Culinary instructor at Madison East High School recognized with grant for initiatives linked to the school's food pantry.
In the heart of Madison, Wisconsin, Emily Sonnemann, a teacher at East High School, is not just dishing out recipes in her culinary arts classroom, but also feeding the souls of those who need it most.
"These kids are hunting for food that'll make them feel good and help them focus on their tasks at hand," Sonnemann shares.
Post-pandemic, Sonnemann identified a need for a food pantry at East High. Partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank, she established the school market, providing free grub to students and staff.
"It's a source of happiness for me. The kids are effusive and grateful, saying 'thank you so much.' I know they're coming down for breakfast and find the sustenance they need for the day," she says, her voice filled with life.
Recently, Sonnemann was bestowed the Teacher Fellowship Award from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation for her outstanding work within and beyond the classroom.
"I am proud. I'm elated about the recognition, but what gets me most is the uplift it brings to the program here, the opportunities it presents to students," she says.
Her neighbor and friend, Marlisa Condon Kopenski, was the one who nominated her for the award.
"She isn't merely teaching students to cook or manage household finances; she's building a community," Kopenski says.
Sonnemann fosters an inclusive, shame-free environment where the pantry is viewed as a learning resource rather than a sign of hardship.
"It's phenomenal. In a school like East High, where half the students are economically disadvantaged, food is a basic need for learning. Not all kids come to school well-nourished," Kopenski adds.
Volunteer Peg Davey visits East High weekly. "PB&Js are a hit," she mentions. Besides making countless PB&J sandwiches for the pantry, she also penned a letter commending Sonnemann for the award.
"The way she set up the pantry and her classes, she's maximizing the opportunity for students and families to have food," Davey says.
The pantry's goal is to bring a smile to students' faces and ensure they are fed. But for Sonnemann, it's more than that. "It's a constant source of joy for me—giving abundance away is simply amazing," she shares.
Sonnemann started the school market at East High around four years ago. With the grant she received, she hopes the pantry will continue to expand and nourish students and staff in the coming years.
Along with the grant, East High also got a matching grant of $6,000 to bolster learning and school initiatives. These grants will be allocated to the school market.
The 100 teachers bestowed with this award are renowned for their capabilities to ignite a passion for learning, spur students, and lead both within and outside the classroom.
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- Emily Sonnemann's initiative at East High School extends beyond teaching culinary arts; she fosters an environment that promotes personal growth and learning, as she builds a community by addressing basic needs such as access to food.
- Sonnemann's food pantry at East High School not only meets physical needs but also serves as a tool for education and self-development, providing opportunities for students to learn about household management and the importance of nutrition in education and personal growth.
