Those Who Can … Teach

Those Who Can… Teach

George Bernard Shaw has a lot to answer for. In Man and Superman he coined the phrase, “Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach”.

George Bernard Shaw was an idiot, what does he know!

In fact there are countless examples that demonstrate that, by some margin, the greatest teachers have been masters at what they do. They do so well that they are the perfect guides to instruct and mentor those who don’t know how to do or how to do it well.

Now, cabinetmakers are typically (though not exclusively) humble folk. Working with wood has a way of keeping your feet on the ground. It requires patience, attention to detail and great concentration. Get over confident and things start to go wrong very quickly. You just can’t wing being a fine furniture maker. So we tend not to blow our own trumpet.

But…

At Rowden all our teaching staff have spent time in industry making furniture, either for their own companies or working for some of the best furniture makers in the UK… sometimes both!

Skills

The skills they teach the students aren’t simply academic theories on how to make a nice piece of furniture. They are processes that have been practiced, developed and refined over years and years of working at the bench. The result is that the skills taught are also those most likely to create a cabinetmaker who will also excel in industry, working for a workshop or for themselves.

“Those who can, do; those that kill it, teach”.

Until next time,

Lakshmi

 

David established Rowden Atelier in 1995, a now world renowned fine woodworking school. Discover Rowden, the woodworking courses, and the work that students go on to do.

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Rowdenatelier.com is the new home of Rowden Atelier Fine Woodworking School.

It is where you will now find all the information about our renowned fine woodworking courses, our ethos, and why our students go on to do so many great things. This site remains dedicated to the designs and work, of Rowden’s Founder; David Savage. If you are looking for our woodworking courses, please click here.