Luther HS Shop Teacher Looks To Raise Money For Class

An Oklahoma high school shop class is reaching out to the public for help getting new class tools and supplies. And their impressive creations have caught the eye of at least one well-known handyman.

Mark Dunn is the “foreman” of the Luther High Design and Fabrication class. And with the use of modest equipment, his students have been able to construct some pretty amazing things; like a BBQ smoker in the shape of a train.

But Dunn would like to do more complex projects and get more students involved with the class. That is why he created a GoFundMe page to help raise the much-needed monies to fuel the student projects to greater heights. So far their only way of raising the cash was to sell off competed works.

In a message posted on the GoFundMe page, Dunn stresses the importance of shop classes as a method of teaching students valuable life skills, occupational stepping stones and motivation to stay in school. And his sentiment was echoed by television’s Mike Rowe, best known for his Discovery Channel Series “Dirty Jobs”.

On Facebook Tuesday, Rowe posted a link to Dunn’s GoFundMe and shared his own sentiments about the value of high school shop class. And with the considerable reach of nearly 3-million followers, the post appears to have paid off; with thousands of dollars being raised in a matter of hours and continuing to climb.

With a goal of raising $100K for the class, it appears that Dunn and his students are well on their way.

News 9 has reached out for comment from Dunn, but have yet to hear back from him.