The teachers’ lounge at Easton Elementary School in Winston-Salem got a makeover this year.
Local elected officials joined school staff and volunteers to celebrate the reveal Wednesday morning.
The far wall of the lounge is painted a light teal blue. Cozy couches and chairs are arranged by the windows, with beachy accent pillows.
The kitchen area is complete with a new refrigerator, coffee bar and a star-patterned backsplash.
It was all made possible by donors and volunteers, including Wendy Parker, with the local organization Community for Public Schools.
“I cannot tell you how many teachers have said to me that they feel called to do this work. And they mean it," Parker said. "They're putting in 12-hour days. They're dealing with a host of problems that are beyond their control. And I admire them so much for what they do.”
That's why she, and others, felt it was important to give them a space that was comfortable and inviting.
"It's important because when they're recharged, they can go into the classroom and be the best teachers and staff that they can possibly be," Parker said.
This is the group’s second lounge makeover. The first was at Carter High School last year. Volunteers try to work with schools that have smaller Parent-Teacher Associations and could use some extra love.
Easton is a Title 1 school, meaning the majority of students are socioeconomically disadvantaged. About 70% of the population is Hispanic, and many are multi-language learners.
Principal Alis Mulero got emotional at the reveal.
“I appreciate it so much, because this job as administrators can be very lonely sometimes," she said. "And then having every single one of you here, it means a lot to me that the love comes from the top all the way down. And you be sure that we love our teachers, and we give that to the students too and parents.”
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Tricia McManus attended the celebration and talked about how different break rooms are for other workplaces.
"In a business office, in a corporate office downtown, this might just be the norm," she said. "Like, I walk into some spaces and I'm like, 'Wow, look at what employees get to sit down in and enjoy.' And that's just that's not part of the equation. And so you all are making that part of the equation for teachers."
The volunteers also made two surprise announcements. Easton will be getting a $10,000 donation to buy ukuleles for a new music program, and equipment for the playground and science lab.
The group also found funding to do future teacher lounge makeovers in other schools.
Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.