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Woodlinks U.S.A. classes begin for teachers at Hartford Union High School in Hartford, Wis.

The enthusiasm was contagious. Teachers and presenters shared ideas, stories and experiences at the WoodLINKS U.S.A. in-service sessions in Hartford and Oshkosh, Wis., April 10 to 12. Everyone participated in the discussions, whether it was at the informal get-together the evening before the in-service session began or during the presentations and tours. The two schools that hosted the presentations, Hartford Union High School in Hartford, Wis., and Fox Valley Technical College in Oshkosh, Wis., both exemplified high-tech woodworking programs in optimal learning environments. In-service participants got a glimpse of how strong support from community, industry and educators works together to build a dynamic program.

WoodLINKS U.S.A. is a not-for profit organization that 

develops modern wood manufacturing education programs for the wood industry in high schools throughout the United States.

"When you see the product, and you see the students and you see the capability of what our students can do and what our teachers can do in trying to address the needs of industry, it doesnât get better than that," says Wilf Torunski, WoodLINKS national program director.

Industry clout

Mark Smith, a teacher at Shiloh High School in Hume, Ill., says that before he joined with WoodLINKS, he was trying on his own to connect up with industry. "WoodLINKS is a visible organization with some clout that was doing what I was trying to do in my own little corner of the world. And doing it on your own at the local level is very difficult," he says. Smith says that WoodLINKS gave his program visibility and put him into contact with people he wouldnât have access to otherwise.

Smithâs high school recently purchased a Thermwood CNC router at cost and shortly afterwards students started building cabinetry and podiums for the school. Now students have graduated to building kitchen cabinets that are for sale in the community.

Smith says that he convinced the school board to go along with the purchase of the machine because of the discounted price to educators and the fact that the machine could be used to make money and thus teach the students on more than one level.

Industry connections often translate into donated materials, classroom demonstrations or opportunities for students to see woodworking in action through field trips, says Keith Yow, a teacher at Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsboro, N.C.

Johnny Brooks, a teacher at Lee High School in Houston, Texas, says that in his experience with other industries involved in education, companies would often "talk the talk, but not walk the walk." He says that his involvement in WoodLINKS has shown how beneficial industry can be to education when it becomes a true partner. His industry supporter, for example, provides summer internship opportunities for students in his program.

"WoodLINKS has been very supportive in bridging that gap between educators and the industry," Brooks says. And the administration listens to industry, which puts validity to the arguments of teachers, he adds.

Jim Wellever is the department head of cabinetmaking and millwork training at the Michigan Career and Tech Institute, a secondary school that prepares students with disabilities for competitive employment.

"WoodLINKS lends credibility nationally, when we try to get donations and so forth. The name is getting out there with industry and suppliers and manufacturers of equipment," he says.

The epitome of WoodLINKS seems to be the networking opportunities people found. "I came back from the West Virginia in-service with a fresh perspective on what I was doing, with renewed energy and enthusiasm," says Yow. An additional benefit was meeting the other high school teachers. "We communicate now and see what each otherâs students are doing."

Welleverâs background is in industry, so he says that the teaching aids and techniques are the most useful to him. He also says the WoodLINKS certification process adds value to the schoolâs certification. But for him the networking with other teachers and other schools is the greatest benefit. 

Brooks reiterates Welleverâs sentiments, "To me the most important part is the camaraderie as well as the networking with the industry itself."

On the right track?

"Are we really teaching what we should be teaching?" asked Dave Kenealy, teacher at Rockingham College in North Carolina and a presenter. This question echoed strongly among a number of the teachers. Participants were concerned about the lack of up-to-date material and equipment, not enough emphasis on the business side of woodworking and lack of support for programs by parents, industry and the community.

Joe DiNobile, a teacher at Southeast High School in Ravenna, Ohio, says that prior to his hookup with WoodLINKS he taught the woodworking program based on his knowledge from more than 30 years as a cabinetmaker.

"WoodLINKS has helped to put me in contact with industry partners and in return theyâre going to help me to develop my program to meet the needs of the woodworking industry. What I teach is going to be directly related to what they need in an employee," DiNobile says.

Yow says that the in-service sessions provide in-depth contacts with the presenters, who are available for an extended period of time. "Everybody thatâs been involved has been tremendous with responding to questions and telling us where to get materials," he says.

Consultant and WoodLINKS board member Jerry Hicks says many participants have been appalled with how little information and teaching materials are available. "And a majority of the information is way outdated," he adds.

Smith says that WoodLINKS has made a lot of teaching materials available, which has been very helpful. However, he would like to see all materials gathered in one place, one book or one centralized location.

Kenealy says that educators need to get students to think of all aspects of the business. "We canât get discouraged. I see a lot of opportunity for education. I see a lot of opportunity for that design or craftsman, that well-prepared critical thinker," he says.