Riverview teacher’s grant will help life-skills students

Voya Financial investment company’s Unsung Heroes program has awarded Michael MacConnell, a life skills teacher at Riverview Junior and Senior High School in Oakmont, a $2,000 grant. MacConnell is the only winner in Pennsylvania.

“Teachers, staff and administrators responsible for the education of children are national treasures, and educators such as Michael MacConnell are among the ‘best of the best,’” said Angela Harrell, Voya’s chief diversity and corporate responsibility officer and president, Voya Foundation.

MacConnell’s idea, “Partners for a Purpose,” will teach students career development skills while providing inclusive opportunities for those with different abilities, giving a voice and a sense of belonging to those who feel marginalized.

“Michael is wonderful,” said Eric Hewitt, principal of Riverview High School. “He is literally a grant-writing magician and has brought so many opportunities to the students here at Riverview.”

Life skills students will partner with general education and vocational skills students to complete inclusive learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) projects. The skills developed will attempt to help students achieve social, emotional and mental growth and development. The grant money will contribute to supplies that the students need to continue their different projects.

“Money skills are money skills,” MacConnell said. “Social skills are social skills. When you go in front of a group of people that you have no idea who they are, out in the public, and you’re exchanging money face to face, there’s a different level of comfort that’s required. Combining these together works really well for the kids.”

MacConnell believes humans are biologically, cognitively and physically wired to love, accept and belong. When one doesn’t feel they belong, they may underperform, have increased anxiety, turn to violence or even drop out of school.

“He works the grants together into programming for his Life Skills Classroom that is teaching his students about running a small business, STEAM skills using laser engravers, 3-D printers and other equipment to create items,” Hewitt said.

MacConnell helps his students sell their creations at local farmers’ markets. This year, the class has been invited to be sellers at Handmade Arcade in Pittsburgh. Different projects include embroidery, soap and laser engravings. They also sell herbs from the school’s shipping container garden. The money they raise from sales goes toward the school’s unified bocce team that competes at the high school each year.

Hewitt presented him with a “big check” and a plaque during a presentation on Oct. 17 to honor MacConnell’s efforts.

MacConnell was one of 50 winners in the country. He will be competing with other finalists for one of three top prizes: an additional $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000 from Voya Financial.