Episode Details

Julie Beaird:
We're continuing a project where we're making teddy bears to donate to Primary Children's Hospital.

Anthony Godfrey:
So this is a fast-finisher project because they've done their final project. They're diving in and helping out here. That's really cool.

Julie Beaird:
Kids aren't as exposed to sewing as they used to be. I was born in the 70s and my mom made our clothes.

Anthony Godfrey:
Hello and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. It is a class at Fort Herriman Middle School which is sewing seeds of success, kindness, and caring for some incredible students.

On this episode of the Supercast, we take you inside a sewing class to experience firsthand some very talented students making teddy bears which will bring comfort to countless children in area hospitals. Find out how this class is teaching life skills and so much more.

We are here with Julie Beaird at Fort Herriman Middle School and we've been meaning to come back for a long time. We were here before for an episode about cosplay and another teacher and the sewing that kids have done to make that possible. But today we're here to talk about a very different project. Tell me a little bit about that.

Julie Beaird:
Okay, well thank you so much for coming back. We love having you. So today a bunch of the kids have finished their final project. So we're continuing a project where we're making teddy bears to donate to Primary Children's Hospital. Just for the kids that when they go to the hospital they’re sick or hurt, and need something to comfort them. So other people donate toys, new toys, and they will accept, as long as it's new, they will accept like the little teddy bears.

So I have a little assembly line going with about seven girls that – they were the fast finishers of their final project. So the boys are great but they aren't as fast as the girls. I have a few that I'd love for you to meet but they're joyfully helping make these bears just because they love to be helpful but also for the kids.

Anthony Godfrey:
So this is a fast finisher project because they've done their final project. They're diving in and helping out here. That's really cool. Now I will say I was also slow in my sewing class in eighth grade but I absolutely loved it. Last time we were here I think I mentioned it to you. I made a golf shirt that I was very proud of with all of the…

Julie Beaird:
Do you still have it?

Anthony Godfrey:
I really meant to look for it. If I find it I'm gonna come show it to you because the thing I remember, and it's funny that I still remember this. Tell me if this is right. It was the the material we had to stretch it as we sewed. I don't remember the name of the material but it was kind of stretchy material.

Julie Beaird:
It’s knit. It’s called knit.

Anthony Godfrey:
It was knit. Yeah so we pulled it and...

Julie Beaird:
It's a challenge to sew on. I'm surprised your teacher even let you try and sew on it.

Anthony Godfrey:
Well, I was very advanced Julie. I mean it was you know.

Julie Beaird:
Eighth grade, wow.

Anthony Godfrey:
There were buttons, there was a collar. It was kind of a big deal.

Julie Beaird:
Kids aren't as exposed to sewing as they used to be. Probably back in your time, my time.

Anthony God