How do you decide what classes to offer? Classes are decided by customer feedback, market demand, instructor input, and current popular trends. Where do ideas for new classes come from? This is a group effort with different origins. We rely on instructor feedback and student suggestions for new class ideas. Often, an instructor will come to us with a commissioned project they have been working on and we figure out a way to turn that into a class. The sales and marketing teams have been known to propose some really great ideas too. How do you schedule those classes? This is the biggest challenge of my year. Several factors are considered before even putting pencil to paper. Holidays, tradeshows, vacations, hotel availability, etc. — they all come into play when putting it together. We avoid scheduling a stone setting or jewelry‑related class in October or November because of the Christmas prep. Gun engraving classes shouldn’t interfere with the big gun shows. And western-themed (bright cut) classes are scheduled around calving season and harvest. There’s no way to accommodate everybody, but we do our best.
How is the curriculum for each class determined? The curriculum is based on feedback from the instructor. I present the idea to the instructor and we work together to establish an overall curriculum and a list of course objectives to cover. Communication is very important. I’m extremely lucky to work with such a great group of professionals that take a simple idea and turn it into something so incredible! Is the curriculum in every Basic Class from every instructor the same or are there differences? The curriculum is the same, but the delivery method is often different depending on the background of the instructor. Every class concentrates on the same basic principles for stone setting or engraving. The laser practice plates, or practice rings, might be different, but the concepts are the same. Regardless if you come for a Basic Gun Class, a Basic Western Class, or a Basic Stone setting class, the goal remains the same — we aim to provide a positive learning experience and create a firm foundation of skills. How the individual applies the skills is up to them.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING FOR GLENDO/GRS?
Student work, from left to right: (Basic Metal Engraving) Bill Burke, (Jewelry Engraving) Andrew Dorman, and (Gun Engraving) Jordan Kasallis.
I love the family atmosphere that comes with a small company like Glendo. A team of 54 people busts their humps daily to manufacture, sell, and ship products to over 120 countries worldwide. I am incredibly proud to be a part of something so great!
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2020 WINTER
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