Hi, I'm wanting to start teaching Woodwork classes.

[NaturalEdge]

One of my daughters is attending an independent school which has a small workshop but no teacher, i am a cabinetmaker and boat builder by trade and would love to take on the wood work classes, has anyone done this kind of thing before? I have some ideas in terms of projects etc, guess im just asking for any info really? Thanks

[Asrainox]

I'm a secondary school teacher in design+technology and art and an amateur boatbuilder myself (Building a Hartley TS16 in the shed), and I can say that it's a steep learning curve (teaching), but it's a valuable part of the curriculum for the kids and they'd probably welcome it.

That said, school budgets are usually very tight, and they will probably find it difficult to fund, or they'd have it already. There's an oppressive level of OH&S and certification required to use woodworking machines in schools, which makes it hard to walk right into it. You'd need to submit a petition to school council advocating woodwork's inclusion in the curriculum to get the ball rolling.

[_fly_]

Just go with the things you made when you did it at high school.
The pencil case, the breadboard with a beveled edge and knife slot. The sowing box.
No power tools needed, was all done by hand.
I think after that you had plans you could search thru and make whatever you wanted from them. So after that you were all on different things.

[ian]

One of my daughters is attending an independent school which has a small workshop but no teacher, i am a cabinetmaker and boat builder by trade and would love to take on the wood work classes, has anyone done this kind of thing before? I have some ideas in terms of projects etc, guess im just asking for any info really? ThanksI'm not a Teacher -- but Eddie-the-Eagle is

FWIW, my observations of the practical side of school wood working are
Power Tools
Apart from battery screw drivers and sanders these are usually only used by the teacher (and then mostly outside of class time) or under 1 on 1 tuition -- especially true for those tools that can kill or seriously maim

Hand tools -- the student tool kit, in a box
tenon saw + tooth guard
hand plane -- usually #4 or #5 size,
chisels -- usually in a set of 3 (6mm, 12mm, 25mm, or thereabouts)
Mallet
marking knife/scribe
Warrington hammer
sanding block
try square

[smidsy]

The first problem is registration, by law you have to be registered with the Queensland College of Teachers. The added complication is that by law the supervising teacher must be suitably qualified - only a Man Arts teacher can take Man Arts classes. This means you cannot run the class with another teacher present (you say there is no Man Arts teacher) for the sake of legality. The second problem is that Man Arts is not just Man Arts anymore, there is mandatory curriculem requirements including graphics & design which must be incorporated - these are not negotiable.

In WA they have a Limited Authority to Teach (LAT) system where if there is no qualified teacher available a suitably experienced non teacher can apply for limited registration - unfortunately no such system exists in Queensland.

Being a cabinet maker you can probably scrounge the material for some great projects and other Man Arts teachers are always willing to help out, but you would not be legal, the work your students do would not be recognised and you open yourself up to a legal mine field.

At the risk of bursting your bubble, forget any romantic idea you have about teaching being all workshop and fun. I teach furniture, construction and engineering to years 10-12. For every hour I spend in the classroom I spend probably two on planning, preparation, paperwork and admin and I have a senior teacher, two managers and a principal I have to deal with. In the workshop 70% of my time is devoted to behaviour management and chasing kids to stay on task.

If you really want to do this, get the principal on side and run it as a non school activity on a Saturday morning.

As for tools the students use it varies from state to state. In WA the table saw is a teacher only machine, in Queensland my 11 & 12's use the big table saw and 10's use a smaller GMC table saw. The only tool I have found that the students don't use is the hand held power saw. When you start getting in to VET subjects you have to get the kids using power tools because that is what the competencies are.

[Carry Pine]

One of my daughters is attending an independent school which has a small workshop but no teacher, i am a cabinetmaker and boat builder by trade and would love to take on the wood work classes, has anyone done this kind of thing before? I have some ideas in terms of projects etc, guess im just asking for any info really? Thanks

Others are assuming this is a secondary school. If you are talking primary school, I've had experience. Can help.

Graham

[jeorgechello]

I'm also a teacher but in other discipline. What I can suggest is you either apply to a certain school and ask them if they want to open a workshop or subject on woodworking. Second option is you make your own school, you just have to ask for the requirements from the education department or agency.

[Chipman]

I must agree with most of what has been said here. We had an incident at our small school (fire) before I took over and obviously worksafe got involved and let me tell you I could work full time just doing all the paper work (SOPs, Risk Asessments, Maintenance/checking, Testing and tagging, Policies etc) and then there is keeping it all up to date.

It is unsafe to machine timber during class time so there is a lot of out of hours work. I would strongly recommend going to more basic projects that use more hand tools and move to safer finishes. (water based, Danish Oil, hand rubbed poly, wax etc)

There is an online facility to help with student safety training "ONGUARD" but remember everthing must still be documented.

Always check with state ed depts as to what machines students are allowed to used and as a teacher you may still be required to go through a certification process. (4 day course in VIC)

Then there is management of behaviour...

Oh and then there is the actual teaching!

But if you are passionate about it it is still enjoyable

Regards,
Chipman

[Ken-67]

Apart from all the other advise here, you must also bear in mind that anything you do outside the Qld Ed. system will require public liability insurance. If you already carry PL for your work, this will not be sufficient to cover what you propose.

[smidsy]

Another option would be to try and find a retired a manual arts teacher who still has registration and would like to keep his hand in.
I don't know about Queensland but in WA they have a volunteer centre which matches the skills of volunteers with the needs of organizations. If Queensland has such a thing they may worth contacting.

[Allan at Wallan]

Don't know if "Natural Edge" is still interested as he has not
responded since submitting this item on 15th July.

Perhaps Queensland has different rules but in Victoria anyone
teaching the kids woodwork has to
have a "Working with children" Certificate.

Two guys at our club undertook the task of teaching at a
secondary college last year, on a volunteer basis, and had
to produce the said Certificate.

Allan

[Col]

I was a woodwork teacher. I had to have 10 years industrial experience then did a course at Melbourne University to do the Diploma of Teaching -Technology. I taught prep to year 12 and after school adult woodwork classes. I also did a few stints at TAFE. I left a few years ago as I had had enough. My Brother in Law did a certificate IV in workplace training and assessment which allowed him to teach carpentry at a TAFE in a temporary position. I also had to do the certificate IV in training and assessment when I looked after the carpentry apprentices for the HIA though mine was a simple process of getting the recognition of prior learning for my earlier Diploma. I had to have the mandatory police checks to work with minors. I am no longer a registered teacher in Victoria though I doubt it would be that difficult to reinstate that if I felt the need. Check with the Queensland department of education or whatever they are called and ask them directly as to how you can get a start.

Col
Victoria.