On Friday mornings, The Curiosity Café, a student-run coffee shop at The Learning Center (TLC), is brewing confidence, life skills, and community connections.
“All of our classes in the Curiosity program focus on teaching life skills and community-based instruction to students,” says Vice Principal De’Neisha Tucker. “After the pandemic, we needed a new way for students to develop their skills in a practical and enjoyable way. This café had been in development for a few years, and this is the year it finally came to life.”
Every Friday, students rotate through different roles—taking orders, preparing drinks, or working the cash register. “Each role involves about 10 specific skills,” Tucker explains. “Students are graded on their level of independence, with adult supervisors supporting them as needed.”
When customers arrive, they are handed play money and directed to the order station. Students ask for their drink preferences and additional items before directing them to the cashier to pay. Once the payment is complete, the drinks are prepared and served with care.
“The students love it,” Tucker shares. “The ones working feel a sense of responsibility for having a job and making an impact in their community. And their friends love cheering them on and also ask to be a part of the Coffee Crew!”
The Curiosity Café has quickly become a highlight for the Wheeler campus community, too. “The campus loves it!” shared Tucker. “We serve adults from all four schools, including custodial, security, and operations staff. And who doesn’t appreciate a perfectly crafted coffee on a Friday morning?”
To spread the word, students have even started a promotion team. “They’ve been practicing their socio-emotional and communication skills by telling others about the café—sharing details such as its hours, location, and menu offerings,” Tucker adds.
For the students involved, the café is about much more than making drinks. “This project has been instrumental in helping students combine a variety of life skills,” Tucker explains. “They’re learning sequencing, following recipes, counting money, giving change, time management, and practicing prosocial skills—all in a fun and supportive environment.”
The program has been such a success that plans are already underway to expand. “We’ve been using play money so far, but we’d like to start collecting real funds,” Tucker shares. “That way, students can practice real-life financial decision-making. The response has been so positive, and we’re working to involve even more students.”
The Curiosity Café is more than just a coffee shop—it’s a place where students grow, connect, and thrive. With their hard work and the support of staff, the Coffee Crew is proving that a simple idea can make a big difference.
