Students Learn Culinary and Business Skills at WV Schools for the Deaf and the Blind

Charleston, W.Va. — As part of Public Schools Week, the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) is pleased to highlight a new offering at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB). Students are exploring new learning opportunities through the school’s Appalachia Provisions Café. This career technical education (CTE) Simulated Workplace was recently opened on the WVSDB’s campus in Romney. Students work with their instructor to run the business that provides the school and the community at-large with fresh coffee, tea, pastries and sandwiches.

The WVSDB’s latest CTE expansion is a part of the school’s Academy for Career Connections, where students gain hands-on training in a variety of CTE fields. These meaningful work-based programs prepare future employees for high-demand real-world jobs.

Chef Brian Olden offers students who are deaf and hard of hearing and/or blind and low vision unique experiences in food service, customer service and business operations by integrating CTE into the curriculum. WVSDB students gain valuable workplace readiness skills and explore career options in a supportive environment.

“At West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind’s Simulated Workplace, we really strive to engage the students in what an actual workplace would be outside of school,” said Chef Olden. “It’s important for our students to have access to CTE programs like this while they’re in high school. We help them develop their skills here so that they can take that training out into the community and work at local businesses.”

The café is located in the WVSDB Blue and Gold Building and its hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.