The LRA Education Foundation (LRAEF) is pleased to announce the 2024 ProStart Educator of Excellence – Patricia Cooke of Istrouma High School. For over 20 years, Cooke has inspired students in her ProStart classes and many of her students have gone on to own or work in the restaurant industry.
“Patrica exemplifies what we want for all our ProStart educators,” said Mistica Maples-Adams, Louisiana ProStart Manager. “She goes above and beyond for her students and serves as a mentor for her peers also teaching ProStart.” Prior to teaching ProStart, Cooke spent a decade in the restaurant industry as a kitchen and operations manager for Ryan’s Steakhouse and Applebee’s. She attributes her restaurant experience to making the transition from industry to the classroom more assessable. “If I hadn’t had those years working in the restaurants I would have been lost,” said Cooke. “Much of what I was doing was training our staff to read and follow instructions, specifically recipes.” The ability to coach staff then, and now, her students and fellow ProStart educators, is her passion. What drives her is knowing that she is a resource to others in their path to success. “I take great pride in the fact that many of my students work in restaurants or have gone on to own their own catering or restaurant business,” added Cooke. To recognize Patricia Cooke’s dedication to ProStart and the advancement of her students, she will be honored at the LRAEF’s event, “Serving the Future—Celebrating Careers in Hospitality, March 6 at Generations Hall.
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April 2024
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