School nutrition managers
the school food experts
Gwendolyn Coley, George Watts Elementary School
Team red
Durham native (Army Brat) and graduate of Northern High School, U.S.Army Telecommunication School, and Durham Technical Community College Associates in Science. Gwendolyn received her food service training while working in Military Dining Halls located in Germany as a civilian spouse. She has been employed with Durham Public Schools Food Service Program Since 1993. She is currently doing duel duty: she is the Manager at George Watts Elementary and coordinates services provided to three Charter Schools in Durham.
Glenda Collins, Club Boulevard Elementary School
Team Dark blue
Glenda Collins has worked at Club Blvd Elementary School for 19 years and is passionate about keeping her young students well fed and happy.
Bridgette Harper-Reid, Creekside Elementary School
Team pink
Bridgette Harper-Reid was born in Fairfax, Virginia in 1982 and current lives in Holly Springs, NC were she was raised. Bridgette graduated from Apex High School and North Carolina Central University receiving her Bachelor’s in Business Administration concentration in Management. Bridgette has been working for Child Nutrition Services for 12 plus years at Creekside Elementary. On a search for something, in 2014 Bridgette went back to school and graduated from the Art Institute of Raleigh/Durham receiving an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts all while continuing to feed the children at Creekside Elementary. Chef Bridgette would always tell people my passion is food. I love to cooking and creating new and exciting recipes.
Erica Judd, Jordan High School
Team green
Erica moves too fast for us to capture her on camera, but students at Jordan High know her as a warm and caring leader who keeps them fueled up at school.
Venice Prince, Lucas Middle School
Team light blue
Venice Prince is the fearless leader of Lucas Middle School’s delicious lunch room. She has fabulous ideas for taking school lunch to the next level!
Frances Pettiford, Y.E. Smith Elementary
Team yellow
Frances Pettiford was born in 1961 in Baltimore, Maryland, and is now residing in Durham, NC. Frances graduated from Durham High School and DeVry University, receiving her Bachelor's in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting. Frances has been in her current position as manager at Y. E. Smith Elementary in Durham, NC for two and a half years. She previously worked for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and UNC Hospital. Frances has been serving the Child Nutrition Department well for 26 glorious years.
Vilma Forrester, W.G. Pearson Elementary
Team orange
Vilma Forrester has been the passionate force behind W.G. Pearson Elementary school’s breakfast and lunch for many years. If you are a student at Pearson, you know her warm smile fills you up as much as her warm food!
Tara Lee, Eastway Elementary
Team purple
Tara Lee has been a Durham Public Schools School Nutrition employee for 20+ years. She enjoys cooking for the students. And you should just see what she’s created with her chef partner for Durham Bowls! You have to taste it to believe it.
Keshia Jones, Eno Valley Elementary & Mangum Elementary
Team turquoise
Keshia Jones has been working with School Nutrition Services for 5 years. She started her Manager position at Bethesda Elementary School, where she worked for 3 years. For the 2017-18 school year, she moved into a dual Manager position, overseeing both Eno Valley Elementary and Mangum Elementary Schools.
Jim Keaten, Executive Director of Child Nutrition Services for Durham Public Schools
Team black
Where do we even begin? Jim is the amazing director of all DPS nutrition programs. He cares passionately about feeding all children and fueling their bodies so their minds are ready to learn, teach, explore, create, and succeed. Durham knows we’re lucky to have him at DPS.