it comes to hand-selected and locally roasted Stave coffee. Daviess County alums and brothers John and Jordan Loucks own Stave and cherish the opportunity to donate the coffee at no charge to the classes.
When Superintendent Matt Robbins and his team at the DCPS central office heard about the coffee, they decided to walk across the street to experience it firsthand. Loucks said the kids “sent them on their way with a coffee and a smile.”
At Apollo, teachers are collaborating with their counterparts at Daviess County to implement the coffee program within their classes. They also have plans to revitalize a balloon business that similarly fell victim to the pandemic.
“We’re looking forward to offering these opportunities for our students,” said Apollo teacher Beth Ewing. “The state requires us to fulfill so many hours per semester, and these programs create an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.”
Students in the co-op program perform assignments at Smother’s Park, the Edge Ice Center, Hillcrest Golf Course, and the Hometown IGA. Director of Parks Amanda Rogers said the partnership had been a rewarding experience for everyone involved.
In addition to satisfying their many job requirements, the students must also balance academic and graduation requirements.
“Our students are some of the finest. They never shy away from hard work,” said John Kirkpatrick, a teacher at DCHS whose class also participates. “It’s fulfilling to know that there are others in the building and community that value their skills and efforts. They are continually giving their all both in the classroom and in the community. It’s also worth mentioning that none of this would be possible without the help of some incredible instructional assistants that always strive to put ‘Kids First.'”
