Cutting Class
Blythe and Chris Antrim Photo by Aniko Kiezel
FOR THEIR STUDENTS, SUMMER MEANS WOODSHOP
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or the past two years, Pocket residents Chris and Blythe Antrim haven’t taken a long summer vacation from their work. Some of their students have moved off campus to the Antrims’ garage, which has been transformed into a woodworking shop called Teacher’s Addition.
CM By Corky Mau Pocket Life
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The lesson plan is designed to keep unwanted furniture out of the landfill. Students hone their creativity, carpentry and math skills as they refinish old furniture. The Antrims teach at Rosemont High School. Blythe instructs English and drama. Chris teaches in the school’s Engineering, Construction and Design Academy, a program that partners with local construction companies. “At one time, our classrooms were next door to each other. Over time, our professional relationship evolved. We married in 2016,” Blythe says. The Teacher’s Addition began as a COVID-19 project. The name is a play off textbooks known as the Teacher’s Edition. The mission: Give new life to discarded furniture and entice the community to buy local. An early piece was an old bench from an East Sacramento home. The
owner loved the new look so much she encouraged the Antrims to do more. Now interested students assist. The most requested furniture piece is a children’s dresser that resembles Lego blocks. “The effort is time consuming, but so rewarding,” Chris says. “We enjoy teaching students practical skills, both in the construction world and in their daily lives. Many kids start with zero knowledge of painting, sanding, varnishing, etc. There’s a sense of pride on their faces when they look at their
finished piece.” Students often keep the refinished furniture. The Antrims aren’t just educators. They’re role models who motivate teens outside and inside the classroom. They aim to impart life skills—talents that pay dividends long after high school. “A majority of the used furniture is donated to us through word of mouth and NextDoor. This project helps us stay connected to our students and our community,” Blythe says. After meeting the couple, I gave the Antrims two old trunks from my garage.
THE LESSON PLAN IS DESIGNED TO KEEP UNWANTED FURNITURE OUT OF THE LANDFILL.
