Aidan Cleary graduated from Panther Valley eight years ago, but last week he was back walking the halls of his elementary school.

This time, he was leading a project to refurbish the teachers’ lounge, in his role as an assistant manager at Lowe’s in Lehighton.

“It feels really good to be back and helping them,” Cleary said.

Earlier this year, Lowe’s awarded the school a $40,000 grant to revamp the teachers’ lounge. The entire room, from floors to ceilings, is being redone - with new cabinets, countertops, appliances and furniture.

On Friday, Cleary and fellow Lowe’s employees, including some Panther Valley graduates, volunteered to give the faculty room a fresh coat of paint and build a wall.

The project was a way to say thank you to their teachers.

“It means something to me,” said Corey Evans, who attended Panther Valley Elementary, and has children of his own enrolled there.

Some got to connect with their teachers.

Kayla Little graduated in 2022, but it had been several years since she saw her own teachers. She takes opportunities to volunteer to help them.

“It’s nice. People are able to come and enjoy things again,” she said.

As the project lead, Cleary has also been helping the school order new appliances, and navigate challenges with the global supply chain. He’s been at the school all week as contractors completed other parts of the project.

“It’s not often that students have this opportunity to give back to their teachers, so it feels nice,” he said.

Teachers return Tuesday, and the renovated faculty room will almost be finished. They will have a new coffee maker, ice maker and refrigerator.

Robert Palazzo, principal of Panther Valley Elementary School, said it will give teachers a comfortable place to take a break and recharge.

“This project is for the faculty and staff, to make sure they’re able to give their best every day,” he said.