Emily Williams placed packets of shredded cheese, mixing bowls, knives and more on tables in an agricultural barn next to a livestock show ring at the Oglethorpe County UGA Extension Office. She then plugged in a handheld blender and heated a griddle in the back kitchen.
Her final touch was a piece of paper on each table with directions for a classic Cinco De Mayo dish: quesadillas and salsa.
She made sure the special education students from Oglethorpe County High School and middle school had everything they needed for a cooking class designed to promote independent living skills on May 6.
“I like to make things seasonal and fun,” said Williams, the UGA FACS extension agent for Oglethorpe County. “When we started school, we made turkey wraps with homemade dressing to go with it. We’ve made pumpkin pancakes.”
The monthly class, which Williams started in the spring of 2025, teaches students how to follow recipes, use certain household appliances and encourages them to try new foods.
“The first main life skill that they’re learning is just working in the kitchen in a way that they can be successful,” she said. “And then also we add on cleaning up after yourself, basic food safety tips, basic nutrition tips.”
During the class, students cut their own onions, measured cheese and used a griddle and a small, handheld blender to create their final product. After the cooking was finished, students ate the meal that they had made.
OCHS student Dallas Miller said that is his favorite part of the class.
Special education teacher Rebecca O’Tuel said the class has been successful in encouraging students to try new and unfamiliar foods.
“It’s really encouraged a lot of our kids who are not very adventurous eaters to try different things,” O’Tuel said.
Along with cooking, there was also a portion of the class dedicated to physical activity. Students rotated through four stations, focusing on strength, cardio, balance and a “fun movement” station.
The independently healthy cooking class isn’t the only program the county has for special education students.
Oglethorpe County High School has a program called Patriot Perk, where students prepare and deliver coffee to staff and faculty.
“Our students are responsible for preparing, delivering the coffee, reading the delivery list, reading the orders,” O’Tuel said.
O’Tuel’s students also run the OCHS school store, which sells chips, candy and other goods.
“My students either help fill orders or they’re helping me with the cash box,” she said. “We can learn those customer service skills, those listening skills, money handling skills.”
The students participating in the program not only work within the school, but also travel into the community. The group goes on trips to purchase items for the school store and for Patriot Perk.
The group has also cleaned tables and done custodial work at Cicis Pizza.
“I feel like now we see a lot more growth in giving them independence and having them learn these life skills,” Williams said. “The goal as an educator, one way or another, is to prepare them for life after school. That part I wanted to fill is just to give them that little piece that can give them some independence when they leave high school.”