Breakfast in the Classroom: "Well-fed kids are better learners"

The Ohio Education Association has partnered with the Children's Hunger Alliance in support of the Breakfast in the Classroom program | Learn more here

For more on some of the recent the Breakfast & Beyond District success stories, click here.

Featured guests: 

Brenda Lemon, Logan Education Association PresidentA veteran educator, Ms. Lemon began her career teaching Spanish and English. She was a classroom teacher for 18 years and received her Master's degree in Library and Information Science. She currently serves as the Library Media Specialist for Logan-Hocking Local School District.Sheri Nott, Logan Education Association Vice PresidentSheri Nott is a second grade teacher for the Logan Hocking School District. This is her 17th year teaching. Karen Lloyd, Indian Creek Education Association President After 24 years teaching preschool in the public schools, Ms. Lloyd became a first grade teacher about five years ago. In addition to her leadership role in her local association, she serves as president of the Eastern Ohio Education Association 

In this episode:

“They say that's the most important meal of the day, so with Breakfast in the Classroom, they're all being fed, they all get to eat, and it's cut down on those complaints about their tummies and being hungry so that we can focus more on our education" - Sheri NottBreakfast in the Classroom in Logan-Hocking Schools1:45 - Breakfast in the Classroom basics2:15 - The move away from serving breakfast to eligible students in the cafeteria to serving all students in their classrooms2:45 - The problems with starting the day on an empty stomach and the stigma around accepting food when peers don't get it3:30 - The need in the Logan-Hocking district, a rural district on the edge of Appalachia 4:15 - Bringing Breakfast in the Classroom to Logan-Hocking schools: Learning from others, looking for grants, and advocating as a local union5:30 - Growing the Breakfast in the Classroom program from the idea phase in 2016 to now6:20 - Making adjustments to make the program work: "A soft start to the day"8:15 - Starting the day ready to learn9:15 - Menu options10:45 - Addressing the food insecurity and safety challenges of feeding kids during the pandemic12:25 - Talking to other educators about implementing Breakfast in the Classroom programs in their own schools: "Breakfast in the classroom is just feeding kids, so don't overthink it. Just do what we know is right. The science tells us that well-fed kids are better learners. We know that nutrition in early life impacts your health for the rest of your life. We hear all of these things about trauma informed care and taking care of students who are in stressful situations. Certainly food insecurity, not knowing where that next meal is coming from, would be one of those stressful situations."“Sure, there were concerns about students eating in some areas of buildings and things like that, but once we had that buy in and we were all able to give our ideas and our input, I feel like it took off for us." - Brenda LemonThe Indian Creek School District's successful feeding programs | Click here for more details on the district's efforts14:30 - Bringing the Breakfast in the Classroom program idea back from an OEA RA and getting local buy in14:50 - Addressing behavioral issues and a lag mid-morning lag in academic effort through feeding programs16:00 - The high demand for feeding programs in Indian Creek schools17:00 - Expanding feeding programs beyond the Breakfast in the Classroom program and gaining recognition as a Breakfast and Beyond district18:20 - The difference the Breakfast in the Classroom program has made for Indian Creek's kids19:00 - Combatting concerns about a mess in the classroom: "It's really doable. Everybody can work together and this can be accomplished in any building."20:15 - Nourishing bellies and nourishing brains“It has really helped. The children get their work done, they eat their breakfast, the teachers embrace it, no one is embarrassed to take a bag because the majority of their friends are eating it. It has just really been a blessing to our students in our district." - Karen Lloyd

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About us:

The Ohio Education Association represents more than 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May, 2020, after a ten-year career as a television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She was suffering from a minor cold while recording this episode but is feeling much better now...

This episode was recorded in late April, 2021.