Andy Bishop's journey from a high school student passionate about woodshop to becoming a Building Trades teacher at the Allegan Tech Center is a story of full-circle fulfillment. With five years of teaching under his belt and decades of hands-on experience, Bishop now dedicates his time to shaping the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
Bishop’s love for working with his hands began in high school, where he took every woodshop and building trades class offered. "Since high school, I’ve always wanted to be a Building Trades or Wood Shop teacher," he shares. Over the years, he honed his skills through home inspections and side construction jobs, gaining valuable experience that influences his teaching today.
"Experience is key to learning the trades," he emphasizes. "I was once told that to get 10 years of experience, you have to do it for 10 years. I teach my students that making mistakes is how you learn and that being open to learning is essential."
Transitioning from full-time construction work to teaching was a natural step for Bishop. "When I heard about the opportunity to teach building trades to high school students, I jumped on it," he recalls. His goal is to help students discover the same joy he finds in building and creating.
Seeing his students thrive brings Bishop immense satisfaction. "Watching them find their passion, whether it’s getting their builder's license, starting an apprenticeship, or securing a job in the trades, is incredibly rewarding. I love seeing them working together in the shop, laughing, and learning."
Teaching comes with its challenges, especially managing a large class. He tackles this by working in smaller groups and building personal connections. "Many of my students don’t enjoy traditional school, but I want them to feel like the Tech Center is a place where they can open up and be themselves," he explains. By chatting with students and showing genuine interest in their lives, Bishop fosters a supportive and encouraging environment.
Bishop sees his role as a teacher to give back to the community. "If I can help my students become respectful and employable individuals with good careers, the community benefits," he says. Skilled trades not only support the local economy but also provide stability and meet the growing demand for tradespeople.
For those considering a career in the trades, his advice is simple: "Try as many trades as you can and find what makes you happy. The work isn’t always easy, but if you show up every day and put in the effort, you can be very successful."
Bishop hopes to leave a lasting impact on his students. "I want them to say, ‘Mr. Bishop is one of the reasons I’m successful in my career.’ If I’ve helped them gain confidence, learn valuable skills, and understand the importance of being employable, then I’ve done my job."
When he’s not teaching, Bishop enjoys barefoot waterskiing—a thrilling hobby that requires balance, speed, and a love of adventure, qualities he brings to the classroom every day.
His journey from student to teacher is a testament to the power of following your passion and inspiring others to do the same. Through his work, he’s building not just structures, but futures.