Cathe Felz, the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) teacher at Three Forks High School, has spent nearly four decades perfecting a recipe for educational success. Her hands-on, science-based culinary arts program is a carefully crafted blend of food science, practical cooking and baking techniques, and workplace readiness—kneading together academic rigor with real-world relevance.

Her curriculum rises to the occasion with projects that explore the chemistry behind gluten development, the microbial magic of fermentation, and the precision of baking ratios and techniques. Students learn to measure, mix, and master both the science and the art of cooking, gaining skills that are essential in professional kitchens and everyday life.

Cathe’s classroom doesn’t stop at the school doors—it spills into the courtyard, where she’s part of a committee of educators transforming outdoor spaces into vibrant extensions of learning. These areas include a student-built outdoor kitchen and a flourishing school garden, where students cultivate sustainability practices and explore Native American studies through seasonal planting and land stewardship. Like a well-prepared sourdough starter, these spaces nurture growth, patience, and connection.

Her leadership in FCCLA has been the leavening agent for countless student-led service projects, from community beautification and food donations to civic engagement initiatives. In 2022, her impact was recognized with induction into the FCCLA Leadership Hall of Fame.

Cathe and her courtyard team have also secured multiple grants, including one from the Montana Contractors Association, to fund outdoor cooking facilities and a greenhouse—proof that their vision continues to expand and evolve. These additions enrich the curriculum schoolwide with opportunities to explore baking in open-air environments, from wood-fired breads to garden-to-table pastries.

At the heart of Cathe’s teaching philosophy is a commitment to preparing students for life. She folds together creativity, service learning, and industry collaboration to shape learners who are not only career-ready but community-minded. Her classroom is a place where ideas rise, skills are refined, and students discover the joy of creating something meaningful—one batch at a time.