Two years ago, Josh McQuaid decided to make a career change. For a decade, he was a full-time chef, most of which he spent working for Hendrick House on the University of Illinois campus.
Now, instead of serving food to UI students, he’s teaching high-schoolers at Rantoul Township High School to cook. Two years in, he’s already making an impact on his school, where he’s able to put his skillset to use in unique ways.
I find my work important because … cooking is an essential life skill, and I believe that all students should know how to cook. Students will use the skills they learn in culinary every day and for the rest of their lives. I enjoy being able to teach various ways of making food and helping students explore new and exciting ways to make a food they haven’t liked or tried before is one of the best perks of the job.
I became a teacher because … I have always had a passion for cooking. I always wanted to teach and share the passion I have as well as inspire students to learn how to nourish and take care of themselves. Being in the classroom and sharing my passion in a different way from my previous career has been such an amazing experience. By teaching and mentoring students on how to cook for themselves as well as their families, I can see the immediate impact I am having in their lives and look forward to sharing in their successes later in life.
My favorite lesson that I teach is … in my baking essentials class, we do Cupcake Wars, just like the show. It’s always so fun to see how creative the students can be and how they come up with different designs based on a common theme.
My most fulfilling moments on the job are when … I am able to have a breakthrough with a student who doesn’t want to participate or engage in class. Being able to build a relationship and get to know them allows me to know how best to approach the lessons and then once they finally get in the lab, you can see that light go on, and they start to ask questions. When they show that initial interest, nothing better than that.
I keep students engaged by … As a new teacher, I have found that the best way to keep students engaged is a positive learning atmosphere. Keeping students engaged in a lesson is always different for every student, being able to teach in different ways is great advice I received. I think a big factor is that students get to eat whatever they make in class.
Something else I’m passionate about is … I’m super passionate about culinary experiences and travel. Whenever traveling to a new place, I always want to try local food to help immerse myself in local culture! I have been to Israel, the Dominican Republic, Canada, as well as 20/50 states! It’s always fun to try food that is special to a place and plan on traveling abroad with my wife in the future!
My favorite teacher and subject to study in school was … Valarie Benz from BHS, culinary arts. When I was in high school, I attended a dual-credit program at Bloomington Area Career Center, attached to Bloomington High School. She was such a fantastic teacher and a wonderful mentor to me.
If I weren’t a teacher, I would be … cooking as a career. I do miss working in kitchens with a close-knit group of people day in and day out, but I love teaching even more.
— ANTHONY ZILIS