Students attending the Capital Region BOCES Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) program at Guilderland High School got a taste of success during their trip to Tuscan Bakery in Menands, which sells a variety of Turkish pastries and baked goods.

The field trip was facilitated by DHH Teacher Cara Wolf, Literacy and Training Coach Dr. Donna Lamkin and Educational Interpreter Riley Shannon to follow-up a literacy and comprehension unit titled  “Foods Around the World” the students had worked on for several weeks. 

 “The students were so interested in these lessons and, over time, improved their reading comprehension accuracy,” said Wolf. “It was amazing watching these students so involved with their work and utilizing the strategies we taught to accurately answer questions.” 

The unit was designed “to help students build background knowledge and develop comprehension strategies as they read and write about cuisines from their home countries,” said Dr. Lamkin. “We focused on Turkey, Puerto Rico, and Ecuador, and learned about traditional foods such as baklava, plantains, and yuca,” she said. 

At the bakery, the students met owner Nurettin Ulukay and asked questions about his success as an entrepreneur in the Capital Region. They also sampled popular Turkish dishes, including Borek, which Ulukay said is one of his favorites to make. 

The students were also granted behind-the-scenes access to the kitchen for a baking demonstration. Guilderland student Ali Reza Mirzai was born in Istanbul and was proud to connect with Nurettin, who is Kurdish.

It’s safe to say that the students were hungry for knowledge and left with more than just a bite to eat—they gained new insights, fresh perspectives, and a deeper appetite for learning.