The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
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Meet the teacher: Sam Musto
'Chef' Sam Musto teaches culinary art skills
PUBLISHED: February 7, 2008
Name: "Chef" Sam Musto
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Age: 42
Family: (No reply)
Education: Master's degree from Wayne State University and bachelor's degree from the University of Detroit Mercy.
Native of: Chicago
Teaching experience: Nine years at Schoolcraft College, nine years at Oakland Community College and 14 years secondary educator of culinary arts.
School you teach: Saline High School/South and West Washtenaw Consortium.
Grade/subject you teach: Culinary arts
Favorite subject in school: Speech
Least favorite subject in school: History
Something people would be surprised to know about you: I am a triplet
Most influential person in your life: My mother. She raised 11 children.
Quote to live by: "You have to be a friend to have a friend."
What do you like most about teaching?
The students, their energy, excitement and enthusiasm.
What do you like least about teaching?
Keeping up with the paperwork.
What is the most challenging part about teaching?
Taking the students to competition in culinary arts.
What are some of the goals you set for students?
We run a restaurant three days a week. My goal is to get the students to run it independent of me.
How do you handle a disruptive student?
Give them a task they enjoy doing.
How do you handle a student who doesn't focus well?
Use another student to team with them on a task.
What do you tell parents about being involved in their children's education?
Using the e-mail is the best way you can communicate with teachers and find out what's going on in the classroom.
Are students feeling more pressure to succeed today?
They have more challenges today due to the fast pace that technology is moving.
Walk us through a typical day for you?
At 5 a.m., I wake up and at 5:45 leave from Royal Oak and drive to Saline High School. At 6:40 a.m., I arrive at school and open the school's coffee shop at 7 a.m.
At 9:20 a.m., students arrive to class and we prep for our lunch menu. At 11 a.m., students run the "Hive" restaurant until 1 p.m. At 3 p.m., I prep for lesson for next day's food service and at 5 p.m., I meet students for catering event and prep food.
At 7 p.m., we cater a dinner at the high school and at 9 p.m. I leave for home.
How has your job changed over the years?
Technology has changed the way we do everything. The Food Network has given culinary arts a positive image and something most people can relate to by turning on their televisions at home.
What do you like most about teaching in Saline?
The community. There is a feeling of pride and excitement with the warmth of a small-town feel.
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