Full Circle in Shop Class

Gary Mitchell fell in love with Ocracoke over a Thanksgiving vacation in 1976, and decided to send a letter to Principal Cutler, at Ocracoke School. “I graduated from NC State in 76, I had a teaching degree, I decided I wanted to try teaching,” he recalled in a recent interview.

His letter came to Principal Cutler at an auspicious time – he had just been told that he could hire a full-time shop teacher. “I sent a letter on a Tuesday and he called me on Wednesday,” Gary said.

Although this was Gary’s first time running a classroom, it wasn’t his first shot at teaching people how to fix things. He and a friend had run a business called “Your Garage” which was a self-service auto repair shop, where they provided the tools, and taught people to work on cars.

Gary taught shop for three years at Ocracoke School, before deciding he would like to run his own business making wooden toys. In the late eighties he and his wife Kitty moved to Stoneville, NC, where he once again taught shop class.

“Kitty was wanting to teach at Ocracoke and in 1991 the Art Teacher job here was open,” so back they came to the island, and in the mid-90s Gary and Kitty formed the band Molasses Creek, and Gary started being a full-time musician.

This role as bandleader and music producer is probably what most people on the island know Gary as now, and he’s ready to show a different facet. “I’m excited to make things with my hands again,” he said.

When asked how he feels about jumping back into teaching Gary said, “It’s kind of scary cause I haven’t done it for so long,” but clearly his experience and passion for craftsmanship will be a strong guide for his students. “I think [shop class] serves an important function for young people nowadays. It's more of a virtual world they live in, but getting the experience and hands-on practice is really fulfilling.”

I asked what sort of projects the students would be working on, envying them fiercely already (I had Mr. Randy throw a knife at me, anything’s better than that).

“Bicycles—they’re going to get a better understanding of how to repair their own bikes. Golf carts, too.”

In addition to these skills, carpentry, woodworking, electrical and even plumbing are on the menu.

“Because there’s only one trade teacher it gives me the opportunity to hit on a lot of different things," Gary said. "But my focus is teaching kids useful skills, teaching them how to use tools, and hopefully building the confidence that they can do it themselves.”