Dana Evans and Beth Gray

Evans’ and Gray’s innovative teaching idea, “Patriot Chillers,” is designed to increase the post-graduation success of and increase employment placements for students who have significant cognitive disabilities. Through the implementation of their business, students will learn about marketing, budgeting, customer service and business development. After participating in the project, the teachers hope the students will leave with a solid foundation of basic skills, while learning invaluable social skills and peer interactions, making them more employable. This is the first and only student-run business in a Baltimore County or Maryland public school that is run completely by students with significant cognitive disabilities.