Learning is hardly a phase of life—it’s an ongoing pursuit, and one you should not only be undertaking for yourself but also encouraging in those around you. Whether it’s for professional growth or personal fulfillment, continuing to develop professionally and gain more knowledge can lead to more confidence, opportunities, and overall satisfaction with what you accomplish in the workday. The best part? Opportunities for professional development and ongoing education come in a variety of formats, so there’s a way to do it that fits every individual and every team. This month’s issue of School Nutrition explores how you can take advantage of those opportunities to create a stronger team among you and your colleagues. You’ll find all this valuable insight in our January/February issue highlighting these topics:

Nourishing Success with Professional Development: Professional development is about much more than one person—when a workplace, particularly a school foodservice workplace, encourages professional development, it can boost overall morale and reduce turnover. Everything from hands-on workshops to certifications will enhance the skills of those who move you forward every day, ultimately strengthening your program.

Nothing Learned, Nothing Earned: Not every education path is going to look the same, particularly in the 21st century. Striving to always learn and always explore new skills is critical for you to not only be the best version of yourself in the workplace but also take the most satisfaction from what you do. Practical strategies like SMART goals and action plans can help you figure out how you want to keep learning and embrace a continuing education path that works best for you.

Tiny Steps, Big Leaps: Big goals can be overwhelming, but micro goals are much more manageable: When you break it down into bite-sized tasks, the work becomes less intimidating, and you can track progress and celebrate wins while taking small steps. Creating a path of smaller goals gives you more clarity, momentum, and confidence, so you’re more likely to stay on track and ultimately accomplish the larger goal that otherwise might not have seemed so achievable.

Food Focus: Say Cheese!: Over the course of its 4,000-year history, cheese has spawned 2,000 varieties and established itself as a dietary staple across cultures. But even more noteworthy than cheese’s versatility and ubiquitousness is its nutritional benefit. Cheese is full of protein, calcium, B vitamins, and many other nutrients. Plus, because there are so many different kinds of cheeses, there’s a flavor and a texture for practically every palate.

Click here to read SN’s January/February 2025 issue to discover all of these articles, and more!

Related Articles