PRESSURE COOKER

To motivate students to graduate from a high school where 40 percent of students never even make it to their senior year, veteran teacher Wilma Stephenson runs an infamous culinary arts "boot camp" that culminates in a one-day, citywide cook-off in which scholarships are on the line. One minute tough as a Marine drill sergeant, the next minute sweeter than your mother, she teaches her students how to succeed: set a realistic goal, work hard, live up to high standards, believe in your dream. Career education meets character education in this inspirational documentary that follows the progress of three students through one year of their school s Careers through Culinary Arts Program (CCAP), revealing the stressful challenges they face in their personal lives while they still find the motivation to come to school and master the art of cooking. Grades 8 and up. Color. 99 minutes. Participant Media. ©2008.