Learning the ropes to a new job can be daunting, but having a seasoned professional as a guide makes the learning curve easier to get around.
Navigating that curve is difficult in the school food service industry where there are a number of state and federal rules and regulations to understand and follow. That’s why Laurie Cartrett, the Fayette County Public School System’s School Nutrition Program Director, started mentoring a new food service director in the Gainesville City School System last year.
Cartrett made such an impression on her mentee, Tiffany Lommel, that the Georgia Department of Education has named Cartrett their 2011 School Nutrition Mentor of the Year.
Lommel nominated Cartrett for the award citing how Cartrett’s guidance has helped her improve the public’s image of Gainesville’s program, gain support from stakeholders, and streamline the bid process.
“She has driven over two hours for site visits, reviewed financials, and taught me key things to watch. She is patient and always gives brainstorming sessions that have helped me learn to problem-solve on my own,” Lommel states in her written nomination.
Cartrett, who received the award during the School Nutrition Director’s Conference last month, had no idea she had been nominated.
“Working with Tiffany has been a joy. It did not feel like work; it felt like talking to a friend. It was fun to help her,” says Cartrett about her first mentoring experience adding, “I wish I could have had a mentor when I was starting out.”
Most of Georgia’s veteran school nutrition program directors are expected retire in the next three to five years, leaving an entirely new group to lead food service programs at school systems across the state. The Georgia Department of Education has been encouraging experienced directors to help those new to the job, according to Cartrett.
“Our jobs are complex and unique. No one else does what we do. It is difficult to go to a class to learn this job because we have to know detailed information about a large range of topics. It takes time, so experienced directors look for new directors to help,” explained Cartrett.
