A close friend recently died. His wife wants to give his tools to some ogranization or person whose mission is providing tools to kids along with training. Any suggestons would be appreciated.
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Replies
Local school shop? It's not exactly giving the tools to kids, but it would touch a lot more kids that way.
Pete
thanks Pete
Local school shop?
Off topic, but 3 of the 5 local high schools here have closed their wood shops. If someone wants to take woodshop, they have to enroll in the vocational school program. Not very practical for academic students with an interest in woodworking.
It's a sad day when liability concerns outway education.My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard
It's a sad day when liability concerns outway education.
From my experience I'd say that liability is a small part of the problem. Mandated courses and local priorities have taken away the financial resources for the shop programs. Often the students who benefit the most from the shop programs are the ones with the smallest voice in the system. The squeaky wheels are most often higher academics, special needs, and athletics.
I’m no expert, but I part of my job is to assign classes (who teaches what when) at the high school where I work. As I see it liability is an issue because it is a huge cost; add in materials, machine repairs et cetera and the cost to run those programs is a problem. It is a very tough job to decide how to use our very limited resources. Also as our society becomes more high tech people just don’t see woodworking as a viable career option (most if not all of the kids taking the class view it as a hobby) Many schools are going to tech programs that include robotics, CNC, computer drafting and so on. I also wonder if people going into the teaching field have the knowledge or experience to successfully teach a woodworking program. My school has had a few student teachers in the shop classes over the years, none of them were woodworkers.
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That being said I took a community ed. class at a local HS (not mine). The things that went on there are amazing, and as I see it, it was based on one thing -- the teacher. When he was hired they had a few busted up machines. Now, nearly the whole shop is brand new, the school gives him the funds because he brings in the kids, and the things many of the kids make truly are fine woodwork. In fact his program brings in kids (and a portion of the state $ attached to them) from other districts. This teacher also has a yearly fund raiser that generates about 5k, and many connections in the industry that are willing to donate or sell at greatly reduced prices. My point here is that this situation is one unlikely to happen many places.
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One really sad thing is I also attend a wood turners club, the club meets for free at the HS where I took my community Ed class. Many of the club members are pissed that the club voted to allow the kids at this HS to use one of our lathes. Now keep in mind that we use a space to meet for free, someone has to come and let us in as well as lock up on a Saturday, and the teacher has to approve which students can use our lathe. I spoke up at the meeting and explained that we were lucky to have a place to meet, and we should return the good will. I’m not sure if I swayed the vote, but I hope I did.
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My own state of <!----><!----><!---->Michigan<!----><!----> is right now trying to decide how to change the minimum graduation standards. The change that seems most likely is to require all students to take a college prep curriculum. Now don’t get me wrong, college prep is a very good thing, but only about 25% of our state is college educated, and if this requirement passes forget about kids taking electives. I think it’s a sad thing that woodworking, metal working and other programs are going by the wayside. I also agree that there are times when the kids who need a voice the most are the ones who are disenfranchised. If any one would like to do something to change this call the shop teacher at your local HS, and ask what you can to support the program. Demonstrate a technique, give them unused tool or lumber (but not junk) or offer to aid.
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You've made some interesting points. I think a school shop is the best place for donated tools. As many on this thread have pointed out, finding one can be a problem. Traditional shop programs are in trouble and have been for a decade or more. I believe that the emphasis placed on "college degrees" is a function of greed. I see many people tell kids "get a degree so that you can earn more money". I'm in New York state, where for years we have been "raising standards" (in NYS, when we say we are raising standards, that means that we are lowering standards) and sending kids to college (many return after less than a semester). I like to think that there was a time when school shop classes were exploratory and allowed students a chance to take up hobbies and develop some life long interests. Almost 40 years ago in seventh grade I found that I liked woodworking and while that is not what I teach, woodworking is more than a hobby, its a passion. Find a school shop program and kill two birds with one stone - strengthen the program and get some kids interested in something other than surfing the net.
Greed? That’s an interesting prospective. Although I did not choose a career for myself with a high earning potential, I don’t think that someone who wants to make a lot of money is necessarily greedy. Take my own situation for example: My wife and I are adopting two boys with special needs. It is our wish that when the adoption goes through she quit work to care for the boys full time. Now four people living on a teacher’s salary will be pretty tight, and we by no means have anything close to an extravert lifestyle. I can’t afford to do woodworking now, forget about any hobbies, travel, and entertainment when she quits. I wish our society valued education enough that someone like myself (with a master’s degree and 12 years experience) could earn enough of a salary to support a family of four. The only way we will be able to pull it off is because we will receive a small adoption subsidy, and I will find a second job.
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Although I firmly believe that greed at a different level is firmly to blame. A little while ago the hourly people wife’s shop avoided a strike by agreeing to pay a greater share of there health benefits. The CEO of her company made $13,000,000 that same year, presumably because the company was quite profitable. In my mind the fact that about 140 families losing benefits had a direct connection to this $13 million dollar compensation is immoral. Myself, I’ve received a 1% pay increase for four consecutive years, and also paid a greater share of my benefits for four years, basically I take home about the same amount of money I did four years ago, but of course the cost of living continues to rise and I need to take continuing education classes at about $1000 a crack. One of my biggest soapboxes is the distribution of wealth in our society, the rich get richer . . .
