Re: Viewpoints: Let’s have another look at the shop class
Thank you, Warren, for your views supporting the value of practical learning. We are all different and we all learn in different ways; therefore, the educational system should support as many programs as possible. As you mentioned, not all students are university bound, but they still have the ability to be successful in life.
I spent my teaching career in the workshop, and during my final 12 years I worked with nonacademic students. When Foothills Composite High School (FCHS) opened in 1984 there was a Trades and Services Program, later Occupations, that was for students who, by the time they reached Grade 8, had shown that they were not likely to graduate from high school. I was in the wood shop, but there were programs in beauty culture, small engines and food prep. The aim of these programs was to prepare students for work, and provide them with the ability to hold on to a job once employed.
One thing I did to promote the visibility of the workshop program to all staff was to open the shop, after school hours, to those who would like to try their hand at making something. It was very successful, and there were plenty of staff room discussions among staff who had been in the shop. I always felt I was on equal status with other staff members because they’d had insight into what actually took place in the shop.
Even though I took early retirement 28 years ago to do my own woodworking, I am still active and very involved with school programs. Last Friday I was in the FCHS shop showing two classes a seven-sided box I had made. All the sides are different in length and all the angles are different. Tomorrow, a local junior high school class will be coming to my shop to see what can be done if they wish to pursue woodworking in high school.
As you can tell, I could go on forever, but I think that tells you I really support your viewpoint on the value of shop class.
Richard Ellum, retired teacher
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