Teachers all across the building have learned to listen for the rattling of coffee ice cubes in their cups and the sound of a knock at their door. Staff members know that noises such as these could only mean one thing: their coffee has arrived, and it has come from nowhere but the Morgan Coffee Cart.
“Having an extra-tasty cup of coffee just makes Thursdays a little bit easier,” said Ms. Russell, who works in the History department of the school. Along with several other staff members, Ms. Russell gets her coffee—and the occasional cookie—brought to her using the delivery service. While there is a stationary cart in the Upper Hub, many teachers are busy working in the classroom; the Coffee Cart has adapted to making deliveries to better fit the schedules of staff members. “I’m always really looking forward to it.”
Every Thursday, during the long morning minutes of advisory, Mrs. Lawrie and her intensive learning program students are busy prepping and delivering goods to around twenty-five grateful staff members. Due to frequent faculty meetings and professional development falling on Thursdays, the Coffee Cart brings relief to overwhelmed teachers who feel the effects of a long day and an even longer week.
“Thursdays are typically long days for teachers,” explained Mrs. Lawrie. “So we try to do the Coffee Cart on those days sometime around the advisory period.”
The Coffee Cart branches out from delivering coffee by offering several other items, including hot chocolate, tea, and chocolate chip cookies (available gluten free). Coffee is sold both iced or hot, and ice cubes are made entirely out of coffee, ensuring the beverage does not get watered-down while adding an extra flair of flavor. “I love it,” said Mrs. Morrissey, who works in the office at Morgan. She often orders her coffee iced, and enjoys the uniqueness of the frozen-coffee cubes. “It adds to the happiness.” The coffee and cups are generously provided by Julie’s Cup of Joe, a small coffee shop in Westbrook.
The Coffee Cart also proves useful in other fields; teachers are not the only ones who feel the effects of its benefits. “The Coffee Cart is an opportunity for the intensive learning program students to practice a variety of work skills and job-related tasks,” explained Mrs. Lawrie. Math-related tasks such as money counting and data tracking help improve their lifelong skills. Other tasks the intensive learning program students practice during the Coffee Cart include greeting customers, following a system, and cleaning. “The amount of skills that we’re able to address during Coffee Cart is endless.”
Even though the items offered by the Coffee Cart are far from expensive—everything except for iced coffee costs $1, and a cold cup of joe is $2—a staff member’s purchase goes a long way. The money raised by the Coffee Cart is put towards bettering Morgan’s intensive learning program. Mrs. Lawrie and her students use the funding to buy new products for their classroom from local places such as Big Y, enabling them to do enriching activities like their Cooking Around the World event. “We practice trying new things and inviting people into the room,” said Mrs. Lawrie, describing the event. “And we practice our hosting skills.”
Student involvement also plays a large role in the development of the Coffee Cart. The Pal Club allows Huskies to work alongside the intensive learning program students and enables them to attend events such as Cooking Around the World. “You can help us with deliveries,” said Mrs. Lawrie, addressing the students of Morgan. “You can stand at the cart with us and just greet people when they come.” Even simple contributions go a long way to better the functionality and environment of the Coffee Cart.
When the Starbucks line is too long in the morning, many staff members find themselves ordering from the Coffee cart. “When the staff in the building support us, it helps support a number of activities,” said Mrs. Lawrie. She, along with countless other teachers, feel that the Coffee Cart improves both the mornings of teachers and the environment of Morgan itself.
