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I started teaching Construction Technology at Gulfport High School in Gulfport MS. We're approaching education from a totally different perspective; traditional education is focused on preparing you for college, but statistically 75% will never get a degree, so what are we doing for them? This is where Career Technical Education comes in, my world.
Unlike a lot of the teachers currently employed at the CTE Center who are life long educators, I recently retired from the AF in June after almost 23 years. The military's approach to training is "train like you fight". I know, I know, that isn't always the case; I mean Doing a month of Combat Skills Training at Ft McCoy WI in March with below freezing temps and snow on the ground? Really? To prepare for Iraq in the Summer?
Nonetheless, the training we carried out was still relevant. IMO relevance is key to providing an educational experience that keeps the kids interested, engaged, out of trouble and in school. My goal is to give my construction students real world projects similiar to those they'll encounter in the "real world".
In past years they would nail together a small 4'X4" house using precut lumber. They'd tear it down and do it over and over again. That's not relevant! I want to give them the opportunity to experience whats so great about the construction trades; sense of accomplishment! I want them to be proud of what they've built utilizing the skills they've learned. That's the best way to learn; learn it and apply it. Encounter problems, figure out how to overcome them and still finish a quality project.
This is where I need help. The portable warehouse business is blowing up down here. They build large sheds on skids, pull them onto a flatbead tow truck and deliver them to your home. These guys are making a killing! At least 45% profit on a $1000 worth of material. Since my annual budget is $1200, I'm hoping to build one of these warehouses, sell it and put the money back into the program. I also want to provide my second year students with an equipped tool belt so they can move onto a real job and won't have to purchase the basic construction tools.
Our curriculum goes from blue print reading and floor up construction including windows and doors. Problem is, I can't get my hands on real blue prints! To give them the real world experience I don't want them to build from drawing I made on a napkin. If anyone has the skills and tools to draft up blue prints they'd like to donate, I'd be grateful.
Unlike a lot of the teachers currently employed at the CTE Center who are life long educators, I recently retired from the AF in June after almost 23 years. The military's approach to training is "train like you fight". I know, I know, that isn't always the case; I mean Doing a month of Combat Skills Training at Ft McCoy WI in March with below freezing temps and snow on the ground? Really? To prepare for Iraq in the Summer?
Nonetheless, the training we carried out was still relevant. IMO relevance is key to providing an educational experience that keeps the kids interested, engaged, out of trouble and in school. My goal is to give my construction students real world projects similiar to those they'll encounter in the "real world".
In past years they would nail together a small 4'X4" house using precut lumber. They'd tear it down and do it over and over again. That's not relevant! I want to give them the opportunity to experience whats so great about the construction trades; sense of accomplishment! I want them to be proud of what they've built utilizing the skills they've learned. That's the best way to learn; learn it and apply it. Encounter problems, figure out how to overcome them and still finish a quality project.
This is where I need help. The portable warehouse business is blowing up down here. They build large sheds on skids, pull them onto a flatbead tow truck and deliver them to your home. These guys are making a killing! At least 45% profit on a $1000 worth of material. Since my annual budget is $1200, I'm hoping to build one of these warehouses, sell it and put the money back into the program. I also want to provide my second year students with an equipped tool belt so they can move onto a real job and won't have to purchase the basic construction tools.
Our curriculum goes from blue print reading and floor up construction including windows and doors. Problem is, I can't get my hands on real blue prints! To give them the real world experience I don't want them to build from drawing I made on a napkin. If anyone has the skills and tools to draft up blue prints they'd like to donate, I'd be grateful.
