2018-2019 TASN Election: Education Chair
February 23 - March 23, 2018
Jessie Calvin Pittman
Lampasas ISD | Director of Nutrition Services
TASN Member: 11 years | SNA Member: Currently in the process of joining
TASN Positions Held: Area 5 Representative, Local Chapter President & Vice President
TASN/SNA Presentations: Presented at the first annual Team Up for School Nutrition Success Workshop for TDA in Austin, TX.
Education/Certifications: Temple Junior College, TASN Managers & Directors Academy graduate, numerous classes at ESC Region 12
Other Info You Would Like to Include: I have been married to my wonderful wife Linda for 25 years this year. Together we have four wonderful children. Daughters Laura, Audra, and Krystal, along with our son Daniel, are our beloved family. Our daughter Krystal has made us proud grandparents to Eva and Eli.
After college and many years with Wilsonart International I was ready for a change. I accepted a position with Belton ISD in special education. This set the stage for meeting TASN Past President Mrs. Reba Baker, who gave me my first opportunity to work in school nutrition as a cafeteria manager. Reba provided me with the opportunity to learn all I could about school nutrition, and even sent me to the TASN Managers Academy. Then she helped me apply for a scholarship to attend the TASN Directors Academy. This formal training and her mentoring gave me the skills to become the Food Service Director for Academy ISD and Troy ISD. I am currently the Director of Nutrition Services for Lampasas ISD.
Goals for Office: to pay it forward to all the TASN Members that would like to take advantage of our educational opportunities throughout the association. If elected I will work with the education committee to develop ways that will make our Managers & Directors Academy more affordable to all those willing to step up and move their careers to the next level. As a committee, we can work with SNA to learn what other states are doing to push the education of their association members. I want to see our association use its technology to streamline some of these courses/academies through webinars and zoom so we can eliminate much of the travel cost when possible. This in itself would allow a higher participation from the smaller districts that cannot afford to travel at all. Even some of our larger districts are having trouble with funding for nutrition training. It's time for a change that will put our educational opportunities within reach of those who struggle to afford the chance. TDA has raised the training bar with the professional standards so I feel we should help build a nutrition team that can outshine all others.
Lacy Willey
Dickinson ISD | District Dietitian/Nutrition Educator
TASN Member: 5 years | SNA Member: 2 years
TASN Positions Held: N/A
TASN/SNA Presentations: Created presentation "Develop a Professional Incentive Training Program" (2016); created poster session presented by Judy Lee: "Grow Your Own Herbs at School" (2014); co-created and co-presented "Got Water? Offering Water as an Additional Beverage with the Reimbursable Meal" (2014).
Education/Certifications: School Nutrition Specialist, Registered Dietitian, Texas Licensed Dietitian, Masters of Science in Health and Human Performance
Other Info You Would Like to Include: Recipient of the Nutrition Education Award for Outstanding Nutrition Education 2014; Recognized as UT School of Public Health Preceptor of the Year Award 2016.
Lacy is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Dickinson Independent School District. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition and Food Science from Texas State University and went on to receive a Masters in Health and Human Performance from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. After wanting to concentrate more on nutrition, Lacy was accepted into and completed the Dietetic Practice Program at University of Houston. She successfully completed the Registration Examination for Dietitians in 2004. Lacy began her career as a Clinical Dietitian and soon became Clinical Nutrition Manager for a community hospital. After 8 years she decided she needed a change and joined Dickinson ISD Food and Nutrition Services in 2012. As the District Dietitian, she works as menu planner, nutrition educator, and food allergy coordinator for all campuses in the district. In addition, Lacy co-chairs the school health advisory committee and actively assists in the coordinated school health plan for kindergarten through 8 grades. She has provided many seminars over the years including presentations for Texas Association of School Nutrition, Farm to Cafeteria Conference and School Nutrition Association covering various topics. Lacy is now a certified School Nutrition Specialist and aids in decision making in guiding the Food Service department.
Lacy believes that good nutrition cannot be mandated. Rather it must be learned; she also believes that lunch and breakfast at school should be a learning experience. As Education Chair, Lacy believes that all school foodservice professionals should also have access to education to elevate knowledge and expertise. As well as, foster a positive image for our profession. With the growing demand to improve school meals so does the demand for highly trained professionals with specialized skill sets. TASN is a leader in training and educating Texas school food service workers. Lacy would be committed in leading TASN as the "training authority" for its members.
Goals for Office: Assist the association in achieving nutrition integrity for the profession, as well as provide time and knowledge in creating beneficial and realistic tools to enhance the effectiveness of the school nutrition programs.