CCAP's an education for students - and teachers, too!

It's not easy being CCAP.

In fact, it's some trouble.  Just ask any junior or senior who's hoping to compete for scholarship aid and real-world kitchen training.

It's culinary teachers, though, who face sometimes daunting challenges in helping students make it through.

"We couldn't have CCAP throughout Arizona without the culinary teachers who willingly sign up for all of the 'extra work' we present them," says CCAP Arizona Director Jill Smith.

Teachers are first gate keepers, because students must be affiliated with a school that has agreed to the CCAP contract of participation.

This requires teachers to invest time, energy and some dollars in working with CCAP Arizona and in guiding students through significant work in hard and soft culinary/hospitality skill sets.

It also means they're spending additional dollars from already stretched-thin budgets for practice product and other culinary essentials, as well as travel to and from CCAP practices and events. 

This is a big deal. Arizona teachers are consistently asked for more time, more energy, more follow-through on nearly every aspect of school life.

Nonetheless, CCAP teachers say, the trouble, strife and expense are well worth the investment.

As culinary teacher Karla Desper of WAVE JTED says, "CCAP presents benefits to our classes even if we only have one student participating in competition. They're getting industry-level experience.

"CCAP really encourages real-world experience - and they help the students to acquire that experience."

Rex Sherry, culinary teacher in Chinle, is enthusiastic about CCAP's potential for his students. "CCAP starts with competitions, but there are scholarships, networking and real world experiences that are all oriented toward high school students.

"CCAP can be difficult at first, but I work it into my own program. And using Rouxbe helps to extend my own teaching, using the videos as a classroom extension. And my students gain a real understanding of the industry.

"Working with CCAP can be tough in the beginning, But eventually, it saves time in the classroom and you feel and are smarter working with it. It extends you."

Culinary teachers like Shawn Morris, Glendale, see CCAP as a critical opportunity for students.  "I see my job as giving every opportunity possible for my students.  CCAP gives them an introduction to the industry, puts them into contact with the best chefs in town and helps set them up for success."

In keeping with that philosophy, he sets up practices five days a week, makes certain students participate in CCAP activities and pushes them: "Everyone needs someone who pushes them to be better, the best version of themselves. You make a partnership with your students."

(It works, he says. Under his direction so far, 19 Glendale students have received CCAP scholarships, valued at more than $600,000.)

CCAP also presents teachers with opportunities, say Glenna Spurlock from Payson, Marilyn Ornellas from South Mountain and Esther Flannigan from Mountain Institute JTED.

"CCAP somehow always helps how, when and where you need them," Glenna says.

"Students who don't believe they can succeed….with CCAP, they can do something big," Esther adds.

After a dozen years with CCAP, Liberty High culinary teacher Jeff Stanhill is an unabashed booster.

"It's a real opportunity for students," he says. "It takes time and support, but we've had several winners and one big winner.

"Most importantly, while it takes time and support from teachers and the school, there's just not a downside to this. There's nothing I don't like about CCAP."