Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School carpentry teacher Jennifer McNally received a $10,000 grant from Carhartt, along with gear for her classroom, as part of the workwear company’s inaugural Steel Apple Awards. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)
SOUTH EASTON — Superintendent Holly McClanan and Acting Principal Christina Guarini are pleased to announce that Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School carpentry teacher Jennifer McNally is an inaugural recipient of the Steel Apple award presented by workwear company Carhartt in honor of her important role shaping the next generation of skilled tradespeople.
In addition to the recognition, McNally is receiving a $10,000 grant to invest in her classroom and a prize package for her students, including backpacks and work gloves.
McNally was one of five teachers from across the country to receive the inaugural Steel Apple award.
McNally said she was surprised to receive the award, after a colleague nominated her.
“Originally I was completely stunned and bewildered, having never heard of the award, before transitioning to a feeling of complete awe, flattery, and gratitude,” said McNally. “I am not much of an award type person, but I could not be more ecstatic and honored.”
In her profession as a carpentry teacher, McNally strives to help her students build up the skills they need to enter the trade, along with other life skills that they will need along the way. McNally hopes her students overcome any fears of failure, and she teaches them that Southeastern is a place where they can do just that.
“It’s difficult to know what impact you make on someone’s life. I hope I helped them build necessary skills for success in the workforce, of course, but in all aspects of their lives,” McNally said. “I really hope they pursue new skills without a continual fear of failure. I hope they learn to love learning well past any educational requirement. Lastly, I hope they know how much I care about them and wish them well, no matter what profession they choose.”
McNally is grateful to work at a vocational technical school like Southeastern, helping students that are often better suited toward hands-on, career-focused training, more so than traditional classroom instruction.
“Not every student belongs sitting in a classroom. Some people learn best from hands-on learning,” McNally said. “I still love watching students’ skills progress over time. The best is when you see their eyes light up when they conquer a new challenge, build a new skill, or figure out a solution to a problem.”
The ultimate payoff is then seeing her former students enter the workforce, moving on to start businesses and otherwise become successful in their careers.
“I think it’s great when I see former students working in the trade, starting their own businesses and going for what they want,” McNally said. “I am hopeful more students will realize how fortunate they are to have this opportunity available to them and will consider staying in the trades. I hope they build enough confidence in their trade program to know they can do anything they set their mind to.”
McNally only wishes all of her students would be confident enough to enter the trades without any worries that they are not living up to their potential.
“If I could erase the stigma often attached to the trades I would do it in a second,” she said.
McNally hopes to use the prize money to enhance the carpentry shop at Southeastern.
“My first choice would be a bigger garage door to expand the limits of the projects we can take on. But since I don’t think that is feasible, I would really like to focus on outfitting the tool room with more or improved portable power tools, hand tools, levels, and squares to improve each student’s experience,” McNally said. “More tools will allow each student more time with the tools, instead of having to wait or alternate using the tools. The better my students become, the greater they are able to find employment and serve the community using their trade.”
McNally began teaching at Southeastern about 10 years ago following a career in the boat building and restoration industry, working at a high-end cabinet shop and then teaching yacht restoration in Newport, Rhode Island. Before all of that, McNally worked as a chemist for a short time. Down the line, a friend encouraged her to look into teaching in a vocational school, an idea that she initially rejected.
“A friend of mine encouraged me to look into teaching in a vocational high school. At first, I thought, ‘No way, teenagers are terrifying. They will stuff me in a supply cabinet,'” McNally said. “But ultimately, I hoped to make a greater impact. I spent time lining up my credentials to continue learning and growing, and almost 10 years ago I transitioned to teaching at Southeastern Regional Vocational Tech High School. It has been both challenging and rewarding.”
Superintendent Holly McClanan congratulated McNally on the award and thanked her for making such a positive impact on her students.
“Ms. McNally is a phenomenal teacher who makes a positive impact in the lives of all the students she encounters, providing insight and encouragement into how they can make the most of the excellent education they receive here at Southeastern,” said Superintendent McClanan. “We are grateful to have her as a member of the Southeastern community. We congratulate Ms. McNally on her Steel Apple award and we look forward to seeing her continuing to make a difference in the lives of her colleagues, students and their families.”
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Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School carpentry teacher Jennifer McNally, left, was congratulated by Superintendent Holly McClanan, right. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)
In addition to the recognition that comes with the Steel Apple award, Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School carpentry teacher Jennifer McNally is receiving a $10,000 grant to invest in her classroom and a prize package for her students, including backpacks and work gloves. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)
Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School carpentry teacher Jennifer McNally hopes to use the prize money to enhance the carpentry shop at Southeastern. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)
American workwear company Carhartt established the Steel Apple awards this year to honor educators shaping the next generation of skilled trade workers. (Photo Courtesy Carhartt)
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