Editor’s note: This article was originally published at DavidJonesCreations.com. It is shared here with permission.
By David Jones
I recently had the opportunity to spend the day with adult CTE (Career Technical Education) students at Goodwill Silicon Valley, and it was an experience I will not soon forget.
Before working with the students, I built a model of the wooden locker they would be constructing. Me and my partner then brought the individual parts for another locker and used my completed model as a visual example. From there, we worked through the project one step at a time. We demonstrated each step, explained the process, and then stepped back so the students could do the work themselves.
And they did.
By the end of the day, the students had built their own lockers. But what stood out to me most was not just the finished product. It was watching the students help one another, solve problems together, share tools, encourage each other, and grow more confident as the day went on.
They were building lockers, but they were also building skills, confidence, community, and memories.
As an educator, I believe some of the most meaningful learning happens when people have the opportunity to create something with their own hands, work through challenges, and see a finished product they can be proud of. There is something powerful about being able to step back at the end of the day and say, “We built that.”
It was truly an honor to spend time with these adults. I may have shown them the steps, but they did the building. And in the process, they reminded me once again why I believe so deeply in hands-on learning, career education, and the power of people coming together to help one another.
We built lockers that day—but we also built community, confidence, and memories.
David Jones is a school principal, educator, and woodworker who believes in the power of hands-on learning. Through his woodworking business, David Jones Creations, he creates handcrafted pieces while sharing his passion for craftsmanship, career education, and building confidence through practical skills.
About Career Technical Education (CTE)
Goodwill of Silicon Valley’s Career Technical Education (CTE) program provides free, hands-on training that prepares adults for in-demand careers. Participants gain practical experience, industry-recognized certifications, and career support designed to help them build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in today’s workforce. Learn more about our Career Technical Education programs on our website.
