Celebrating Teacher appreciation week with some highlights and fun facts!

Teaching was something I aspired to do, but unfortunately, it was not as easy as it seemed to get to where I am today.

I went to Kent State University with aspirations to be an Early Childhood Teacher. Unfortunately, I had undiagnosed ADD and was kicked out of the Education program and college on Christmas break, after my 1st semester of Sophomore year at Kent State University. I had been on probation and could not get my grades where they needed to be. I was sent a certified letter to my home stating that I could not come back to school. My Dad and I went to Kent State University to meet with the Dean of Education in a snowstorm and I pleaded to be let back into the program. After a conversation, he agreed to let me continue at Kent State, but in order to be a Teacher, I had to have a 2.5 GPA and I had a 1.0. I ended up going 5 years at Kent State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in “Individual Family & Consumer Studies and Gerontology with a Child Care Emphasis”.

I took a job as a Social Worker at Cuyahoga County Department of Children & Family Services in 2000 and left in 2006 to pursue my passion for Pastry at Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, NC.

I had a Teacher in Pastry School that told me on my 3rd day of Pastry school, that I was not supposed to be in the program and that this career path was in her opinion, not for me. I have no idea why a Teacher would ever tell a student this, but I was 29 and knew that this is what I was supposed to be doing. I kept on going and graduated in 2007 with an Associates degree in Baking & Pastry Arts from JWU.

I spent 10 years working in resorts and restaurants until I burned out in 2016 and needed a new start. Pastry was my passion, but I did not want to be in the restaurant seen anymore. I took about 15 months before I started Annie’s Signature Sweets and began my business as a catering business.

It was not until 2018 that I started teaching after I started my business in August 2017. My first class was February 5th, 2018 and I had no idea how much I would learn, and love baking even more as a Teacher. I have now taught both virtually and in person to students in over 30 states and 7 countries over 550 baking (yes, all baking) classes since 2018.

My students come to me for several reasons including:

  • To have a fun experience for themselves or with friends, family or co-workers

  • To learn a fun, new recipe that they can make successfully, individually and explore their creativity with my guidance and knowledge in desserts and baking.

  • To engage with other bakers and socialize

  • To work in a kitchen, other than their own

  • To learn skills that they can apply to baking and cooking that will last a lifetime

  • To celebrate events together (team building, bachelorette parties, anniversaries, birthdays, mother’s day, kids educational programs and some celebrations people have created themselves)

    What my students gain in my classes are:

  • Insight into the Science of baking

  • Answers to questions that they may not even think about

  • The ability to work individually from start to finish

  • How to successfully mix a recipe

  • What to look for by the senses and not just going off the recipe and sticking to the way it is written 100% (baking does have some variables that I also teach you about)

  • Confidence!

  • How to have fun while baking and less intimidated at trying something new

  • Laughter

  • Mistakes are not always a bad thing in baking -it’s how we learn

  • Memories

  • Patience

  • Why a recipe is mixed a certain way

  • What you can and cannot alter in a recipe

  • How to personalize your own signature sweets

What my students teach me in my classes:

  • To live in the moment

  • That I have a lot of experience that will help others to gain confidence

  • To continue to challenge myself as a Teacher

  • There is always something to learn, even as a Teacher. I learn from my students EVERY CLASS!

  • Baking is more than baking to me- it is connecting with people who are looking for something that they can be proud of and that they are more creative than they think.

I can go on an on about my students and my classes. They have saved me after a burn out of being in the Restaurants, through a pandemic, and bring me so much joy that I cannot even express in words.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing me and my small business. It makes me cry happy tears and keeps me going on the best days and the toughest days!

Make sure you are following me on IG, and FB @ anniessignaturesweets for the latest updates and that you are signed up for my newsletter. I cannot wait to see you in a class soon! As always, feel free to reach out anytime. I LOVE hearing from you, and hearing about you and connecting with you in and beyond the classroom.

xoxo

Annie

Ann LoParoComment