I won a pretty cool award today..........

[mccoy178]

Today was the last day of classes and we had a staff meeting at the end of the day.  While there, I found out that the student body had voted me "Most Inspirational Teacher".  It was pretty cool.  We have a staff of 44 teachers.  I received a sweet glass trophy and $500.  It has reconfirmed my decision to leave my business and become a teacher.  The guy asked me if I had anything to say when I accepted the award.  I told him with my smartassed grin, "Not too bad for a first year shop teacher, huh?!"

[Kevin Mullins]

I had thought about becoming a shop teacher of sorts... especially out here in the smaller schools like we have. Just so much schooling of my own I would have to do to get there.

Good on ya !!   

[Ummon]

They still have shop class?? I'm pretty sure they got rid of that almost twenty years ago, round these parts.

[Franco B]

Congrats bud! 

I wish I had a shop teacher like you when I was at school!

[mountain]

 
Congratulations Ben! I have seen the dedication and passion you have towards those kids so I know it is well deserved.

[danny_galaga]

Yeah, good one 

[drventure]

I just wish teachers got the respect and pay they deserve.

Congrats on the award!

I still remember a science teacher I had in junior high that really got me started down the road in computers.

Good teachers stay with you like that...

[mccoy178]

Thanks fellas!  

They still have shop class?? I'm pretty sure they got rid of that almost twenty years ago, round these parts.

This is another reason why I'm excited about this.  Our curriculum, Technology Education, is one that is usually first to go.  I hope this helps at the state level in some way.  We are battling to keep our profession and are trying to get legislation passed to make our classes required for graduation.  They are greying up the situation by allowing students to take other courses to receive their applied arts credits.

[CheffoJeffo]

 

 

[shardian]

Thanks fellas!  

They still have shop class?? I'm pretty sure they got rid of that almost twenty years ago, round these parts.

This is another reason why I'm excited about this.  Our curriculum, Technology Education, is one that is usually first to go.  I hope this helps at the state level in some way.  We are battling to keep our profession and are trying to get legislation passed to make our classes required for graduation.  They are greying up the situation by allowing students to take other courses to receive their applied arts credits.

It baffles my mind that this curriculum is disappearing from school systems, especially in rural areas. Contrary to what rose colored glasses wearing administrators like to think, a majority of high school students simply aren't college bookworm material. Many dropouts realize this when the school system doesn't so they go ahead and start their career. How about we instead bring back the co-op curriculum for these kids and train them to be smart workers and business people? Teach them money management skills in a real world scenario, etc.

Anyways, I commend you for your achievement. Keep up the great work. Enjoy the satisfaction of enriching and changing the lives of kids for the better.

[LLUncoolJ]

It baffles my mind that this curriculum is disappearing from school systems, especially in rural areas. Contrary to what rose colored glasses wearing administrators like to think, a majority of high school students simply aren't college bookworm material. Many dropouts realize this when the school system doesn't so they go ahead and start their career. How about we instead bring back the co-op curriculum for these kids and train them to be smart workers and business people? Teach them money management skills in a real world scenario, etc.

Word.

Something simple like this could drastically reduce the amount of people who are in so deep with credit cards that they'll never see daylight. Or the people who didn't bother to ask what an ARM is before they signed the papers. It's unbelievable that most schools don't require learning common sense finance.

Congrats McCoy!. I loved shop class...except the sanding...the endless days and days of sanding. Do kids still cut or sand off fingers? That was a yearly occurance back in the day.

[whammoed]

I thought you won a leg lamp for a second there.  That would have been cool too.

Speaking of fingers...do you still have all yours.  Your not a real shop teacher if you have all 10 digits.

[Kevin Mullins]

It baffles my mind that this curriculum is disappearing from school systems, especially in rural areas. Contrary to what rose colored glasses wearing administrators like to think, a majority of high school students simply aren't college bookworm material. Many dropouts realize this when the school system doesn't so they go ahead and start their career. How about we instead bring back the co-op curriculum for these kids and train them to be smart workers and business people? Teach them money management skills in a real world scenario, etc.

 

Having had my first child graduate a year ago and two more to graduate next year ...... I'm a bit concerned at what kids get out of high school these days. It's definitely lost a good balance of academics and "real world". What little that is left of real world courses seems to be a big joke. So I'm always glad to hear from shop teachers and such that actually have a passion to "teach" the kids something rather than just float them along and throw an A their way.

[Fordman]

Congrats McCoy on the Teacher Award! 

I live in Ohio too and hopefully our wonderful state politicians get the school funding thing worked out soon! I know I pay alot in taxes and I dont have any kids in school, but I realize should have to pay my fair share. 

I used to be a school teacher also, but quit for a different career. I quit being a teacher because we wasnt allowed to teach anymore. We had to go by a set curriculum set by local politicians and not what the teacher thought the kids should learn. We had to drop 'How to address an envelope' because the school board said that letter writing is outdated and doesnt need to be taught anymore (email). Also the dumb zero tolerance policy for tylenol was another factor to me. I understand illegal drugs, but over the counter medication with a note from the parents was ok for me, but the local politicians say Tylenol and pot are one in the same. Tell that to the 16yr old female cramping from the 'cycle'. I was a History and Geography teacher. We dropped shop at our school 10 years ago. We dont churn out workers any more, just paper pushers! (stricktly my opinion).

Again, Teachers are underated and under paid! Goof luck if that is the career choice you make! 

Fordman

[LLUncoolJ]

The mistake here is thinking that politicians have any concept of common sense. As soon as a few squeaky wheels pop up, they cow down and the rest of us have kids sent home for having 'illicit drugs'. The few straight shooters are labled as cowboys or facists and are not re-elected. Sometimes (always) people need to be told when they are screwing up. It hurts, I know, I don't like being told I'm behaving like an ass or what I'm doing is a bad idea. But looking back, I'm glad Mr. Firth told me to use a push stick on the table saw...I still have 10 fingers.

[FrizzleFried]

Congratulations McCoy... I am sure you were pretty excited when you found out.  If I were in your position I would be...

[Donkey_Kong]

Congrats man! Very happy for you...1st year even!!??  Are you kidding me?


Would love to have my kids an any of your classes, our elective program is teh suxxors.  My kids both had to take two friggin years of choir each, before ever getting their hands on a piece of wood in shop class. Not to mention your video tech classes, love that stuff too...I don't believe it's offered here.

Keep up the good work, but don't kill yourself doing it!!