Parts and Wholes

In order for my students to succeed in the shop they have to be able to work together.  It's essential for them to realize that each one of them plays a major role in the completion of each chair.  Their effort and attitude affects how the class performs as well as the quality of the end result.  I like being able to teach in this type of setting.  I find it highly worthwhile to teach kids how to hold themselves, and others, accountable.  Without this, we can only expect average results.  This is a very important lesson for us to teach our young folks.  Educating kids on how to work through tough times as a group, divide a problem up and share responsibility can be very rewarding.  Knowing how to do these things can have a profound impact on the way we think when it comes to working with others.  Kids need to know what it feels like to succeed when they have put trust in someone.  This is trust.  When trust is established amongst a group, possibilities for success begin to appear all around.  There absolutely is strength in numbers.  Lately I have put some of the woodworking aside in order to focus on creating more synergy within in my classes.  My notion is that this will make everything we do better- because no one works in isolation.  The last thing that we need for our kids is for them to be average.