Gonzaga University: Creating Spaces

written by Rebekah Willhite featuring Rebekah Willhite Photography

Currently, I am a special programs employment specialist, or job coach, at a high school. I support students who experience a dis/ability (a term that reflects the whole person's abilities) in their post-secondary goals. In September of 2021, I was asked to take the lead in our school-based coffee cart. I have never operated an espresso machine or run a business. My philosophy is to never ask a student to complete a task that I have not mastered. This was an unfamiliar space.

My first goal was to create a syllabus for a World of Work class that would provide the foundation for baristas-in-training. I paired my vocational training experience and COML 510 Communication, Teaching and Pedagogy course work to craft expectations.

Our baristas started with cold brews, flavored Italian sodas and lemonades. I encouraged students to experiment with flavors; some of the beverages looked like something from Shrek’s swamp. I realized the barista training could be perceived as chaos. Our systems were not defined and baristas were learning the value of teamwork. Thanks to my COML 598 International & Intercultural Communication course I recognized our "chaos" was collaborative leadership in action. Every barista was engaged, invested and learning.

As our barista training continued, I began to look at the business side of the coffee cart. The previous year’s expenses were $3,000. I had an idea; what if our coffee cart operated as a non-profit? I utilized my new graduate school writing skills and wrote a grant. The coffee cart received $2,000 almost immediately. To date, I have raised almost $3,000. This meant that I could afford to provide a free 8-ounce drink. Each month, our team creates a special that is our featured free drink. These creations are rooted in the skills they learned during those intitial "chaos" days.

The entire school engaged in our coffee cart. One week we “sold” 161 drinks. A newspaper student designed a dual promotion sticker for our cups. Leadership students painted our sign. Several students created drinks that are featured on the menu like a wrestler who created The Double-Leg which is a hot chocolate with both whipped cream and marshmallows. The coffee cart is an integrated space where everyone is welcome.

Our baristas are learning how to operate a commercial espresso machine. The steaming wand appears to be a magical wand of empowerment. Their latte skills are stellar. Just last week, they made a watermelon latte for a customer. Yes, a watermelon latte!

Four months into our training, two baristas earned an assistant manager position which included trading in their red apron for a white one. Both baristas asked if they could take them home to show their mothers. One student had to model their white apron including the classic look-at-my-dress swirl. Our principal included their accomplishments in a school-wide announcement.

The coffee cart “manager’s” desk is a 1950’s table that was on the way to surplus. I added the desk to provide a space to conduct mock interviews. One day, I was walking by during lunch and saw a student eating there. I introduced myself and let them know they were always welcome. These days it is unusual to see the manager's desk empty during lunch. One morning I noticed writing on our staff calendar. It was a Thank You note for simply providing a space to sit.

The coffee cart was redesigned with an intention to provide a space for every student in our building. In every step, I applied tools acquired from my Gonzaga University graduate school studies. From drafting a syllabus, to writing an effective grant request and ensuring my Jesuit education was part of every decision.

Rebekah Willhite

January 29, 2022

Author’s Note

A Jesuit education is a unique space where students feel encouraged and supported. To learn more, click here:

https://www.gonzaga.edu/about/our-mission-jesuit-values/mission-statement

I am on-track to graduate in December of 2022 with a master's in communication and leadership (COML) with a concentration in teaching. If you are interested in the program, click here:

https://www.gonzaga.edu/online-graduate-programs/online-programs/m-a-communication-leadership-studies

My position is funded by the Youth Transition Program. If you would like to learn more about work-based learning, click here:

https://ytp.uoregon.edu/

Please note due to confidentiality concerns, there are no photos available of the coffee cart in action. Thank you for your grace and understanding.