Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation Recognizes Hopkins FACS Teacher

Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation named Hopkins High School family and consumer sciences teacher Gayle Durand as its 2011 ProStart Teacher of Excellence.

ProStart is a two-year culinary arts and food service management program for high school students. The program offers a mix of classroom study, mentored work experience and local and national competitions.

Hopkins High School launched its ProStart program in 2008. Durand helps her students gain experience by involving them in staff luncheons, catering events and school district opportunities—serving anywhere between 12 customers and 150. She also brings back former students who became chefs to share their skills and experience with the classes.

In the culinary competition of Minnesota's ProStart Invitational, her students placed first in 2008 and third in 2010.

Durand’s recognition as the Minnesota honoree puts her in contention for the National Restaurant Association's James H. Maynard Excellence in Education Award, which honors two ProStart teachers. Winners will be announced May 21 during the association’s show in Chicago.

Recognition is not new to Durand, who has taught family and consumer sciences in Hopkins since 2000. The American Culinary Federation Minnesota Chapter named Durand its teacher of the year three years ago.