Evansville Bosse High School Teacher Turns Construction Class into an Education in Entrepreneurship

Not All Classes Are Useful

When I was in college, I had to take a PE class. I thought I had left all that behind once I made it to higher education, but apparently not. I ended up in a Hiking class. Sounds cool, right? The only "hiking" we did was walking laps around the campus parking lot. It was a complete waste of time and money. Looking back at both high school and college, I can honestly say a good chunk of my time was wasted on things that didn’t really matter.

Do They Even Teach Home-Ec Anymore?

Sure, you could argue that classes like advanced Math and Literature help students develop critical thinking skills. But what about basic life skills? Schools used to balance both, teaching essential academics alongside practical knowledge. I remember taking a home-ec class in middle school where I learned how to sew, cook, and manage a household - all things I still use today. At the same time, I was also taking AP classes - most things I learned in those classes fell away years ago. But with today’s intense focus on standardized testing, life skills are increasingly left for parents to teach. And let’s be honest, not every kid has parents who can (or even know how to) teach them these things.

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School & The Real World

Lately, there’s been a bigger push to make school curriculums more relevant to the real world, and it’s about time. This tweet sums it up perfectly…

One class that is teaching real-life skills while also fueling creativity is Mrs. Leigh Gray’s construction class at Bosse High School.

Bosse Constructed Creations

I first heard about it when a friend shared a post from a Facebook group called Bosse Constructed Creations. Curious, I checked it out and saw students proudly posting photos of furniture and decorative items they had made. It was clear this class was something special, so I reached out to my friend Katelyn, a teacher at Bosse, who put me in touch with Mrs. Gray.

Mrs. Gray's Journey at Bosse

Leigh Gray's journey at Bosse started last year as a long-term sub. She had worked at other schools but always felt drawn to Bosse because of the students, the administration, and the community. When the construction teacher position opened up, she jumped at the chance.

A Hands-On Class

With a full class of students, Gray wanted to create a hands-on and engaging way to teach them practical skills they could use beyond high school. That is when she pulled from her background as a former boutique owner, and Bosse Constructed Creations was born.

Now, Gray spends her nights and weekends hunting through thrift stores and resale shops for quality furniture and décor items. She brings them back to class, where students transform them into something new. But she did not stop there. Not only do the students feel an immense sense of pride and accomplishment, they also get to sell their pieces through the Facebook group and keep the profit. For some, it is extra spending money. For others, it helps their families with groceries or gas.

It's More Than Woodworking

Beyond woodworking and repurposing, Gray is also teaching business and money management skills. Students learn how to stage and photograph their pieces, write engaging listings, and handle transactions. She also teaches them the basic concepts of entrepreneurship and business.

Gray Loves Her Job

It is obvious this is not just a job for Gray. It is her passion. She told me more than once how grateful she is to be doing what she loves with students she truly enjoys. She called it her dream job.

Donations Welcome

If you'd like to donate real wood furniture or decorative items that can be repurposed to the class, or to purchase a piece contact Mrs. Gray on the Bosse Custom Creations group.

Gen Z is Going Back Into Trades

Back in high school, we had shop class, but I never took it. A lot of kids who did ended up in solid trade careers, while many of us who majored in marketing are still fighting over the same handful of jobs in town. And Gen Z is starting to take notice of this trend.

According to a report by Validated Insights, trade school enrollment has grown by 4.9 percent from 2020 to 2023, reversing a pre-pandemic decline. Meanwhile, university enrollment dipped by 0.6 percent. More and more people are realizing that trade careers are the way to go. They offer solid opportunities without massive student debt.

Thankfully, our local schools still offer strong trade programs that allow students to tailor their education toward a specialized skill or career path. With teachers like Leigh Gray leading the way, students are not just learning skills. They are discovering their passions.

Know a Teacher Who is Making a Difference?

Do you know a local teacher who is making a big difference? Send me an email and include the following:

• Your name
• Teacher's name
• Why is this teacher so special?
• How can I get in touch with the teacher?