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I knew we had a winner when the new superintendent of schools honored my request for a meeting within his first month at our southern California district.

As a parent with normal concerns and questions about the leadership of the district, Dr. Stan Scheer squeezed me in between meetings. We had a great conversation.

I soon began noticing the superintendent at various school and community events. Not just high profile things, but even the weekend events with just a few dozen people in attendance.

I also noticed that at the same time Scheer was meeting people, my kids were excelling.

My 12-year-old son's passion for cooking and baking turned into sharing the goods with neighbors and co-workers. Co-workers began inquiring about placing orders for his goodies.

Both my sons then wrote essays for the annual local/national PTA Reflections contest. They won in their respective categories and were honored at a reception along with dozens of other students at the city library.

I saw the district's top leader in the audience, then as he took his place to shake the hand of each student honoree. Scheer took the time to visit with my sons, asking them specific questions on what they wrote. I found out later that he read all the essays, gaining insight to the students in his district.

As the superintendent spoke with my boys, he handed my young chef his business card, and invited him to cook dinner for the entire school board at an upcoming meeting. Dinner for 12! What an incredible honor and challenge for a seventh grader!

The wheels in Vincent's head started turning, the choices for the menu were endless. Everything would be made from scratch — as is his way.

The date to Murrieta Valley Unified District School Board is just around the corner. I'm a little nervous. My husband, the mentor to this 12-year old cooking dynamo, can't get off work early enough on the big day, so it's entirely up to me assist the chef.

It has to be noted that my help consists of all non-cooking/baking duties.

Prior to Vincent taking the reins of cooking in our house, I was a short-order cook, at best. It's no secret that cooking isn't my bag, baby. This upcoming school board cooking event is all on my kid's shoulders.

Sure, I drive him to the stores as he picks out his fancy produce and correct cuts of meat. I argue with him when he tries to sneak (very) expensive spices into the cart. My role is of gofer and dish washer — I leave the cooking to the pros.

The seventh-grader is cool as a cucumber as the big day approaches. He's finalized the menu, organized his cooking schedule, lined up a couple of buddies to help him serve and is even finagling his way out of school a couple of hours early to prepare.

I'll always be in awe of my son's passion in the kitchen. He may very well be a culinary champion at a very young age. This recent convergence of my son's skill and the superintendent's recognition of it have renewed my spirit in the education system.

There's nothing quite as powerful as positive acknowledgment by a fellow human being. This opportunity, this giant pat on the back, this vindication of one boy's fledging passion should be duplicated at schools across the nation.

It doesn't require a high financed education program to honor and recognize students. An invitation for them to present their music, show off their passions, to put a spotlight on their hobbies is all it takes. Whether in the classroom (Show and Tell on steroids!) or at the district level, the opportunity for students to share their talents and be celebrated for it, is an invaluable part of the education process.

Best of luck to those involved in selecting the next leader of the Albuquerque Public Schools, the district that educated me. If you want to see a profile of one of the good ones, go to the Murrieta Valley USD Web site. Dr. Stan Scheer is one of the best.