“Make way for a great day.”
Hundreds of students at Ferris High School started their Monday hearing that expression – Tami Forsman’s phrase of the day while serving them breakfast.
Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. for students, but Tami’s day starts way earlier. A 4 a.m. alarm gets the kitchen manager to Ferris in time to prep meals before serving students breakfast with a side of her positive attitude.
“I’m on a quest that when they come through here, I want to see a smile from them,” Tami said.
In just one morning in the Ferris cafeteria, her success was obvious. And Tami has been succeeding at Spokane Public Schools for 23 years.
When she first started in SPS Nutrition Services, Tami was motivated by the working hours that aligned with her kids’ school schedules. Decades later, what keeps her coming back are the smiles.
“Sometimes it’s that first few seconds within the building that is going to be make or break for how successful you’re going to be within that day in the school. So, we’re looking to get them off with a good start,” Tami said.
She makes way for a great day, every day. Literally every workday, with a basically perfect attendance record over the last two decades.
Tami remembers the years fondly, as do her students. She says former students recognize her around town and stop her to say hello.
“Every time I have an interaction with a student … I realize this is part of their high school memory – what I’m doing right here and right now,” Tami said.