Skip to content
Fine Woodworking
Main Menu
Subscribe
GET THE MAGAZINE & MORE
Magazine Cover
  • Save 69% off the cover price
  • Or, get everything with UNLIMITED, including 40+ years of the online archive.
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • Projects & Plans
  • How-To
  • Shop Tips
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Magazine
  • Video Workshops
  • Members
  • Forum
  • Gallery
  • Blogs
  • More
    • Log In
    • Join
    Fine Woodworking Main Menu Subscribe
    Editors Mailbox

    Cutting-edge High School Woodworking Program Thrives in Ohio

    Author Headshot By Tom McKenna Apr 06, 2009
    Article Image

    First year students make this cutting board. Anthony Mills, 9th grade, level one, built this one, made of padauk, maple, walnut, cherry, and oak. The finish is lacquer.

    Jim Buker wants his woodworking students to believe in themselves and to have fun.

    Judging by what his kids are creating, it looks like he’s been successful. Buker, the woodworking instructor at Ontario High School in Ohio, since 1986, gives students free reign in their furniture designs. “I want to make them believe they can tackle complex projects,” he says.
     
    The woodworking program has three levels, from basic to advanced. Buker starts level-one students with a primer on shop and machine safety. In that class they make a chic cutting board, which introduces them to hand tools and machine skills. This project is followed by a small jewelry box and a segmented bowl. Once they’ve finished that core class, students step freely into a woodworking world with no boundaries.
     
    The average class size is about 20, and Buker grades students based on use of time and initiative, craftsmanship, skill and technique, aesthetics, creativity, and how well they fulfill their objectives. “I have about four or five kids stay after school to work in the shop,” he says. “For many of my students, the time spent in my class is the best part of their school day.”

    Buker mentions that many past students have pursued degrees in art and some have even become professional woodworkers. A few of his current students are applying to prestigious art schools, with plans to focus on furniture design. But not all of his students pursue woodworking careers. “I have taught students who are now businessmen, lawyers and doctors. But they still know something about woodworking,” he says.
     
    One carrot that Buker dangles in front of his students is the chance to appear in the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition. It’s a statewide competition, featuring various art media from woodworking to glassware to painting and sculpture, in which 12,000 to 13,000 entries are whittled down by judges to a collection of 300. Those top pieces are put on exhibit at the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower. From those 300, 25 students are chosen to receive the Governor’s Award of Excellence. Some of Buker’s previous students have made the finals.
     
    To me, the most amazing thing is that Buker does this on a shoestring budget of $3,300 per year. Students pay for their own lumber, and there is a materials fee of $30 per class to cover the costs of miscellaneous hardware, glue, etc. Buker is not alone in his venture. His wife, Julie, an art instructor at the school, helps students with proportions and form. “She helps to drive the program,” says Buker, “encouraging the kids to look at their furniture as an art form.” He also gets an assist from a volunteer, Mike Frye, a retired teacher and an avid woodworker with a passion for the craft.
     
    It’s wonderful to see a woodworking program thriving during these times of school budget cuts. Many high school woodworking and industrial arts programs are being eliminated, victims of tough times. “That’s too bad,” says Buker. “It’s a real shame that kids don’t get the opportunity to experiment, tinker, problem-solve, and work [wood] with their hands. I think we need to encourage our children to be self-dependent in their daily lives.”
     
    Click on the photos to see some of his students’ creations. Also, visit our online gallery for of this student work.

    Sign up for eletters today and get the latest techniques and how-to from Fine Woodworking, plus special offers.

    Sign Up

    First year students make this cutting board. Anthony Mills, 9th grade, level one, built this one, made of padauk, maple, walnut, cherry, and oak. The finish is lacquer.

    Table by Amber Rose, 12th grade, level 2. Made of sassafras and bendable plywood. Finished with toners and lacquer.

    Box by Brianna Johnson, 9th grade, level 1. Made of padauk, maple, oak, and cherry. Finished with lacquer.

    Tall clock by Hanna Stickelman, 11th grade, level 3. Made of bendable plywood, birch plywood, and poplar. The clock face was made from a scan of Hanna's face. Finished with various toners and lacquer.

    Glass-top table by Jordan Gerhart, 11th grade. Made of poplar, padauk, and maple dowels. Finished with black lacquer and lacquer.

    Bookcases by Jordan Kyff, 11th grade, level 2. Made of bendable plywood, birch plywood, and poplar. Finished with toners and lacquer.

