Early in my life I began working with leather. I made my first gunbelt and holster at age 11 and walked down the street to a Sporting goods store and put down $28.00 for a 6 shooter. Put it into the holster on the gun belt and walked out of the store. it was a common sight in those times. Unlike today. I taught school for 22+ years after my Military service. I was assigned to the kids that other teachers would rather not teach. They were great students whose parents were not readily conversent with, due to their demanding jobs. I told my students in my study hall that I made leather holsters for sale to help pay for my graduate schooling as I had a family also. I told them that I would teach them to make their own tools and patterns, and bring leather from my workshop to get them started, as I knew that study hall wasn’t their favorite class. Three students came up to see what I was doing the next day, however, soon the whole class was involved. they enjoyed makimg useful items from leather. Their academic scores went up also as they discovered self worth being able to make things. Soon the rest of the school students wanted to be included. the School board wanted to hold a meeting to find out about this program. So, the students chose a board member to make a gift for individually, I introduced the students to the board members. then let them distribute their gifts and explain how it made them happy to develop interest and understanding by learning an ancient skill. the meeting lasted about two hours, as questions and answers time was ongoing.
The School board was so impressed that they had two other teachers help open the classes to the other students, then later built a shop for Leatherwork. The st udents were successful, they were happy and so were their parents and teachers. It was a joyful moment in time for all of us! For the last 5 years of my time at this school, all that I taught the students was about Leatherwork, as I also, taught them the history of this trade and the values of those who had these skills. this was the largest shop program in the County. it was well worth their time and mine also.
You never know how successful you can be until you try! this is why so many offerings that used to be available to all students in the past should still be ellectives presented to their children and grandchildren of today! so many skills were taught in the public schools in the 40’s 50’s 60’s and on into the 70’s and 80’s that made our nation prosperous and relevant to students, parents, School Boards, communities, Families and the general public. Students now not onlyh had found happiniess and self worth, but, an income that could offer them a way to pay for higher education!
The largest newspaper in this large county in one of the largest States in the United States, ran a three page spread on the successes of these wonderful students and their peers that warmed the hearts of their community. It would still offer greater benefits if we could encourage our younger generations with skills the building blocks of a nation’s successes of today. So many other values that could bring happiness and open doors for all who are interested, would strengthen our nation today. Who knows who will invent the next miracles of tomorrow unless their interests were sparked by early successes of today?
