Six interior design and architecture teams joined the Educator Support Collaborative – a new coalition of volunteers, community organizations, Baltimore City Schools and local businesses focused on thanking and supporting Baltimore City’s Public School educators. Each team worked with teachers and staff to reimagine traditional teacher rooms, creating Wellness Retreat spaces with warm lighting, soothing paint colors, comfortable seating and kitchenettes stocked with coffee, tea and snacks.
Led by Interior Architecture firm Verve Partnership, partners included Gensler & Associates, Moseley Architects, Danielle Nekimken/Jerome Gray, Arris Design, HCM and furniture dealers: MOII, Douron, SML Interior, Price Modern, QWRK and Vari furniture dealers. Sherwin Williams donated paint, supplies and volunteers for all six makeovers and partners like the Baltimore Family Alliance provided snacks and supplies.
In addition to the design community stepping up, 4 of the 6 schools now have new relationships with partners who want to provide ongoing support after the new lounges are unveiled. They include BD Integrated Diagnostic Solutions, Joseph H Brown Funeral Home, Constellation and Arris Design/Price Modern.
The six schools in the Makeover Project are Community Schools are each located in areas of high poverty. Community School Coordinators secure resources and partnerships to help remove barriers to learning such as insufficient food access and school supplies. The lead agencies for the six schools are the Y in Central Maryland and Positive Schools Center. According to John Hoey, CEO, The Y is thrilled to be a part of this innovative project. It’s a wonderful example of what happens when community partners align around shared objectives. It’s also an excellent demonstration of support for our educators.”
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, ribbon cuttings will take place on Tuesday, May 9: Harlem Park Elementary Middle School at 10am and Gwynns Falls Elementary School May 9, 1pm. On Friday, May 12, 10am, Augusta Fells will celebrate their teachers and Mervo’s teachers will be honored on Monday, May 15th at 10am. All are welcome!
From Paul Wolman, founder of the Educator Support Collaborative: “It’s time we as a community show up for our city’s teachers and staff. They’re facing perhaps the most challenging time in history. This pilot project is already proving what’s possible when individuals and companies are invited to participate in specific, coordinated, concrete projects.Project manager Cindy Paradies adds: “The new Collaborative plans to organize and promote a variety of ways the community can support and show appreciation for our City Schools educators throughout the year.”
For more information on the project and to find ways you can support our educators now, visit educatorsupportcollaborative.org to join its mailing list.
