Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 12, 1990 TAG: 9006140460
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By FRITZ RITSCH
DATELINE: RINER LENGTH: Medium
"I've spent 20 years of my life in this school," says Harris, "and I have been fed lunch each day by this lady," he said of Teel.
"When I came back, they didn't have beef stew, but the food was still good."
Teel retired this year after 30 years in the food service. She has been cafeteria manager at Auburn High School since 1967. Virginia Altizer also retires at the end of this school year.
The menu is not the only thing that has changed since the two sisters have been working in the Auburn cafeteria.
Auburn once served grades one through l2. Now it serves only middle- and high-school students. Modern wings have been added, expanding the size of the dining room and kitchen. And the county has consolidated school food services.
Overall, Teel said, the changes have been good for the students and for the food service. Until the food services consolidated, she says, the students "had no choices in fruits and vegetables. Now they have a great variety to choose from."
The present menu includes two choices in entrees and a salad bar. "Some people don't think it's a good idea to have a central menu," she said, "but then [the students] wouldn't have choices."
The new menu symbolizes the differences between students when she started and students today. "They expect more choices now than they did." Other than that, though, students haven't changed much. "They're still children," she says, smiling. "They're still polite and nice. There are some that aren't, but most are."
The changes over the years have made the life of cafeteria workers easier, says Altizer. "It's not as tiring as it used to be."
Perhaps the biggest change in three decades is that cafeteria workers no longer have to prepare whole meals from scratch anymore. Teel and Altizer talk about the days when they had to peel and can their own pineapples.
"So many things we have now are pre-portioned," Teel said. Also, they point out, they don't have to serve all grades anymore.
There are some things in the food services that Teel is not pleased with. Only three food-service workers at the school are salaried and have benefits, says Teel. The rest work for hourly wages with no benefits. "I'd like to see that changed," Teel said. "I don't think that's hardly fair."
Overall, Teel is pleased with the school - and the school is pleased with her. A reception was held for her May 18, at which she was presented a plaque honoring her 23 years as cafeteria manager. She is only the second manager the school has had. A plaque similar to the one she was given will be riveted to the cafeteria wall.
Principal Robert Miller and assistant principal Wade Robinson eat lunch with cafeteria workers after students have been served. "That's my therapy," confides Miller.
Teel's retirement is "pretty close to a tragedy," says Miller, because the quality of both management and food have been so good under her leadership. "She makes some of the most delicious things I ever put in my mouth."
Students at Auburn seem to agree that the personal care and concern that Altizer and Teel show make them unique. Teel "knows just about everybody by name," said yearbook editor Susan Sowers. "Mrs. Altizer always picks on you" in fun, says Sherry Akers. students call Altizer "Aunt Ginny."
Student Dee Phillips remembers times when Teel put ice packs on injuries. Stacy Duncan tells about the time Teel let him go through the line without paying the whole amount for his lunch because she knew he didn't have it.
Some students say their parents were served by Teel and Altizer when they were at Auburn. "I'm feeding a lot of children of parents I fed," says Teel.
"She's kind of like a second mother," said one student.
"No,"says another, "like a grandma."
"Don't say that," says a third. "You'll make her sound old." And they all agree that she doesn't seem nearly old enough to retire.
Susan Miller, wife of the principal, agrees. "It's the end of an era," she said. "I've known Imogene for eight years. The food out here is better" than at other shcools she's eaten at.
"Whether it's the smiles on the faces of the cafeteria women or the attitude or their approach to cooking - it's better," Susan Miller said.
Teel says there are two important traits a cafeteria manager has to have. "They've got to love kids, and be willing to work hard." The students would agree that Teel has both.
"She's the sweetest lady you ever met," said Derrick Bryant.
And, says Nathan Clower, she's "an outstanding influence."
by CNB