Middle school teacher schools kids in cooking, baking
When Courtney Wodarski, our cook of the week from Hoffman Estates, was a little girl, she loved to entertain her family by presenting her own cooking shows. Now, as a middle school consumer science teacher at Lundahl Middle School in Crystal Lake you could say that Courtney stages daily cooking shows for the sixth, seventh and eighth grade students who take her cooking and sewing classes. And she loves it.
"The majority of my students have never cooked or baked before. Some of them come in not knowing how to preheat an oven, or even boil water. These are things they will be doing all their lives!"
Courtney's classes are part of the school's "Encore" curriculum, a rotating enrichment program where students alternate between music, art, Spanish, STEM and consumer sciences. Courtney teaches every sixth grader, because the sixth graders rotate through all the Encore classes every six weeks. The seventh and eighth graders however, get to rank their favorite classes and take them for a trimester.
"The kids love it because it's all hands-on and it's a completely different atmosphere," says Courtney. "They learn to follow directions and problem-solve." Courtney explains that in their first year, the sixth graders learn the basics. They cook in the microwave and do some baking. (Like the three-ingredient indoor S'mores Courtney shows them how to make.) Seventh graders do more baking, and the focus is on the science behind baking. By their third year, the eighth graders are baking and cooking.
"By eighth grade we start to explore flavors and tastes and the kids are more independent. It's really fun to see them grow and expand their knowledge," she says.
When Courtney was in school nothing like this was offered until she was in high school; and she loved those classes.
"It's especially good for those kids who may not be straight-A students - students who may not be the best readers, or the best in science. (Students) in these classes are learning lifelong skills and discovering talents they didn't know they had."
It doesn't hurt that Courtney loves to spice things up with a heaping portion of competition. The seventh graders recently had their own "Cupcake Wars," and the eighth graders get to experience a "Chopped" challenge. Both competitions are modeled after Food Network competition shows.
"I'm a huge Food Network person!" laughs Courtney. Pinterest is another source she uses for inspiration, especially when it comes to finding great recipes for the kids to try.
"I also do a lot of collaborating with other teachers in the district. We share what works and what doesn't."
Those students who want to keep cooking, even after their trimester is over, can join the Cooking Club that Courtney sponsors. She also works with the Poms team - not a surprise when you learn that she's been dancing since she was 3 years old. Obviously, this makes Courtney a very busy person and the natural question to ask is: Does she cook at home? "I get this question so much!" she laughs. "When I get home I want whatever is the easiest thing to make." Courtney is a fan of Food Network's Sandra Lee's semi-homemade philosophy.
"She'll take something frozen and then add something fresh to it. I like meals that just use a few ingredients and are quick."
Courtney shares a quick and delicious Spaghetti Carbonara recipe with us today.
"I also do a lot of crock pot dishes - where I can come home, give it a stir and eat. Then I have leftovers for a day or two." Readers can try her family's Virginia-style barbecue, a tangy pork loin cooked in a slow-cooker.
As a big Chicago sports fan, Courtney enjoys doing it up for the weekend game. Her bacon-wrapped, goat cheese-stuffed dates are a big hit.
Once the weekend is over however, it's back to school. Her students tell her she should have her own cooking show. Not a bad idea. Are you listening Food Network?
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