Helping Out in Creative Ways

Mr. Waller, Westlake’s Industrial Arts teacher, decided he wanted to make desks for students who didn’t have their own workspace at home for remote learning.

“I wanted to be able to make something to help others in a time of need,” explained Mr. Waller.

He thought carefully about the design and made the desks lightweight enough that students could easily move the desks from room to room if they wanted a change of scenery. He also left the wood unfinished so students could make the desks their own with paint and stickers.

Mr. Waller teamed up with Westlake’s school counselors to identify Westlake students who most needed a workspace, and then the counselors delivered the handcrafted desks right to students’ homes before Christmas break.

More than 20 Westlake students benefited from the desks Mr. Waller made.