Beyond any sort of brand, the focus is an emphasis on independent skill, creativity, and individualism. The overarching goal for Hunt is putting the director’s hat on a curious head with the intention of inspiring his students to be navigators, editors, and most importantly, in charge of how they piece things together in their immediate reality. Custom clothing, reused materials, local branding, entrepreneurship, and creativity are core elements of our current culture. Skills learned in this class can be applied for a lifetime.
“I had a student check out a sewing machine last summer; I had to ask for it back,” Hunt said. “If I have a class, and students start designing their own stuff — that, right there, is why I do this work.” As a teacher, Hunt believes that students taking their skill sets and building something(s) of their own is a fruitful, long-lasting outcome.
Chris Hernandez, a sophomore enrolled in Hunt’s shoemaking class, has plans beyond his creation of the royal blue and black silhouette shoe – which happens to match his outfit. All of the materials Hernandez used to design the shoe’s toe box, with the fabric tongue painted black, the rest of the shoe, colored royal blue – outside of the Nike check – and the shoelaces made of string – were donated by the public. “I wanted to make something no one else had made before,” Hernandez explained. He completed Hunt’s sewing class during the last quarter of 2022, which included designing costumes for William Smith High School’s production of the play, “West Side Story.”
Although he doesn’t yet have his own sewing machine, Hernandez has hand-sewing kits at home and looks forward to working on new designs.
“Sewing is one of my interests,” Hernandez said. “With what I’ve learned in the shoe design class, I’ve been thinking about getting an airbrush and customizing shoes like that. Customizing is something I want to go into. I feel like sewing calms me down. It’s peaceful.”
Meaningful and genuine student-teacher relationships frequently encourage greater engagement with students, while sparking their curiosity and desire to learn.
Currently, there are 365 students enrolled in WSHS. For comparison, Denver Public Schools’ East High School has a current student body count of 2,581. The lower enrollment at WSHS makes it easier for teachers to work directly with their students and address their different needs.
At WSHS, all teachers operate on a first-name basis to remove the power dynamic between educators and pupils. There are no bells to remind students of periods beginning and ending — just clocks along the walls. The environment becomes its own safe space, the small size drawing more accountability for teachers and students alike.
Hernandez’s fellow sophomore, Angela Flores, a self-proclaimed “little sneaker fan,” chose the shoemaking class and became instantly intrigued by the process. “I wanted to learn more and make a custom shoe,” she said. “It’s fun, but it’s hard. Every stitch has to be right. It’s a challenge.” Flores said she looks forward to the class every day because it’s one of her favorite classes, with the atmosphere being calm, and the vibe, supportive.
The students are not only deeply engaged but also proud of the work they accomplish. Many of them work in silence for the majority of the class, their eyes fixed on their creations. All the materials they use are donation-based with an entire sub-room stuffed with a variety of fabrics that makes the students’ options endless. Shortly after Hunt posted online about the class and the need for supplies, people began to donate the goods in mass quantities.
Alternative methods to meeting educational standards are welcomed by everyone at William Smith. The school’s atmosphere is abuzz with excitement in the air, plenty of open space, student artwork, and colorful murals. The building serves as a space for expansion, where teachers are eager to connect with students and educate them using different approaches that translate beyond standardized academia.
The PBL method is a young concept, where teachers propose their own curriculum, hoping to open the door to students, so they can learn new skills and develop fuller relationships. Chris Hunt’s shoemaking class is one of many creative opportunities for William Smith High School students, proving that the future of PBL is both promising and necessary.
