Woodshop teacher Mr. Ferguson has embarked on an inspiring project that began last year and continues to evolve this school year. The project, which started in September 2023, is to build a tiny home. Construction began in mid-April 2024. The goal for Mr. Ferguson’s construction class is to complete the house by the end of the school year in late May.
Once finished, the school district plans to donate the house to a charitable organization or sell it at cost to recoup material expenses. The aim is to provide the house to a homeless veteran or another individual in need, showcasing the students’ skills while giving back to the community.
Throughout this process, Mr. Ferguson emphasizes teaching students how to use tools safely. He said, “Having 36 students in a shop is really too many to give each student the adequate one-on-one training that I would like to provide”, acknowledging the challenges of classroom management. This year, his primary focus is on safety, which includes daily shop clean-up routines that instill a sense of responsibility among students.
Mr. Ferguson reflects on his journey into teaching by recalling, “When I was in sixth grade, the teachers asked us to take a personality inventory. It indicated that I had the aptitude to be a carpenter. I ignored it at the time, but it’s interesting how my life path eventually led me in that direction.”
Senior Sophia Ramirez shared her perspective on the woodshop department and Mr. Ferguson’s teaching styles. Ramirez said, “I absolutely adore his teaching style. He has been nothing but supportive to me and other students.” Although Ramirez is a relatively new woodshop student, having only started her junior year, she has had various exciting experiences through the class, such as winning first place in the county fair and speaking at school board meetings about the woodshop department.