At West Craven High School, students are gaining practical experience in potential career paths, including welding, through hands-on learning.
William Shaw, who teaches agriculture and mechanics, emphasizes the importance of practical experience. “The more time I can put them under the hood, on the grinder—in the shop is—is important to me,” he said.
In Shaw’s Agriculture and Mechanics 2 class, students are advancing beyond the introductory course.
One student shared, “I found it was really fun, so now I’m pursuing welding as a job.”
Another student expressed a desire to become a welder if given the chance, while others appreciate the active learning environment. “I’m not the type to just sit around, I like to keep being active,” a student said.
Shaw, who has taught over 1,200 students in the past 17 years, is motivated by a desire to help the community and teach others. “It’s just this ideal that I have, and I’m okay with that. And I wake up like that every day. I get to do this—yeah,” he said. His students are grateful for his guidance, with one noting, “Mr. Shaw, he’s also a pretty good teacher, he gives you life lessons and stuff.”
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Reflecting on his teaching journey, Shaw values hearing from former students. “And I ask you know—what did I do? And they’re like—you just let me try,” he said.