Navarro High School Functional Academics Team Launches “Panther Perk” Coffee Shop
GERONIMO, TX – April 22, 2026 – Early this spring, Navarro High School (NHS) officially opened "Panther Perk," an innovative on-campus coffee shop led by the Functional Academics (FA) and Resource team and their students. This student-run business was made possible by a generous grant from the Navarro Education Foundation (NEF) where they were invited to a celebratory coffee and pastry tasting event in April to see the vision in action.
The Panther Perk initiative is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. Under the guidance of dedicated teachers and paraprofessionals, students manage every aspect of the business. Their responsibilities include reading and filling orders, delivering coffee to staff, managing inventory, and handling financial transactions. These tasks are aligned with TEKS, helping students master social skills, team cooperation, time management, and professional communication.
"It is amazing to see what our teachers and paraprofessionals are coordinating with our students," said Shannon Voigt, Director of Special Education. "From the menu to the baked goods to the exceptional service, it was such a well-planned event. I am always so proud of the NHS team and the way they grow our students by increasing their participation in the school community."
The project has been a community-wide effort. Navarro Education Foundation Director and Navarro parent Liz Mundine noted that the foundation is always seeking impactful ways to support special education programming.
"What an amazing way to start my day! The high school functional academics and resources students created a wonderful experience at Panther Perk," Liz Mundine shared. "Upon walking into the room, I immediately felt like I had walked into a quaint, relaxing coffee shop. My coffee and pastries were beautifully presented and delicious, but getting to interact with the students and participate in their social skills building was truly rewarding. It is projects and outcomes such as these that fuel the board members of NEF to continue our meaningful work for NISD."
Additionally, local support from Ms. Lilia Calixto, who donated custom aprons and assisted with logo graphic design, has given the shop a professional and cohesive brand.
Beyond serving delicious beverages, Panther Perk serves as a live laboratory for functional academics. Students apply math skills by counting bills and coins, practice organizational skills by creating shopping lists, and improve independent navigation by delivering orders throughout the high school.
"This project gives our students real-world experience in running a business," Special Education teacher Mrs. Sarah Haltom shared. "They are taking academic and functional skills learned in our curriculum and applying them to a setting that builds the confidence and expertise they need to gain employment beyond high school."