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As I see it a major problem in education is most of the decisions are made (on all levels) by school boards. The boards are usually well-intentioned people who want what’s best for kids, but they are seldom experts in education. Back to my state of <!----><!----><!---->Michigan<!----><!----> wanting to raise the graduation standards. They believe that this will give kids a better chance to find a job, and they are largely correct (but one size fits all seldom works for all). Manufactures are lobbying the state to push these changes through, but I see manufacturing jobs moving to southern states, <!---->Mexico<!---->, and <!----><!---->China<!----><!---->, where the workforce is less educated. I’d sure like to know why.
<!----> <!---->Again I want kids to take tough classes and be ready to go to college no matter what they choose to do after high school, but the reality is not everyone needs to take or is capable of passing a class like algebra 2 (which Michigan will likely require for graduates), and yes I realize that the skills needed to pass algebra 2 are also necessary to succeed in many of the trades
I say greed because to many times the conversation starts with "how much will I get paid", when it should start with "what are your skills, abilities and interests". We are now into times where unless I can show how each course will lead to a promising and well paying job, I must defend its value.
One perspective is that if students take the tough courses, work hard and develop skills then the money will take care of itself. A corner of shop philosophy traditionally was that this is a place to develop some interests and hobbies that you can carry with you throughout your life.
While high school shop classes can be the training ground for vocational education, many times it is a place to cultivate hobbies. I've said many times in my classes that I do not teach you to weld, I teach you about welding. To learn to weld (subsititute woodworking or anything else) you will have to spend a whole lot more time than we do in high school.
"Learn to respect the skill of an expert"
Hi Wink... I don't know where you're located, but if you check with the local High School, they may have a group of students who go to very deprived areas and help build schools and houses alongside the 'local' builders, sort of a Habitat for Humanity type operation. They always need tools to bring with them. Many times they leave the tools for the local people to use. In my area (downstate New York) one of the High Schools has sent students to Venezuela, Mexico and Colombia to help build housing etc.
Thanks Steve-will follow up on that line.
Hi -
It makes me extremely angry that this even came to mind, but please allow me to suggest that your friend check with her attorney to ensure that whatever steps she takes with those tools cannot possibly lead back to her in case of liability - e.g., if one should break or somehow harm the next user. She obviously isn't one of them, but the world's full of (expletive deleted)s who might stoop so low as to try to hurt her in the midst of her attempt to do the right thing.
---John
I share your revulsion but also thank you for the thoughts!!!
When I was teaching shop I would have gladly accepted the tools and either included them in the shop inventory or given them to other programs where they would have been appreciated.
Many communities have educational programs for the handicapped and usually are strapped for funds to purchase tools. More so even than public schools. Not knowing what your friend had for tools, it's difficult to recommend were to donate them, but my guess is that a typical program for the handicapped would be delighted to receive those tools that would fit its needs. My handicapped kids were extremely proud and appreciative of their tools.
Please pass my thanks on to your friend for her thoughtful intentions.
oldfred
thanks for your thoughtful reply. I will pass on your "thanks"
wink
Thank you!
I taught in public schools but always had the handicapped, all catagories, and found them thirsting for hands on experiences. It often took longer for them to master skills and/or concepts, but once learned they were never forgotten.
I still bump into many of them at the YMCA - they have advanced to adult programs and I've advanced to getting off my butt to exercise - and they are still my favorite bunch.
It's very easy to underestimate what they can do if given a chance.
Edited 2/26/2006 3:40 pm ET by oldfred
My buddy teaches woodworking through 4H, you could check w/ them. I bet a school would also be able to find a use for them.
I'll check our local JVS.
thanks
Where is your friend located? My father-in-law is a special needs teacher for native american kids in Washington State He is trying to develop a woodworking course for the kids through his tribal school. He has a shop space to use, but not much else. He may be interested in the tools.
Edited 2/28/2006 3:23 pm by lumberhoarder
I'm a bit reluctant to give out specifics w/o permission from the teacher. E-mail me and I'll forward it.
Hi Kzoo-
I was asking wink about the individual who has the tools to donate. Sorry if I wasn't clear about whose "friend" I was referring to.
Tony
Oh, I was not the one who had a friend w/ tools to donate.
Friend located in central Ohio. Transportation not a problem.
Thanks for the attention and interest.
Can you email me a list of some of the tools she has available? I will talk to my father in law about it.
Actually, My wife's sister lives near Cleveland, so we can certainly arrange pick-up if everything works out.
Thanks much
Tony
[email protected]
she's out oftown at this moment- as soon as she returns will wok up an inventory and let you know.
regards
Wink
I spoke w/ my father in law, he said they would be thrilled to have whatever she has to offer. Feel free to email me or if you prefer, you can contact my father in law directly. His name is Steve and his Email is [email protected].Tony
Edited 3/1/2006 9:05 pm by lumberhoarder
Don't know where you're at but in Maine and the Twin Cities there are programs that teach wooden boatbuilding to kids .......... might be a good home for those tools.
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