16 | feature / the standard / dec. 2020
Building the future Woods II students build desks for Salvation Army donation
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n an effort to make a positive impact in a hurting world, woods II teacher Steven Cortez wanted to make a change. Cortez decided to wander off the normal teaching trail to create a project that would go on to impact others for many years to come. His woods II students would make desks to donate to students in need to use during at-home learning. Cortez has been teaching woods for 29 years. However, this year, the nature of the class has changed. Woods II can be a great outlet and opportunity for many students to express their creativity and think outside the box. “Woods II has always been a really open-ended class; it allows kids to apply what they have learned in woods I and make their own projects,” Cortez said. “But usually, at the beginning of woods II, we always make a project for the school or something of that nature — we will make a cabinet for teachers [for example].” Cortez said he values teaching his students lifelong skills that will continue to be useful as they go on in their life and believes one of the most impactful things as a teacher is watching how his projects can change a student’s attitude or day. “I just like seeing kids walk out with their chest puffed out, head held high because they made something that they are really proud of,” Cortez said. “It’s been really cool, and I like having kids being proud of their work. It’s not something that you make every day.”
The COVID-19 pandemic left Cortez with a grieving heart and a motivation to give back to the community. Cortez got the inspiration to make an impact while watching TV. “I saw a story on NBC News about a young man that was making desks for young kids that didn’t have a desk to use during COVID,” Cortez said. “And with all of them being at home, they needed a place to work, and I was really inspired by that, and so I asked permission from [principal Scott Roberts].” Cortez was moved by the story and wanted to create something similar within the woods II classroom. With the approval of Roberts, Cortez turned to different organizations to see who needed desks. “I started calling around, and I called the Salvation Army, and I left a message, and they were like, ‘Yes we need whatever you are making,’ and I told them that we are making desks and she said she has some kids that are starting the after-school program because parents can’t be there, and they all need desks,” Cortez said. “It was a perfect fit, and they are looking forward to the desks.” After finding a home for the class’s creations, the next task at hand was to design the desks in the most efficient and useful way possible. Cortez wanted to create a desk that was very functional for the children and the situation that they may be in. “After calling the Salvation Army, we decided to make a 32-inch desk a little bit shorter because a lot of times these kids don’t have a lot of room in their home,” Cortez said. “And so the project entails making a desk that is portable, fairly light and has a drawer for them to keep their keepsakes and pencils and stuff in.” Junior Tyler Wells said Cortez’s fun and relaxed personality led him to take woods II. Now, Wells said he thoroughly enjoys the class for his friends, but also because he can give back to the community. “I had Mr. Cortez for broadcasting and he’s a pretty cool teacher and it’s fun to take a class with a teacher you really like,” Wells said. “This class has impacted me by seeing how other people are being affected by this pandemic.”
