Amanda Tharp
Samuel Clemens High School,
Schertz, Texas

Students enrolled in Amanda Tharp's cooking class learn more than cooking skills. They learn how to turn on a washing machine, iron a shirt, tie a tie -- even balance a check book.

"I feel really strongly about preparing kids for life after high school, life on their own," says Tharp. She's the culinary arts instructor at Samuel Clemens High School in Schertz, Texas, and a mother of three. "Because they're not taught anywhere else in the school, I just feel passionate about it -- this is something we need to add and squeeze in whenever we can."

With a degree in family consumer science, Tharp teaches classes in culinary arts, food science and nutrition. And in just her second year of teaching, she's already doubled her enrollment.

Her classes include special needs students as well as advanced placement students. Her female-to-male ratio is slightly higher in the culinary arts class. But in her food science and nutrition classes, the students are overwhelmingly male.

"They smell the food...in the hallways," says Tharp with a laugh. "I think that's one thing." Her second period includes the basketball team, and her seventh period -- the football team.

Becoming a teacher was a career change for Tharp. She worked in child-care center management and property management before returning to school to earn her teaching certificate. "This is what I've always wanted to do," she says. "It's what I'm passionate about. I feel like it's what I'm good at."

Every day is different in Tharp's classes. From chili cook-offs to Cajun dinners or tiramisu, the menu is always changing. A recent student herself, Tharp works to make her classes interesting with lots of activity and hands-on opportunities. She also offers a relaxed class atmosphere. "I have music playing in the background all the time. So, every now and then, someone will break into dance."

Setting rules and being consistent with the rules is the most challenging part of her job. "You want kids to like you, but at the same time, they really need that structure," she says.

Her efforts have gained her recognition at her school and in her community. Last year, even as a first-year teacher, she was nominated for teacher of the year at her school. The Education Foundation also recently honored her with the Teacher Excellence Award in her district.

But even beyond her classes, Tharp is making a difference at her school. Last year, while teaching the interior design class, she secured donations from businesses to redecorate the teacher's lounge, complete with leather couches and a massage chair.

And later this year, she'll celebrate the grand opening of Buffalo Bistro, an in-school restaurant. The restaurant will give her culinary arts students practice in a real-world work setting.

The reaction among students has been delicious. Even the art department and interior design students want to help. "They can't wait," says Tharp. "They're so excited.... The response has been overwhelming."

Bridges Transitions congratulates Amanda Tharp for making a difference in the lives of her students and colleagues.

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