Lynn English seniors go back and give back at Cobbet School

LYNN – Students at the Cobbet Elementary School were treated to an early lesson in finance Wednesday morning while members of the Lynn English High School Jobs for Bay State Graduates Program tried their hand at teaching as part of a unique community service project.The 47 LEHS seniors enrolled in the Jobs For Bay State Graduates program spent the morning and early afternoon at the elementary school Wednesday, teaching finance lessons from Junior Achievement in every classroom grades K-5.The lessons line up with each grade’s curriculum and K-5 education frameworks, but provide lessons in areas that most students do not touch on at such an early age – finance and smart money management.For the high schoolers, the day offered an opportunity to experience classroom teaching – one of the many career options explored in the Jobs for Bay State Graduates Program.”It gives the little kids a chance to learn something new and it gives our kids a chance to try their hand at teaching,” said Career Specialist Leta Walker. “We try and do a lot of project-based learning that involves community service.”The seniors-only school to work program helps students about to end their high school careers find guidance as they head out to college and the workforce. Along with exploring various career paths, the students receive training on resume building, interviewing for a job and career networking.The students also participate in various community service projects, including an annual donation of turkeys to My Brother’s Table and a Christmas donation of gifts to students at the Hood School.Through all of the charitable efforts, the students are perhaps most visible through their teaching efforts across the district. Wednesday was one of two visits to Cobbet this year, and students have also taught the Junior Achievement material at the Aborn and Ford schools.”They do job shadows to try and get experience, but this is such a great opportunity for the students,” said Walker. “I am really grateful that Junior Achievement provided the materials so that we can do this, without them it wouldn’t be possible.”All of the elementary school students go home at the end of the day with a certificate of completion from Junior Achievement, and the high school students leave with the experience of classroom teaching to add to their career options.”All of the little kids go home with a certificate, and that is a big deal to them to have something they can show,” said Walker. “And for our students it is just such a great opportunity.”