LYNN — Elementary teachers from across the District joined SkillsUSA students at Lynn Vocational Technical High School on Saturday to help create social-emotional learning spaces for the classrooms.
Elementary schools in the city were asked to send two teachers to work with the SkillsUSA students on building and painting bookshelves and creating “calm-down kits,” to be implemented in their classrooms.
“We provided them with the materials and the hands-on experience to design and make these social, emotional spaces that are going to go into their classrooms,” said SkillsUSA advisor and Lynn Tech English teacher Jason McCuish.
By Saturday afternoon, 50 teachers helped make 50 bookshelves, and also left with an area rug, a plant, and all the materials for the “calm-down kit.”
“They (the teachers) were actively involved in creating the space, so that way they’ll really appreciate and utilize it a bit more,” said McCuish.
McCuish said SkillsUSA has been working on this project for a while, having applied for a grant with Lowes and being one of few in the country to be chosen.
“We were so excited to get this project going,” McCuish said. “We’re very grateful to Lowes for the support.”
Personally, McCuish said this is one of the best things SkillsUSA has done, combining their knowledge in building the resources for the classroom spaces while also spreading awareness about social and emotional needs.
