Teachers’ Experience and Perspectives of Traditional Breakfast and Breakfast in the Classroom

Teachers' Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Breakfast in the Classroom: The Importance of Health

“…Although many teachers retrospectively reported having unfavorable attitudes toward BIC prior to implementation, we saw a large increase in satisfaction of BIC post‐implementation, with most teachers reporting satisfaction with and support for BIC. Our study fits a pattern of pre‐implementation apprehension among teachers being ameliorated once the system is in place and becomes routine, one that has been shown in the literature and popular press 10,13,16,18,19 For example, one study found that pre‐implementation expectations and program satisfaction improved over time by utilizing best practices among teachers and making logistical changes, such as the introduction of parental volunteers and changes to delivery methods 10 . This seems to be the case in our study, although dissatisfaction with specific elements of the program emerged once BIC was implemented, including the healthfulness and variety of the foods, as teachers move from a general conception of BIC to dealing with day‐to‐day implementation.…”

“…Conversely, the act of handing out breakfast packs to students was negatively associated with program satisfaction. This may highlight the extra effort and burden that teachers experience with BIC, as demonstrated by nearly half of teachers responding that they have to assist with serving breakfast and as shown in the literature 13,18 …”

“…These sentiments of helping to feed students are echoed by teachers in other studies of their perceptions of SBP in general and some of BIC specifically 10,13,18 . One study found that teachers appreciated the impact that BIC had on student hunger, 10 while another found that almost all teachers believe that students not being hungry is a major benefit of SBP 13 .…”

“…However, despite initial skepticism and resistance from teachers, studies have found that teachers and administrators have overall positive opinions toward the impact breakfast programs have on education, and usually demonstrate support for their continuation 10,13,16,18,19 . One study concluded that teachers should be “considered as potential allies” for breakfast in schools 20 .…”

“…One study concluded that teachers should be “considered as potential allies” for breakfast in schools 20 . The benefits of school breakfast, such as ensuring that students will not be hungry, enabling students to perform better academically, and decreasing students' behavioral problems, are also acknowledged by school administrators 10,13,16,18,19 …”