Michael Dushel Staff members from College Gardens Elementary School, Rockville, pose with Habitat for Humanity, Montgomery County, staff and future homeowners after a morning of working together Nov. 12.

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Members of the College Gardens Elementary School, Rockville, Leadership Team worked Nov. 12 to bring a Silver Spring family closer to their dream of home ownership through Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County.

Twelve staff members, spearheaded by acting assistant principal and International Baccalaureate Coordinator, Michael Dushel, laid shingles, cut wood and added foam insulation to the home during their day of action. They also donated money to the project, adding about $700 to the building fund.

“Members developed not only technical home building skills, but transferable ones such as cooperation, communication and creative and critical thinking,” Dushel wrote in an email.

They were rewarded by lunch brought to the site by members of the school’s PTA.

Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County is a nonprofit whose goal is to create affordable housing and revitalize neighborhoods.

“They are the first group of teachers that I’ve worked with,” said Amanda Fein, manager of individual and corporate gifts for Habitat. “We were really excited. It’s nice to have different professionals, people who are giving back already.”

Dushel said he came up with the idea because the IB Primary Years Program includes action, empathy and appreciation.

“The teachers were great role models for students. [I] hope this service will spark more ‘action as service’ for all members of the College Gardens community,” Dushel wrote.