Our Woodworking Program

I have had a passion for woodworking since I was a child and after a successful corporate career, I now make custom furniture for a living. As I often say, for years I did what fed the family, now I do what feeds the soul. Make no mistake, I thoroughly enjoyed my experiences in business however I have always had a desire to create objects of beauty. As a child, my early woodworking and art experiences were not always positive. From an art teacher who told me “you can’t draw” to a wood shop class with poorly equipped instructors and dull tools, there was more than my share of frustration. But a patient father who, though his work was rough, taught me all he could, kept my love of the craft alive. Now as a successful woodworker and member of The New Hampshire Furniture Masters, I see it as my opportunity to inspire and teach our future woodworkers.

The commitment of The Seacoast Waldorf School to the woodworking program and their willingness to work with me to develop a successful curriculum was all it took for me to agree to take over the program. The first couple of months have been focused on organizing the workspace and tools (the yurt is such a fabulous place for the classroom) and creating engagement, excitement, and success with the students. The 22 students that I have the pleasure of working with every Thursday have been terrific to watch. Every week, we introduce and talk about the “wood of the week”...where it comes from; characteristics of it; texture and density and smell; and other properties. We also introduce a “tool of the week” with a similar discussion. And then we start woodworking!

The 5/6 grade has just finished a relief carving of a dogwood flower that they each drew themselves. A wonderful introduction to carving, they will now move on to carving a spoon. The 7/8 grade is working on carving their spoons and doing a terrific job. In all cases, the students learn far more than woodworking. They are learning patience and developing their creativity. They are learning to adapt when a desired outcome is not achieved on the first attempt. They are learning that tools, like all skills, must be kept sharp and maintained. And I as their teacher, learn from them each and every class. And I am reminded that my teacher was wrong... I can draw... I can create... and my job is to help them experience what they can do, and never to be told what they can not do.

Roger Myers
Seacoast Woodworking Teacher