For Hailea Hadsall, the idea behind Bomber Brew wasn’t just about serving coffee—it was about creating opportunities. As a special education teacher at Macomb High School, she saw an opportunity to give her life skills students something beyond traditional classroom instruction: a real-world job experience that would prepare them for life beyond high school.

Bomber Brew, a student-run coffee shop, was launched in December and is already making an impact. "I wanted them to have something to look forward to, something to be accountable for," Hailea says. "This program gives them real job skills they can use in the future."

Each morning, eight students in the life skills program report to their makeshift café, ready to take orders, brew coffee, and deliver drinks to staff members. "We keep it simple," Hailea explains. "We offer hot coffee, iced coffee, and hot chocolate, with a variety of creamer options."

For now, the service is only available to Macomb High School staff, but demand is growing. "Right now, we’re handling about 10 to 15 orders a day, and that’s just with staff members," Hailea says. "Who knows? Maybe one day we’ll expand to students, too."

The students handle every step of the process—taking orders, preparing drinks, and ensuring accurate delivery—all while learning key job skills like time management, communication, and teamwork. "They take so much pride in it," Hailea says. "It’s not just about making coffee. It’s about building confidence and independence."

From the moment Bomber Brew started, Hailea saw a change in her students. "After the first week, I noticed they were happier, more engaged, and even more willing to do their academic work," she says. "This has given them a sense of purpose."

The program also teaches students about tracking performance. In the afternoons, they work on a graphing activity, charting which drinks are most popular and tracking trends in sales. "It’s a simple exercise, but it gets them thinking about patterns, customer preferences, and business metrics," Hailea explains. "And they love seeing the numbers change each day."

One of the most unexpected benefits? The way Bomber Brew has built stronger relationships between students and staff. "The teachers and staff have been incredibly supportive," Hailea says. "They’re not just buying coffee—they’re building connections with these students and encouraging them every step of the way."

Hailea’s path to special education wasn’t a straight one. She graduated from Macomb High School in 2014 and initially pursued a degree in sports management at McKendree University. After working in golf tournament management, including a stint with the LPGA, she found herself reevaluating her career during COVID.

That’s when she discovered Western Illinois University’s Master of Alternative Teaching (MAT) program, which allowed her to transition into education. She spent a year substitute teaching before joining the special education team at Macomb High School, where she now works full-time and even coaches golf.

"I never expected to be here," she admits. "But once I got into the classroom, I realized this is where I was supposed to be."

Right now, the coffee shop operates from a classroom-turned-café, but thanks to a grant, the program is set to expand with cabinets, countertops, and additional equipment.

"Right now, we’re using Keurigs, which makes it easy for the students to manage," Hailea explains. "But in the future, who knows? Maybe we’ll move into a bigger space, add more options, and even serve students."

For now, Bomber Brew is about more than coffee—it’s about preparing students for life after high school, giving them confidence, and helping them feel a sense of belonging.

"These kids wake up excited to come to school because of this program," Hailea says. "And that’s something really special."