What the Rest of Education Can Learn From Shop Class with Bobby Miller - TEC102

In this episode of the TechEd Clubhouse, I sit down with Bobby Miller of Mr. Miller’s Woodshop to talk about what hands-on learning gets right: real work, real decisions, real accountability, and projects that have to function when they are finished. We discuss why students who struggle in traditional classrooms often thrive in CTE, how shop classes naturally build problem-solving and perseverance, and why teacher judgment matters more than blanket policies. Bobby also shares how he uses short instructional videos and QR codes to support student independence, the role industry partners can play in schools, and why engagement is not something you add to a lesson—it comes from giving students work worth doing. This conversation is not just for shop teachers. It is for any educator trying to make learning more practical, demanding, and relevant. In this episode: What authentic engagement looks like Why hands-on learning changes student behavior Teacher autonomy and cell phone policies Using video to differentiate instruction Building relationships through meaningful work Connecting classrooms with industry What core classrooms can borrow from CTE Connect with Bobby by searching Mr. Miller’s Woodshop on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and X. Subscribe to the TechEd Clubhouse for more conversations about CTE, project-based learning, creativity, technology, and practical changes schools can use now.