During my teenage years, the only time I felt completely at ease was in shop class. Yes, shop class—the domain where those labeled as misfits and underachievers, or so we were led to believe, learned essential life skills using power tools, preparing us for manual labor jobs in the future.
However, I never understood the stigma that shop class carried as a last resort for the unfortunate. For me, it represented pure joy amidst a day filled with complex equations, historical facts, and language rules. When given a piece of wood, a saw, and an assortment of tools, all my insecurities vanished. It was a straightforward process: cut here, drill there, and with some wood glue, I could create something tangible—be it a simple box, a bird feeder, or a shelf for my cherished glass figurines. The satisfaction of crafting with my own hands was unparalleled.
Fast forward 35 years, and I found myself newly separated and navigating life in a smaller rental home. This space was in dire need of organization—shelves for the kitchen, bedrooms, pegboards for coats, and new shower heads. Yet instead of feeling overwhelmed, I embraced these tasks with enthusiasm, thanks to my shop class experience.
In our previous home, the closets lacked hanging bars and shelves. After researching various closet companies that were beyond my budget, I took matters into my own hands. I measured the spaces, ordered the necessary materials, and enlisted the help of a friend to assist with the heavy lifting, successfully building the closets myself. I tackled similar renovations in the kitchen, completing significant improvements on my own—all stemming from that one seventh-grade shop class.
Power tools shouldn’t be intimidating, and it’s unfortunate that shop classes are diminishing in schools. Every child should learn practical skills like hanging shelves, drilling into drywall, and performing basic repairs. Additionally, every adult should possess essential tools, including a drill, saw, and a basic toolkit.
Recently, I came across an Indiegogo campaign for the “Coolbox”—a next-generation toolbox equipped with Bluetooth speakers and a whiteboard, which sparked my enthusiasm. The sturdy shelves I built in my family home remained intact through the ups and downs of my life. Each morning, as I retrieved my clothes or cereal bowls, I felt a surge of pride, reminding myself, I made these. If I could construct shelves, I could surely rebuild my life from scratch.
Just the other day, I purchased a piece of plywood for an art project—mixed media flowers that serve as a form of healing. Unfortunately, I mistakenly had the plywood cut to the wrong size. However, with a simple saw, measuring tape, and a pencil on hand, I was able to rectify the mistake. Just like back in shop class—and at the end of my marriage—I assessed what needed adjustment, measured accurately, and without hesitation, I began cutting.
In conclusion, the lessons learned in shop class extended far beyond woodworking; they became life skills that equipped me to tackle challenges head-on.
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