Emmy Durand, R.D.

Details

Child Nutrition Education Coordinator, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Houston, TX
Age: 29
Education: B.S. in dietetics from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, and a master’s in public health from the University of Texas
Years at organization: 4

Why Selected?

According to Darin Crawford, foodservice director, Emmy has made an impact on foodservice by:

•Spearheading the effort to design menus that are compliant with new federal regulations

•Being the driving force behind the implementation of digital menu boards in the district

•Displaying her passion for getting things done right and always looking for ways to do things better for the students
 

Get to know

Q. What has been your proudest accomplishment?

Completing my master’s degree. I finished my dietetic internship and started working full time a week later. It was difficult to balance completing my thesis while adjusting to being a full-time career person.
 

Q. What would you say you excel at over more seasoned colleagues?

I adapt to changes and software with ease. We’re undergoing a big change in our software and I’m really excited about it.
 

Q. What's the best career advice you've been given?

Don’t sweat the small stuff. 

Q. What's been the biggest challenge you've had to overcome?

My first year in school foodservice I had a federal audit. I was in a new position so I didn’t have anyone’s footsteps to follow. It was trial by fire. I’ve now been through three audits so I feel like an old pro.
 

Q. What's been your most rewarding moment?

Last year we received the additional 6-cent reimbursement for meeting the new menu certification for new school lunch guidelines. In the first month we received $64,000. It was great to see the amount of money I helped bring to the district through all the hard work it took to get the menus where they needed to be and go through the paperwork and application process to get certified.
 

Q. What would you like to accomplish in your career in the next two years?

I want the department to streamline the menu planning and back-of-house menu planning online. Right now we have several different programs. We’re in the process of starting that right now. I’ve been doing my menu planning by hand. 

Q. What's been your funniest on-the-job disaster?

My first week at Cy-Fair I was going to check on some menu items at some schools. We’re a big district and I still didn’t know all of the managers. Several of our schools are close together. I went into one school and asked for the manager by name and the employees told me she didn’t work there. I left and went around to the front of the school and realized I was at the high school instead of the middle school. I now carry a map with me wherever I go.