KELSO, WA - Kelso High School wood shop teacher Cory Torppa won a TigerStop SawGear, a portable, length measuring automation tool for his classroom. The drawing was held during a WoodLINKS in-service educational conference hosted at the TigerStop factory, in Vancouver, WA.

TigerStop produces linear positioning systems for sawing, trimming and other woodshop operations. The company is a long-time supporter of woodworking industry education, providing support for WoodLINKS USA, a non-profit organization dedicated to the educational development of incoming woodworkers, such as those in Torppa's classroom.

The donated SawGear wil be used in the wood technology program to build cabinets.

“The SawGear allows me to teach decimals, fractions, production, and precision in a simple way that would not be possible without [it]," says Torppa. "Having the SawGear system is a good way to expose students to technology used in the woodworking and manufacturing world."

It's not the first time TigerStop has supported Kelso High's wood shop program. Another SawGear will be used next school year in "Geometry in Construction." The program will build a house from the ground up, teaching geometry and educating over 100 students per day in the process.

"Students will have the opportunity to learn about the future of house construction and groundbreaking techniques utilized by the SawGear which reduces labor time by 30 percent for framing, siding, and finish work,” Torppa says.

The "Geometry in Construction program has applied for a Lowe's grant, and is also looking to community support for this valuable program. [Those interested in contributing should contact Cindy Wardlow at 360.501.1839 or e-mail [email protected].]

Torppa says he became a woodshop teacher because he grew up in a family centered around construction and teaching. He enjoys teach life-skills to students and giving them the opportunity to be more employable.

“We believe the next generation of carpenters and woodworkers will be more technology savvy,” says Spencer Dick, CEO and founder of TigerStop LLC. “It is our obligation as the industry leader to give back to the community, reach a younger generation by continuously developing innovative, cutting edge products, and help groom them by involvement in programs such as WoodLINKS .”