Pony Brew provides job experience to special needs students
April 23, 2022
The Pony Brew is a coffee shop located in B116 and is run by special education students. It is part of a class called Work Experience taught by special education teachers Jon Hinzman and Jon Matel. The class and Pony Brew together build social skills and experience in a work setting.
The Pony Brew develops essential transition skills for students who are more inspired by joining the workforce than going to college. They do this by encouraging interpersonal communication and teamwork amongst its workers, as well as with customers and bosses.
Hinzman stated that the goal is to “have a smile on our face while developing transition skills and learning how to work with other people.”
In a time where some students are attending college less, many teachers like Matel find it useful to have classes directly focused on building skills for the workforce. He and many others commonly question the extent to which many high school curriculums will help people not attending a University.
Senior Kaia Goldstrand said she thinks it is great that the school is getting people ready for life after high school. She believes it is something that should continue to be put into everyday school life.
When I came, Pony Brew was a small mobile cart in the commons area…when COVID hit, it got shut down so we had to think differently about how to go about it, so we started a delivery service.
— Jon Hinzman
The day to day school life of a student who works at Pony Brew consists of working with Hinzman and Matel during hours one, two, or three. The five minutes between periods is where the most customers come in. Once the crowd slows, the team begins tackling other jobs.
Matel described a few tasks students tend to take on, “once we get caught up with customers, they handle tasks like refilling the water in the machines, counting the money and recycling the K cups.”
The Pony Brew is very optimistic about the growth and success they have seen, as well as the future success of their class. They have converted a small coffee shop to a program that provides thorough work experience with rich coffee and delicious pastries for the whole school.
“When I came, Pony Brew was a small mobile cart in the commons area,” Hinzman explained. “When COVID hit, it got shut down so we had to think differently about how to go about it, so we started a delivery service.”
The Pony Brew has big plans for the coming years. Plans not only to grow in members, but the opportunities they give their students as well. Currently they only operate inside of the school, but Matel plans to extend their reach to surrounding businesses to get students accustomed to job sites as well.
Matel highlighted the value of providing students with experience outside the classroom as well. He believes there is a great difference between a boss and a teacher.
The Pony Brew is located in the art wing, and sells coffee and pastries during hours one through three. All the profits go directly back to the school fund. Many of the students working there have seen immeasurable progress and are looking forward to working in the coming summer.
Coral Lariviere • Nov 29, 2022 at 7:54 pm
I myself am a fan of Pony Brew, so I found your article interesting. I liked that you explained a bit about why/when it started because I was wondering that. I also appreciate that the quotes give the viewpoint of the workers and customers. Lastly, I think adding their goals and plans for the future was good so that we readers could help them achieve those goals.
Gabrielle Knowlan • May 19, 2022 at 7:59 am
The quotes used in this story added a lot of information and emotion. The focus was clear and all of the information was well organized.
Sydney Rodd • May 12, 2022 at 8:03 am
This story really shows the whole timeline of the Pony Brew. It shows how special education kids are able to get work experience from within the school. Your fact paragraphs gave tons of information and the quotes added onto them. Great job!
Evelyn Biederman • May 11, 2022 at 7:59 am
This article is super informative, I didn’t know much about Pony Brew but after reading this I do. You definetly explained the importance of this to the students and the impact it has on them.
Isabelle Knighton • May 9, 2022 at 9:19 am
I think this is a really nice story. I like how it shows how all the kids are able to get life experience and how it shows their optimism. I like how it also gives the different tasks available.
Ava Stein • May 7, 2022 at 1:59 pm
This story reflects all aspects of the Pony Brew from the items they sell to the tasks students do to how it has impacted the community. I also learned a lot more about the stands history and what it wants to accomplish in the future.
Jasmine Z Allison • May 1, 2022 at 11:55 am
I love how you integrated current, previous and future facts about Pony Brew; it helped provide context to the story. I also like how you described a normal day in and mentioned the impact it has on the students working at Pony Brew. Great job!
Mikai Tasch • Apr 26, 2022 at 5:38 pm
This story was powerful because you explained the opportunities students in the special education department are given. I thought it was great that you included the fact that students and staff members can stop by B116 during passing time to get a cup of coffee, or get it delivered to their classroom in hours 1-3. I thought you did a great job of providing many other facts about the Pony Brew such as the skills students develop.