Staff Spotlight: Patti Roads - kitchen manager at Irving Middle School

August 22, 2025

Every week, we shine a spotlight on one Lincoln Public Schools staff member! This week, meet Patti Roads, kitchen manager at Irving Middle School.

“Patti has established a positive working environment for our Nutrition Services team. She is always willing to help others, has a flexible/growth mindset, accommodates any changes to our schedule with a smile and is kind to our students and staff. With her leadership, our middle school lunches are efficient, delicious and a positive experience for Irving students!” - Rachael Kluck-Spann, Irving Middle School principal.

In a few sentences, briefly describe your role at LPS.
I help to make sure the students are getting good quality and tasty meals for breakfast and lunch. I do a lot of ordering, organizing and paperwork, along with helping out wherever I am needed in our kitchen. I am lucky to work alongside a very dependable, knowledgeable and cheerful staff!

How long have you worked for LPS?
This August, I began my third year at LPS.

What inspired you to become part of the education field at LPS?
I was able to work in a school kitchen in another Nebraska district for 11 years. I really loved it, and felt like I was making a difference, even if it was only a small one. When we began our move to Lincoln, I wanted to do the same thing, so I reached out to LPS.  The rest is history!

What has been your favorite part of working here? What aspect of your job do you find most rewarding?
My favorite part of working here has really been the people. Not only the great kitchen staff, but the whole Nutrition Services department and the Irving staff as well. Working among good people makes me want to be a better person myself. GO AARDVARKS!  
I think the most rewarding thing is when a student takes the time to tell us they enjoyed the meal that day. It makes us all smile!

Did you attend LPS as a student? If so, which school(s)? If not, where are you from?
I did not attend school in Nebraska. I graduated from Pagosa Springs (Colo.) High School in 1986.

What path did you take after completing your formal education?
For many years, I was an accountant for car dealerships. That was not a very rewarding career, so after almost 20 years, I decided to make a change. I chose school food service and have never regretted the decision.

What do you enjoy most about the Lincoln community?
I enjoy the many options available to us every day. There is such a variety of things to do and see in Lincoln, and we are taking in as much as we can. So many fun things to experience, and interesting people to meet!

What is your favorite childhood book or a book that has influenced your life positively?
My favorite childhood book is "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls. It is a book about the love between a boy and his two hunting dogs. Our teacher read it to us in third grade, and I will always remember that type of love, innocent and pure.

Share a shout out to a former teacher who impacted your life.
A big shout out to Mr. Bowen, my high school office teacher. He led a very interesting life and always shared his amazing stories with us. He made us understand that there was so much out there to be discovered, and he encouraged us to "go discover it.”

Do you know a LPS staff member we should feature for Staff Spotlight? Fill out this form to nominate them!

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