Male staff cooks up a pancake breakfast for women faculty at TJ.
TJ Chef Jeff Coleman flashes some mad griddle skills. photo by Grant Laman
As part of the school-wide Spartan-Up! project, Computer Magnet Director Matt Spampinato and Assistant Principal Scott Lessard teamed up and arranged a pancake breakfast for the female faculty and staff at the school. In the distant past, these types of activities were more common at TJ. When the Spartan-Up! plan was initiated, the breakfast seemed like a perfect idea to these two educators. “I remember when I first started teaching, the pancake breakfasts were very enjoyable, and I thought it would be fun to bring that tradition back,” stated Spamp.
“The idea was mainly Spamp’s plan, but he recruited me to help put together the breakfast,” commented Lessard. “I used to be a Pack 13, Cub Scouts Leader, and I’ve put together a couple pancake breakfasts in the past.”
Spampinato knew that he wanted to host a breakfast sometime during the second semester. The time came soon in the new year, and the ladies were served pancakes on Tuesday, January 6.
Tuesday served as an appropriate day as it was the last non-contact day for students before returning from break. Many male teachers helped out, including Grant Laman, Stacy Fornstrom, Jerry Esparza, Paul Kirschling, Richard Kern and Danny Showers. Laman was the public relations, Fornstrom and Esparza cooked the sausage, and Showers provided live music on the Piano. Jeff Coleman and Richard Kern were responsible for cooking the pancakes. Kirschling, Spampinato and Lessard acted as hosts, and filled in where needed.
All of the women in the school were invited, and the remainder of the men who were not helping out were welcome to come, as long as a female staff member escorted them. The men then served breakfast to their “dates”, and the meal was enjoyed by all, along with good company and friendly conversation. “I had a really good time,” said Physical Education Teacher Carole Fulkerson. “It was very well-mannered of the men to serve us ladies a fantastic meal.”
The staff plans on holding future breakfasts, as well. ” We have all the materials and griddles for more events, and it was a great way to get all the staff interacting,” stated Spamp.
“I would be happy to do it again. It was good to sit down with fellow faculty members and people who you don’t see as often,” said Lessard. “We didn’t discuss CSAP scores or talk about scheduling; it was just really relaxing and fun.”
The pancake breakfast serves as a good example of the Spartan-Up! philosophy, asking the staff and students of the school to act as true TJ Spartans by demonstrating pride in school and showing compassion for their fellow men and women; and just as important…it’s a great way to have some fun.
