Slippery Rock Middle School family and consumer science position left vacant
Anna Eckhardt resigned from her position of family and consumer science teacher at Slippery Rock Middle School on July 9. With school starting in about two weeks, Eckhardt is concerned the school will not fill this position in time, leaving students without a family and consumer science class.
For the last eight years, students learned skills in financial literacy, food safety, kitchen safety, nutrition and laundry. Eckhardt taught students how to create a budget and use it to allocate money to savings, investments and shopping for cars. Eckhardt said the class also debated whether the federal minimum wage should be increased.
The kitchen safety unit taught students how to cook, bake and use equipment safely.
“Our cooking and baking unit was anywhere from making omelets to different types of pastas, cookies and a breakfast cook-off,” Eckhardt said.
Students also learned about nutrition and how to incorporate healthy foods into their daily lives.
The course teaches students how to handle and be prepared for real-world situations.
“At its core, family and consumer science prepares students for everyday life. It has helped them become well-rounded, independent individuals,” Eckhardt said. “Which really directly aligns with our district's mission statement of cultivating knowledge and encouraging independence.”
Eckhardt’s decision to step down was difficult, she said, but one she made to focus on her family. She said she believes the class is important for students because it allows them to learn while also feeling successful and capable. Children in her class were always excited to learn.
“It was fun for the kids,” Eckhardt said. “I often had students tell me things like, 'This is the only reason I came to school today,’ as they stirred their pot of mac and cheese or pulled out a tray of cookies.”
Eckhardt and a few others spoke at the Slippery Rock Area School District board meeting Aug. 10 to address concerns about filling her former position. District superintendent Alfonso Angelucci said the district is evaluating the teaching position and a decision to eliminate the position has not been made.
