What I Wear to Teach (and why)
Hello, Stephen here and I wanted to share what I wore when teaching Industrial Arts Education.
And the why to my choices.
I started with a leather tool belt. This gave me large pockets to keep things handy. I would keep specific tools, like the Forstner bit for the CO2 car engine - and hand it to the student when they were at that step in the process.
The leather also gave me some protection to the front of my pants, so I came home cleaner (with less wear-and-tear) at the end of each school day.
One small problem was the large pockets being easily accessible (open) also allowed sawdust and other swarf to collect in the bottom of the pockets.
The tool belt kept other items handy for me - a pencil, a utility knife, or my shop keys. (I used a simple strap for my key ring so it was easy to grab, but not a loop that would catch on the vise handles when I walked by and tear my pants pocket.)
Originally I also kept hair ties (pipe cleaners) and pencils for students - but I found it easier to keep these items in containers by the office so students could help themselves.
Now I have switched to a canvas apron as my ‘uniform’. It still provides me with additional pockets and now protects my whole front (without adding additional clothing to my arms and shoulders).
The two large front pockets have flaps to keep the sawdust and swarf out. I can easily drop my cell phone into one of the pockets. (I always carry my cell phone now as it can be the most important tool in and emergency.)
One of the two hammer loops was modified by sewing in a strap across the bottom to holster my tape measure.
The top pockets hold handy items: x-acto knife, thick pencil, sharpie, scribe, hook, utility knife, 6-inch rule, one chopstick. I added a BB-8 Builder’s pin to separate one large pocket into two smaller pockets.
Why a chopstick? It is the best tool for pointing out something to a student without risking your fingers. I can touch the workpiece close to the cutting tool (or a hot tool) without any worries.
Other things I wear:
Safety prescription glasses - I need glasses, so I invested in a pair of safety glasses that I wear whenever I am in the shop.
Khaki pants - I have always liked the protection of denim, so khaki coloured jeans were my solution for safety while still dressing professionally.
Short-sleeves, rolled-up sleeves - I could wear ‘collared’ shirts to look professional while keeping my sleeves away from machines.
Leather boots - the small projects students were working on did not require steel toe boots, but closed-toe leather footwear was always worn in the shop.
No jewelry, no watch - The students need a clock visible to them while they work in order for them to learn to manage their time. I just used the same clock as the students.
Additional Information: Personally I have never liked the ‘shop coat’ provided at every school. An extra layer over my shoulders and the long-sleeves never felt right to me.
For further information:
If you are interested in specific information about teaching Industrial Arts Education that has not yet posted on-line, please contact us and we will provide additional information that in in draft format. (Contact: form or email - info.wrightbuilt.ca@gmail.com)
