Mike is the metal shop teacher at Hyde middle school in Cupertino Union School District. He received his Teaching Credential from National University 8 years ago while working in the shop he now runs. I met Mike in the spring of 2009 while doing a long-term sub position teaching Art at Hyde.

5 questions for Mike:

1. Whats the most important thing you do that balances the rigors of being a teacher?

Physical activity and recreation by self and with family.

2. How do you see Shop in the next 5/10 years?

linking standards from all other subject areas to activities and lessons in the shop so that we can measure and show metrics on how shop adds value to and supports the whole curriculum. other subjects (science) are spending money on learning kits to get hands on experiential learning, and Mike makes the point that they have that in the school shops already.

3. Being a teacher with hands-on, product-oriented curriculum, what do you feel, if anything, your students get from the shop that they don't get from basically all other classes in a typical student's day?

gives a chance for kids that are strong in academics that experience the balance of a hands-on training. have a hands-on curriculum with a product gives kids confidence when they handle something they have made and are proud of.

4. Do you consider this current down turn and it's effects on education/teachers as our system faltering, or failing?
5. What are your initial thoughts on developing a business model(NPO) that is born out of a relationship with school shops, and opening opportunities for students to work towards earning a living as a builder, etc. starting in middle school? high school?