    Table by Yush Chandat, 11th grade, level 2. Made of poplar. Finished with black lacquer, toners, and lacquer.

    Table by Kyle Schroemer, 11th grade, level 2. Made of poplar, cherry, and padauk. Finished with black lacquer and lacquer.

    Chest of drawers by Whitney Schluter, 10th grade, level 2. Made of oak and oak and birch plywood. Finished with stain and lacquer.

    Table by Cassie Boyce, grade 12, level 2. Made of sassafras, padauk, and maple. Finished with lacquer.

    Get woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox

    Sign Up
    ×
    X
    X

    New Feature

    Fine Woodworking Forums

    Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

    Get It All!

    UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.

    Start Your Free Trial

    Subscribe to Fine Woodworking

    Save up to 56%

    Subscribe

    Comments

    1. arihato | Apr 07, 2009 03:59pm | #1

      WOW, I wish I had a class like that when I was young!

    2. Simon_L_ | Apr 07, 2009 08:12pm | #2

      Just wow ! It makes me think of Alice In Wonderland

    3. User avater
      bricofleur | Apr 07, 2009 08:28pm | #3

      Attaboy! They all really do nice work. I believe several of them are futur contributors to FW magazine (hope so).
      What inspiration!
      Congratulations to all.
      Best,
      Serge

    4. kmack | Apr 08, 2009 01:50am | #4

      Fantastic! I make my living building furniture, and have my high school woodshop class to thank for it.My Uncle taught woodshop for 37 years and I was fortunate to have him for 4 years. I never made anything that comes close to the skill level these kids make, but I did get the bug for more. What fascinated me was the ability to make just about anything I could imagine. I saw what my uncle made and he told me, with time I could do the same. Without a class like this many kids never find this potential skill. Forget that they may use the skills learned to become a furniture maker, better yet they learn they CAN do what they once thaught they could not.Keep up the great work.

    5. Mortimor | Apr 08, 2009 05:05am | #5

      Please tell Hanna, "WOW!" Does she have talent or what? I am so impressed that anyone could make such an Alice in Wonderland creation. I am sure she has a great career ahead of her.

    6. Mortimor | Apr 08, 2009 05:07am | #6

      This is beautiful. I am so impressed with the talent and hard work that went into all these creations. I am very jealous.

    7. Mortimor | Apr 08, 2009 05:14am | #7

      I had to look at this clock again. I really believe it is museum quality work and I am stunned at the workmanship, detail, and originality. I rarely am impressed with the art nouveau we see in modern art galleries but this is inspirational, beautiful, whimsical, and very original - I hope to see it in a museum. I hope Hannah that you make some companion pieces to go with the clock.

    8. User avater
      SweetBabe | Apr 12, 2009 03:54pm | #8

      Very nice work! They should be proud.

    9. User avater
      sam7iam | Apr 16, 2009 10:52pm | #9

      A far cry from the very meager offerings in my old high-school! We were 'directed' toward other careers. It is wonderful to see the result of such obvious hard work and inventiveness.

    10. DrKraig | Aug 21, 2009 02:52am | #10

      Amazing work! I am in awe at the craftsmanship.

    11. User avater
      Red_F | Mar 16, 2010 03:36am | #11

      This is AMAZING to see coming out of a high school!! This inspires me to want to be a teacher. I love the dancing bookshelf.

    Log in or create an account to post a comment.

    Sign up Log in

    More Editors Mailbox

    View All
    • Free plans for Unlimited members

    • From the editor: A shop to call home

    • Production in the time of Covid

    • Free Videos for Father's Day

    View All

    Up Next

    Featured Workshop

    Shaker candle stand with Christian Beckvoort

    He’s built dozens of round Shaker stands over four decades, so there is no one more qualified than Christian Becksvoort to demonstrate making this classic. In this seven-part video series,…

    Featured Projects & Plans

    Build a Contemporary Sideboard

    Chris Gochnour's sideboard combines usefulness, strength, and beauty in a contemporary case piece

    Related Stories

    • How to Assemble a Dovetailed Box

    • Making a Bracelet Box, Part 1

    • Demystifying construction details

    • Elegant side table

    Discussion Forum

    Recent Posts and Replies

    • |
    • |
    • |
    • |
    • |
    • |
    View More Create Post

    Member Exclusives

    More Member Exclusives
    • Simple dovetailed Box

      Milling Stock for a Dovetailed Box

      How to mill parts for a box that are straight, flat, and square.

