In the midst of Wednesday’s first period at Metea, the bitter tang of coffee wafts around the concession stand. Behind the counter, aprons are tied, name tags straightened, and students are ready to serve their eager line of customers.
Metea Bean, a student-run coffee shop, is much more than just a place to grab caffeine before class.
For nearly a decade, this Wednesday morning program has quietly transformed the way special education students connect with their school community, giving them hands-on vocational training while serving much-enjoyed coffees, hot chocolates, and donuts to staff and students alike.
“It’s a really good program,” said vocational coordinator Sarah Stoodley. “The kids love it, and the staff loves it.”
The Metea Bean is one of several in-house jobs designed to help students build real-world workplace skills before transitioning into community employment opportunities.
“We created it to one, bridge the gap between the school community and our students in special education,” Stoodley said, “But also for them to develop vocational skills in the areas of customer service, social communication, their math skills with taking money… following a task list, following an order, making eye contact.”
Every Wednesday from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m., students run nearly every aspect of the business. They purchase supplies in the community, stock inventory, brew drinks, operate the register, clean the shop, and track sales.
The menu has expanded over the years. In addition to coffee, the Metea Bean now sells tea, hot chocolate, apple cider, water, soda, and donuts.
But the heart of the program is not the menu. It is the students standing behind the counter.
For freshman Marquez Wheeler, the job is about more than coffee.
“I like to talk to people and make coffee,” said Wheeler. “I have learned to remember people’s orders, to make eye contact, and use the Keurig machine.”
Nearby, freshman Angel Villalobos stocks supplies and brews drinks alongside his classmates.
“I like to make coffee and see the teachers,” Villalobos said. “I have learned to be patient, make coffee, and stock supplies.”
Senior Daniel Melody works the register as a cashier, greeting customers as they approach the counter.
“I think working at Metea Bean is very cool,” Melody said. “I like to make coffee and sell donuts. I also like asking people questions.”
The Metea Bean does not exist simply to turn a profit. Though the shop earns money through rink and pastry sales, Stoodley says that is not the main objective.
“The purpose of the program is to really develop the students’ vocational skills,” she said. “So really, if we break even, great.”
Any extra revenue is reinvested into the larger vocational program, known as Metea Works, which has included projects such as mason jars, cookie kits, hand-painted mugs, T-shirts, and holiday-themed crafts.
Still, the most meaningful returns cannot be counted in dollars.
▸ Rude or obscene language (i.e. swear words, sexual jokes, violent threats, etc.)
▸ Hate speech (i.e. racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.)
▸ Insults towards a specific student or a teacher
▸ Content that is irrelevant to the article or does not add to the discussion
▸ Submitting comments under somebody else's name
Refer to the student handbook for further specifics on what is considered appropriate.
The Social Media Editor will read and evaluate all comments. Should there be any issues with a particular comment, the Social Media Editor will consult the newspaper adviser and Online Editor-in-Chief.