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Profile: BO'Brien
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User Name: BO'Brien
Forum Rank: Newbie
Real Name:
Location Ontario, Canada
Occupation: Construction Technology Teacher
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Gender: Male
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Joined: Sunday, September 2, 2007
Last Visit: Tuesday, July 1, 2008 11:03:41 AM
Number of Posts: 0
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Last 10 Posts
Topic: Nick Names
Posted: Tuesday, July 1, 2008 11:00:25 AM
I have to also add that many of my students refer to me with a nick name. It is either "O - B" or "Obe's". Neither is ever given or taken in a disrespectful manner. I think in our school at least, you can see a level of comfort with the staff who have a nick name compared to many of those who don't. Sometimes it is just the name itself. Some names lend themselves easier than others to be replaced with an abbreviated version. It's actually funny how the new grade 9's are much more formal, but they adapt as they watch the seniors interact over time.
Topic: questions for an article on wood shop class safety
Posted: Thursday, December 6, 2007 3:41:37 PM
In my opinion, one of the most important issues concerning shop safety is class size. Whether or not we work in a big shop is not as important as how many fingers and eyes we alone are responsible for during each individual class. Consider too that not all of our students are academically strong. Some have behavior issues, learning disabilities, and some might not want to even be there. When you throw into the mix the fact that each tool, including hand, portable and stationary has the ability to permanently disable and/or disfigure, it is no wonder that tradespeople are not scrambling to get into the profession. Class size should be a realistic reflection of the "horsepower" that we are working with at the time. I would like to see if any boards have written in their contracts any hard class size caps for technology.
Topic: extreme makeover, woodshop edition
Posted: Thursday, November 22, 2007 5:39:02 PM
Gentlemen, I would like to throw my opinion in on this if I may. First of all, as a fairly new member, I am extremely impressed with this forum. Tom directed me here during a lengthy phone conversation following his article in the September issue of American Woodworker. Tom has had much success with enrollment, clientelle etc. I bought his "Recruitment" CD for $10.00, and had it shipped all the way up here to Ontario Canada. It was well worth the $10 bucks even when our dollar wasn't worth as much. I also received an itemized list of what his "Curriculum" DVD contains. It is indeed extensive. It does seem expensive, but ........ (and I haven't bought it yet), if anybody needing help could use half of it, I bet it would seem like a bargain. I also do not have a problem with someone being rewarded for the kind of hours that must have gone into this. Scrappy is also correct when he says that there is tons of amazing free stuff available here and elsewhere on-line. This a choice that everyone gets to make for themselves. I have visited many of the web-sites that have been posted here and am quite impressed. It looks like that many of us on both sides of the border have similar issues and problems ......... budget, dumping ground syndrome, class sizes etc. Open communication like we have here is invaluable. Opinions should be freely expressed.
Topic: questions for the woodshop teachers out there...
Posted: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 6:00:32 PM
Mike,
I work for the same school board as DavidS does here in Ontario. Both of the previous comments were right on. If you enjoy the work, the students will feed off of that. When you work with them, you will earn there respect much more than when you just tell them what to do. In the technology courses, we also have much freedom to help these kids build their self-confidence while they build their projects. We have that flexibilty to pick various levels of difficulty of projects that will allow them to experience the feeling of success. This is unfortunately a new feeling for many of these kids. When they finally "get it" when you are trying to teach a new concept or skill, that is what makes the job most rewarding. You don't see many people quitting it once they get in. That in itself should speak volumes. By the way, I am in my 25th year at it, and I am still enjoying it. Good luck with your decision-making.
Topic: East Coast Colleges
Posted: Sunday, September 30, 2007 5:00:15 PM
I don't know if you would consider a Canadian School in Ontario, but you might like to take a look at Connestoga College in Kitchener, just west of Toronto. Their website can give you more info regarding their woodworking programs. Check out their gallery of student work. This not for the underacheivers. I have two former students who went there a few years back and they are both being well paid for their passion - woodworking.
Topic: Okay, next question - Managing monkeys w/multiple projects
Posted: Monday, September 17, 2007 6:31:50 AM
Hi John,
I agree with Dean about choosing the projects for them in the beginning. For my grades 9 - 11, I select the projects but I allow them each a bit of flexibility in the design process. Each assigned project must include a number of selected wood joints, but the "look" of each student's work will be a little different from the next. This way, they take on some ownership of it, while staying unique. This also minimizes the potential theft of "alike" parts due to absences. My grade 12's have much more freedom in project choice, but by then, I do know them and what they are capable. I would not let them take on something that I know would be impossible. Challenging ... yes, but not something that would frustrate them to the point of giving up part way through. Good luck with it.
Topic: Great Site and questions about work ethic
Posted: Wednesday, September 5, 2007 8:12:04 PM
Mr. Hill
I think that one of the best ways that you can encourage your students to exhibit the traits that you want them to is to just be yourself. Most woodshop teachers have done their share of the grunt work etc. prior to their career in education. I think that the students respect any teacher that is willing to roll up their sleeves and work along side of them. That doesn't mean that they don't do most of the work. But when we demonstrate that we are teaching from our experiences, that we really can make a tight joint, or even just swing the hammer, I think that they can relate to us because they know that we were in their shoes at one time. We not only tell them how to do certain things, we can show them. Good luck with it.
Topic: Climbing the professional Ladder
Posted: Monday, September 3, 2007 8:30:45 PM
Since I am new here, this reply is coming a bit late. Here in Ontario, Canada, I think it is similar to others in many locations where we tech teachers actually enjoy our work. We enjoy the flexibility of personalizing each and every program to fit each student (this is not so easy out of a text book) and it is extremely enjoyable when the light comes on for our students. We get to journey with them from a feeling of "I can't do this" to "Wow! Look what I have done". It doesn't get much better than that. On top of that, we KNOW that what we give to them, they will actually get to use in their life later on. To those who do choose to climb that ladder, thank you so much. It is rare indeed to get support from someone who might actually understand our needs and concerns.

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