Upon entering Woodworking Teacher William Edwards’ Construction Innovations class, it is clear that this class truly is nothing less than innovative. As upbeat music plays throughout the workshop, students work together at an expansive table covered with tools, cutting siding for the tiny house. Outside, students are drilling fans on the interior walls of the tiny house and installing the siding on the exterior walls. With tools in the students’ hands, helmets strapped to their heads and music in the air, this class is a fun way for students to get hands-on experience in construction.
This class is relatively new to Ladue, and the students are currently working on their very first tiny house. It lasts for half the school year, so each semester is unique and provides different life skills depending on the status of the home. Students learn a variety of skills such as design, woodworking, teamwork and more.
“It’s just hands-on education, problem solving and having kids work in groups,” Edwards said while reflecting on his favorite parts of the class. “That part helps us develop socially and emotionally more than they would any other type of classroom setting.”
Students appreciate having a class that gives them these experiences, both career-wise and socially.
“You get to experience if you want to go into the field,” Joey Chen (11) said. “I took it because it’s the closest thing to architecture.”
Although, taking on such a big project isn’t all fun and games.
“It’s daunting,” Edwards said in regards to the details required for a project of such a large size. “If I hadn’t had contracting experience, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.”
Despite the hardships, working together and problem-solving are what make the class so rewarding.
“My favorite part is working with everyone as a group to accomplish a main goal,” Jordan Chaitman (11) said.
While they still have a long way to go, Edwards and his students love to see their hard work come together.
“You work for a long time on a project and everybody is grinding everything out for weeks and weeks and weeks,” Edwards said. “Then when you finally put it all together and stand up, everybody comes together and realizes the hard work was all worth it.”
