At McNab Elementary School, HFM BOCES special education teacher Joshua Barmen, known to his students as “Mr. Josh,” is helping students build confidence and independence through a student-run coffee cart.
What started during the 2026 Extended School Year (ESY) program as a way for students to apply classroom skills through hands-on learning has become a regular part of the school year. After seeing the positive impact the coffee cart had on student engagement, communication, and independence, Mr. Josh decided to continue the initiative beyond the summer.
Originally designed to help students strengthen their communication and social skills, the coffee cart has grown into much more. Students take on a variety of responsibilities, including greeting customers, taking orders, handling money, making change, measuring ingredients, pouring beverages, and following multi-step directions. Through these interactions, students are developing academic, vocational, and life skills that support greater independence.
For Mr. Josh, one of the most rewarding parts of the coffee cart has been watching students grow more confident and independent as they apply their skills.
“The most rewarding part has been seeing each student’s capabilities shine and their independence grow,” said Barmen. “Skills that were once challenging are becoming part of their daily routines with the right support and opportunities to practice in a real-world setting. Watching their confidence grow and seeing what they’re capable of is incredibly rewarding.”
Students have also begun preparing snack items for sale, giving them opportunities to follow recipes, cook, strengthen fine motor skills, solve problems, and build greater independence.
The coffee cart is supported by teachers, teaching assistants, and related service providers who work alongside students each day, supporting both their classroom learning and individual goals. Their efforts help students connect classroom learning to meaningful and practical experiences.
According to Dan Salvagni, HFM BOCES Director of Special Education, providing students with opportunities to apply their learning is an important part of helping them succeed both in and out of the classroom.
“Our classrooms are always looking to provide real-life experiences for our students, whether they be community-based field trips or projects within the school. These experiences bring more meaning to and engage students in the learning process and prove more successful when connected to real-world applications.”
Over time, the coffee cart has become an extension of the classroom, allowing students to strengthen important life skills while contributing to their school community. What began as a summer initiative has grown into a valuable part of the school week, highlighting the many ways students can learn, contribute, and grow when given opportunities to put their skills to work.
