Fostering empowered and collaborative communities that inspire all learners
Baldwin High School's new student-run cafe, the Baldwin Bean, opened for business November 2, 2018. The cafe functions as a real-world learning environment for students in a variety of disciplines. This is an expansion of the already-successful Partners Model that incorporates an inclusive work environment for individuals with and without disabilities and has already been implemented in physical education and music classes. Baldwin Bean provides the chance for dozens of students with complex learning needs to participate in various opportunities centered around job development. This cafe offers an ideal setting for students to hone skills, such as customer-service and money skills, in a constructive environment. Students will learn transferable skills for many different jobs—it's an excellent resume-builder and will prepare students for careers after high school. Additionally, the entire Baldwin High School community has been involved in the planning of this new undertaking, demonstrating the educational opportunities the cafe facilitates. The students have enthusiastically taken to the project and shown initiative and ownership.