Hoffman Estates High School Principal Mike Alther was in the school’s Media Center on Friday when a group of students walked in carrying a large surprise: a table featuring the school’s bright blue and orange colors.
Students work to secure legs for the table. (photos courtesy of District 211)
Turns out, Alther himself had worked alongside students in the shop to create the signature piece. He loved the experience and said the collaboration was about more than just building a piece of furniture. It was about building community.
He worked with Mr. Michael Schaffer, the Woodworking Technology teacher, who sourced the black walnut for the table and sent it to a local mill to prepare the wood for use.
“Mr. Schaffer took the lead in developing the project scope, sourcing materials, and guiding his students through each step of the construction process,” Mr. Alther says. “I joined the class to learn alongside the students, especially during the key moment when they applied and poured the epoxy which was swirled in vibrant blue and orange to reflect our school colors.”
Another student mixes the epoxy.
The way Mr. Alther sees it, the project created more learning experiences than merely rubbing down wood and mixing epoxy. He says students have gone on to apply their learning from the river table project to their own individual creations, developing craftsmanship, teamwork and problem-solving skills along the way.
But perhaps the most meaningful part came when the finished table was unveiled in the Media Center on April 25, he adds. The sense of pride was immediate and shared.
“This wasn’t just a class project — it became a piece of our school community,” Mr. Alther says “It brought people together in a way that was creative, hands-on and meaningful.
“The table has been positioned in a prominent space where all students and staff can admire it,” he adds. “It is our hope that the table will become a symbol of what’s possible when we work together as a community of teachers and students.”
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