Jefferson Middle School reading teacher Christopher Knott pours coffee for students who earned a chance to visit “Starbooks,” an incentive program to help encourage students to do their best in the classroom.

Reading Teacher Christopher Knott has transformed his Jefferson Middle School classroom into a space where education meets the warm, inviting atmosphere of a coffee shop.

Knott, a JHS graduate who joined Jefferson Middle School this year, worked with his colleagues at Jefferson to help develop “Starbooks” — an incentive program to help encourage students to do their best in the classroom.

“Honestly, it began as a fun idea to blend classroom engagement with that cozy coffee shop vibe,” Knott said. “Education can be intense, and I wanted to create a space where students felt motivated, relaxed, and rewarded for their hard work. Plus, who doesn’t love a good loyalty card system? It turns out even middle schoolers are all about points and perks!”

The program operates on a loyalty point system, where students earn Starbooks points by staying on task, completing both whole and small group work, and being positive contributors in the classroom. The reward? A well-earned cup of coffee on Fridays, served in authentic Starbucks cups–with lids and sleeves generously donated by the local Starbucks.

“On Fridays, if they’ve earned enough points (with parent permission), they enjoy a real cup of coffee in authentic Starbucks cups–with lids and sleeves generously provided by our amazing local Starbucks,” Knott explained. “We even have a Star Barista who helps prep the cafe and earns a fun certificate along with special seating privileges. It’s all about blending responsibility with reward.”

As the school year progresses, Knott is looking to expand and enhance the Starbooks Cafe experience.

“I’m planning more creative activities, fun challenges, and maybe some surprise drinks to keep things fresh,” he said. “I’ll also continue building out our Starbooks Café space, which students already love as an escape filled with art, projects, decorative lights, and cozy vibes. It’s a place where creativity and focus thrive.”

Beyond the rewards, Knott has seen Starbooks become a meaningful way to build relationships with students and create an environment where they feel valued. He credits the local Starbucks team — Anissa Strzalkowski, store manager, and Freedom Maring, shift supervisor — for their support, particularly during a special holiday celebration.

“They threw an amazing holiday party here with prizes and so many cake pops we couldn’t give them all away!” Knott said. “Most importantly, this program has been a powerful way to build relationships with students and create a classroom environment where they feel motivated, valued, and ready to succeed.”