This project involved upper elementary students interested in building a shelf. To guide them, I collaborated with a high school junior who was not only skilled in building but also passionate about teaching. He prepared a comprehensive lesson, teaching the younger students everything from designing their shelf to using tools safely. Our meetings were full of planning and excitement, setting the stage for a hands-on building session where the students learned to create, paint, and assemble their shelf with confidence.
The project didn’t just end with a new piece of furniture; it culminated in a showcase where these young builders demonstrated their newfound skills with power tools to the entire school community. This experience underscored my belief in the power of student-led learning and mentorship. By connecting students of different ages, we created a learning environment that was empowering, engaging, and full of discovery, proving that with the right support, students can achieve great things and inspire others along the way.
My role in this experience was as a facilitator, advisor, and lead teacher. I met with the high school student to set goals for him and my younger students. We focused not only on the physical outcome they were working towards but also on the emotional growth that we wanted for the students. Our conversations quickly turned toward their internal development and how he could best support their maturation with subtlety.