Posted on 04/24/2023 1:52:49 AM PDT by CFW
There are some students who don’t really speak, who don’t really engage, who don’t show signs of confidence in the classroom.
But when that particular child finds a special thing and is energized, and talkative, and proud of what they’ve made or what they’ve learned — a teacher knows he or she has made a real difference in that kid’s life.
Anja Cleveland works with fourth and fifth graders to construct wood products at Danielsville Elementary School, and she said she’s seeing that happen on a regular basis, the brightness in the eyes, the silent child speaking, the energy that comes with confidence.
Kids of various skill levels are working in her classroom on collaborative projects, including a new set of picnic tables at the back of the school that are sturdy and smooth and now available for use by students and teachers for years to come.
(Excerpt) Read more at mainstreetnews.com ...
I post it because it shows how a couple of local business owners can make a difference in the future of some by providing a small sum of money to assist the students in learning basic skills that they can put to use in the future. Some of these young teens may end up taking what they learn in these classes to use in a future career. Or, they will have developed a useful hobby that will keep them from trouble as they get older. Anyway, I thought it was a heart-warming story of a local business contributing to their small community in a useful way.
It interests me and I’m Canadian. I fully support the idea of small projects that teach the principles of trades.
I think it is a great little local project that apparently doesn’t cost the business that much but adds so much to these children’s future. If they use the skills developed to do nothing more than build a planter for their mother now, or build a picnic table for the family years down the road, just think what an enjoyment they will get from that knowledge.
Seems like the sort of thing Mike Rowe would bring attention to in order to inspire more schools.
THIS is what America needs LOTS more of !
“THIS is what America needs LOTS more of !”
It is indeed. And, it doesn’t take much to provide it. Just a few dollars, experienced carpenters willing to share their time and talents, a cooperative school board, and a few interested children.
Danielsville, Georgia is located in Madison County just east of Athens (home of the UGA Bulldogs). It’s a very rural and conservative area where neighbor helps neighbor, and the local churches are involved in all charity and community events. The local rotary club builds handicapped ramps for the disabled and as the older carpenters pass away or retire from the project, new younger volunteers fill their spots. Skills are passed down from generation to generation so that those skills will not fall by the wayside and disappear.
I love living in a rural community.
I’m a cranky old man. I’m no teacher. I’m not even a parent. But when you explain something to a kid and then you see that light come on in their eyes when they “get it”.... that right there is something special.
As do I, FRiend.
Glad you posted this article .. will be interesting to see how many replies it gets.
Greatly Appreciate your post. This is a wonderful idea, of which we need to see more application.
Many ‘parents’ give their kids little encouragement, and no access to experiences which will build skills and confidence. Think how many young lives could be salvaged!
Excellent. In junior high school and high school, we called the class “shop”. Men teaching young men useful skills has almost evaporated from American public schools.
MIKE ROWE should be in charge
My nephew's son suffered from ADHD in school so he definitely did not have the grades to go on to college nor any interest to do so.
Fortunately for him, his school started an after school welding program in his junior year which he loved. After graduation, he enrolled in the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology in Ohio which is a 9 month program that cost approx. $35,000. Money well spent!
Following graduation in I think 2021, the job offers came rolling in.
He now has a lifetime, marketable skill and no college debt.
His original plan was to hook up with his cousin, who is a welder working for Ford, and invest in welding equipment and head out west and find work on the Keystone XL pipeline. Unfortunately, Biden put an end to that.
Anyway, he's still living at home but working his tail off.......
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