Mount Pleasant Magazine July/August 2019

www.CharlestonsPrivateSchools.com | www.CharlestonSchoolDirectory.com | www.ed.sc.gov INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CISD 176 they need to be a server, like how to hold a tray and set the table. He said they will also do mock interviews and show them how to apply for jobs and create a resume. He even goes over how to make their social media pages look professional because “bosses do look them up,” he said. One aspect of the program that impressed Kelley the most was that each student got a letter of recommendation they could present to a job. The program is free, and, right now, Bakst recruits students through local churches as well as high schools. He said he usually has about 16 kids per session but would like to have more. Tommy Hall, owner of Halls Chophouse, can’t say enough about Teach the Need. “We are sitting here in arguably the best city in the country for restaurants, and we are having a hard time staffing them,” he said. “This program has taught these kids that they don’t need to be intimidated by fine-dining restaurants or nice hotels. They can eat at restaurants like this, work in them and even own one someday.” As Kelley’s boss, Hall has enjoyed seeing his confidence grow. “Everyone has to start somewhere, and I am very proud of these kids. Kenton has been great.” Kelley said that if it wasn’t for Teach the Need, he knows he would have never applied to work at a place like Halls Chophouse. He now attends Morris College in Sumter and comes home every weekend to work at Halls. He is majoring in recreation administration with a minor in political science. He said he would like to go on to study public policy after he finishes his undergraduate degree and someday work in Congress. “This program changed my life,” he said. “It alleviated some of the burden off my mom. Halls has helped me make a living. I would advise anyone who is interested in working in hospitality after high school to contact Mickey Bakst about Teach the Need. Be ready to work, take the time and be willing to listen. And just enjoy the process.” If you are interested in attending or volunteering for the next session of Teach the Need, contact Mickey.Bakst@ belmond.com . If your child could use a boost, Sylvan gets results. Our students typically see up to two times more growth in their math and reading scores than other students is THE BEST