The clock hits seven in the morning. It’s a bright Friday ending a long school week. The halls by the main office are scented with the smell of fresh homemade muffins and steaming coffee.

Participating teachers assemble in the main teachers lounge for a “Meet, Greet and Eat” that is a part of the project based learning the district has been working on for improvements in our schools. Spanish teacher Ms. Jessica Dudley suggested the idea of bringing the teachers together with a meet, greet and eat.

“This year we were given by our administration a focus group where we think of a problem we have in our school, or something that you would like to improve, then try to create a solution,” Ms. Dudley said. “My old school that I worked at in Minnesota did a ‘Meet Greet and Eat.’ I’ve proposed this idea to a couple of other organizations in our school.”

By the main office, participating teachers meet in the main teachers lounge to socialize. Ms. Dudley believes teachers should have the opportunity to be social with coworkers they don’t see on a daily basis. 

“The idea is to get to see people that you don’t normally get to see,” Ms. Dudley said. “The goal is to not talk about school, it’s to kinda talk about family, the weekend or plans.” 

Mrs. Dudley sent out an email to the staff and approximately 17 people responded to it saying they’re interested. English teacher Ms. Amanda Shropshire thinks the “Meet, Greet and Eat is a perfect idea to bring teachers around our building together. 

“Our building is so big I felt like sometimes we don’t get to see each other unless we’re teaching in the same hallway,” Ms. Shropshire said. “I was excited that we have an opportunity where we can all get together, talk and enjoy each other’s company.” 

They have breakfast on the first Friday of every month in the main teacher’s lounge by the main office. Likewise, math teacher Ms. Kassandra Gravely feels this is a good opportunity to get to know the teachers at this school.

“I thought it was a great idea,” Ms. Gravely said. “This is my fifth year here and I still don’t know everyone on the other side of the building so I thought it would be a good chance to meet some teachers I don’t know yet.” 

The first meeting took place in December leading into the second semester. Ms. Dudley hopes the routine will stick and continue the beginning of next school year. 

“My goal is to continue this next year at the beginning of the school year,” Ms. Dudley said. “We need to get more people involved.”