    • wiping varnish finish

      How to brush on a varnish finish

      A wiping varnish goes on easily and creates a tough surface ready for rubbing out.

    • door and drawer pulls

      Continous grain, mitered door and drawer pulls

      Larissa Huff and Robert Spiece's smart construction techniques make fashioning their small parts safe and repeatable.

    • Arts and Crafts coffee table with story-book charm

      Arts and Crafts coffee table with story-book charm

      With an understated shelf, beveled through-tenons, and stretchers shaped at the ends to corbel-like curves, this coffee table evokes the traditional Arts and Crafts style without being too serious.

    Highlights

    • Shape Your Skills

      when you sign up for our emails

      Plus tips, advice, and special offers from Fine Woodworking.

      Sign Up
    • Shop Talk Live Podcast

      Shop Talk Live Podcast

      Our biweekly podcast allows editors, authors, and special guests to answer your woodworking questions and connect with the online woodworking community.

    • Woodpecker Sweepstakes

      Woodpeckers Shop Upgrade Giveaway

      Enter now for your chance to win more than $2,000 worth of woodworking equipment from Woodpeckers. Click for full details.

    • Staff Picks Blog

      Our favorite articles and videos

      We have created these special content collections organized to give you a deep dive into a range of topics that matter.

    From the Store

    View More
    • 2020 Fine Woodworking Archive

      Buy Now
    • 52 Boxes in 52 Weeks

      Buy Now
    • Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking USB

      Buy Now
    • The Why & How of Woodworking

      Buy Now
    View More

    Get the latest from Fine Woodworking Magazine

    • #289-May/June 2021

      • Arts and Crafts coffee table with story-book charm
      • Links from Fine Woodworking issue #289
      • Seven tasks for a block plane
    • #288-Mar/Apr 2021

      • Phil Lowe: A craftsman and gentleman
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #288
      • Phil Lowe: craftsman, teacher, friend
    • #287-Jan/Feb 2021

      • Simple, handsome 17th-century box
      • Online extras from FWW issue #287
      • Editor's letter: Finding sanctuary in the shop
    • #286-Tools & Shops 2021

      • Shoulder plane setup and use
      • Online extras from FWW issue #286
      • From the editor: A shop to call home
    • #285-Nov/Dec 2020

      • Make a dovetailed desktop organizer
      • Online Extras from FWW Issue #285
      • Announcing FWW ambassadors

    UNLIMITED membership - Get access to it all

    Start Free Trial Upgrade Membership

    Fine WoodWorking

    Follow

    Newsletter

    Get woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox

    Sign Up

    Membership & Magazine

    • Members
    • Digital Libraries
    • Join Unlimited
    • Magazine Subscription
    • Magazine Renewal
    • Gift a Subscription
    • Customer Support
    • Manage Preferences

    Taunton Network

    • Fine Homebuilding
    • Green Building Advisor
    • Fine Gardening
    • Threads
    • About
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Careers
    • Copyright
    • Terms of Use
    • Accessibility
    • California Privacy Rights

    © 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Get instant access to over 100 digital plans available only to UNLIMITED members. Start your 14-day FREE trial - and get building!

      Main Menu

    • Projects and Plans
    • How-To
    • Shop Tips
    • Tools & Materials
    • Videos
    • Gallery
    • Magazine
    • Video Workshops
    • Members
    • Forum

      Popular Topics

    • Design
    • Small Projects
    • Beds
    • Chairs, Benches And Stools
    • Built-ins
    • Storage And Shelves
    • Cabinets
    • Carving
    • Casework
    • Desks
    • Tables
    • Shop Storage And Furniture
    • Woodturning Projects
    • Workbenches
    • Surface Prep

      More

    • TV
    • Forum
    • Blogs
    • Webinars
    • Podcasts
    • Customer Support

      Account

    • Log In
    • Join

      Magazine

    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Digital Libraries
    • Magazine Index
    • Subscribe

      Membership

    • Member Home
    • Start Free Trial
    • Gift Unlimited
    • Log In

      Shop the Store

    • Books
    • DVDs
    • Taunton Workshops

      Events

    • Fine Woodworking Live
    • Fine Woodworking HANDS ON

      Account

    • Log In
    • Sign Up

    Newsletter

    Get woodworking tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

    Sign Up

    Follow

    UNLIMITED

    Become an UNLIMITED member and get it all: searchable online archive of every issue, how-to videos, Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking digital series, print magazine, e-newsletter, and more.

    Start Your Free Trial

    Upgrade Membership