Rio Vista Elementary School Cafeteria Manager Teresa Rego inspires students with soccer expertise during the World Cup

By Rio Vista Elementary Summer School Principal Cheryl Kolano and MDUSD Public Information Officer Theresa Brandt

During Summer School and Summer Expanded Learning at Rio Vista Elementary, the “Rockets” students closely followed the World Cup games under the leadership of their Cafeteria Manager, Teresa Rego, who previously coached soccer and who still plays herself!

Ms. Teresa led World Cup Trivia and helped students follow the wins and losses on a poster of the official tournament ladder. Cutouts of team jerseys and team balls decorated the Multi-Use room, where students were served their meals. When the summer programs ended, she gave the students the decorations to take home.

“It makes me feel good,” she said. “I like seeing the kids smile and their faces happy.”

Ms. Teresa joined MDUSD’s Food & Nutrition Services Department in 1994, beginning at Foothill Middle School, then moving to Hidden Valley Elementary, before joining the Rio Vista staff. Over a 6 year period ending around 2001, Ms. Teresa also coached the Mt. Diablo High School Girls’ soccer teams, JV and Varsity! Funding was tight, and the girls did not have the same luxuries as their opponents in Dublin or Walnut Creek. There were no local club soccer teams in the area to help the girls get started at earlier ages. But the Mt. Diablo girls played their hearts out, sometimes with fewer girls on the field than the opponent had.

Ms. Teresa told the girls, “A goal lasts a minute, but a good attitude and sportsmanship last a lifetime.” Referees often complimented the Mt. Diablo team on their attitude and spirit.

She has also coached the Expanded Learning Program (ELP) soccer teams at Rio Vista and Riverview MS, taught cooking classes for students, and she coordinates “Growing Healthy Kids,” which brings together school gardens and school lunches through the Farm to Cafeteria initiative. And she loves participating in Halloween “Spooktacular” Food Services activities.  “I just didn’t want to be one of the lunch ladies who shows up for work and goes home,” she said. “I wanted to be more involved with the students. The kids here all love soccer. I used to go out at lunchtime and play with them.”

Over the past few years In the Rio Vista Elementary School Cafeteria, Ms. Teresa and her staff have navigated from charging for school lunches on a sliding scale, to providing free lunches and snacks for every student. She keeps her kitchen organized and ready with nutritious meal choices for students. “I had a mom tell me, ‘My son eats vegetables because he remembers you telling him to,'" she said. "It makes my day.”
                              
At age 62, Ms. Teresa continues to play soccer herself as the left wing/left striker in the Diablo Co-ed Soccer League in Antioch, along with some of her former students. She wore her jersey under her apron while leading the World Cup activities at Rio Vista. “I like this school,” she said. “We’re like a family. I’d like to retire from here.”

Thank you, Teresa Rego for continuing to give back to our MDUSD students and community!