Page 10 - TTWIBacktoSchool2025

Construction
Page 10 Electronic Edition: www .teachingtodaywi .com

Turning Wood Waste Into a Community Resource Continued from Page 8

“The students learn actual forestry skills
among other skills, including math (by cal-
culating board feet in a felled log), science
(identifying species, observing wood-grain
patterns, documenting the natural drying of
lumber through moisture-content readings)
and participating in customer service (taking
orders from individuals for what to build with
the milled timber), creating a healthy work
ethic and much more,” says Schmidt.
The students also develop a “pay it
forward” mentality, where they realize
someone is providing something to them and
they eventually pay that off by using those
resources to benefit someone else.
Creating a program like this from the
ground up in your community also can be a Students self-design furniture, blueprint each individual piece and then calculate the board feet
public-relations opportunity. Once the school they will need to create it.
starts realizing benefits, be sure to share their
data and successes with the local paper or on lasting residual effects of what your company Kyle Schmidt at (715) 970-0078, or email him
your website. “Especially, share it with other is doing to help the students learn and what at homeyardtreeservice@gmail.com.
The stack took 18 days to dry in the school’s TCIA members,” says Schmidt, “who will the community gains. This article originally appeared in the
dehumidifier kiln. It is one of three they cur- be inspired to follow your lead and start a What can you do next? Start researching
rently have on site. March 2025 issue of TCI Magazine. Reprinted
program in their community.” tech/vocational schools in your area to see if with Permission.
construction. According to Schmidt, each they can benefit from your donation. Not sure
student’s future employability is enhanced Conclusion where to start? Schmidt is a major resource
with each project, and it’s a great way to get Although investing in a program like this to help get a program started. To learn more www.prescott.k12.wi.us
students of all genders exposed to real-life takes a little time to show its financial rewards about this program and how to turn your wood
work experience. to the school, Schmidt relays there are long- waste into a community resource, contact

Delavan-Darien’s Construction Pathway Continued from Page 1
that’s the most rewarding part,” says Duval. For more information about the Construc-
“They’re building their future, literally and tion Pathway and other Career & Technical
figuratively.” Education programs at Delavan-Darien High
As Delavan-Darien continues to expand School, visit www.ddschools.org.
its Career & Technical Education offerings,
the Construction Pathway stands as a model
for how public schools can support student
success in the skilled trades. With community www.ddschools.org
partnerships, dedicated instructors, and a vision
for workforce development, DDHS is helping
build more than structures, it’s building futures.

new partnership with Habitat for Humanity, mirrors the experience of a technical college
taking on a range of construction and repair environment. Equipped with updated tools,
work. These projects allow students to see a equipment, and lab space, the program sup-
job from concept to completion, managing ports a variety of learning styles and fosters
timelines, budgets, and materials, just like a a strong sense of community among students
professional crew. who share a passion for hands-on learning.
“We treat each build as if it’s going to Many program graduates go on to
a real client because it is,” Duval explains. apprenticeships, technical colleges, or full-
“That level of accountability teaches students time employment with local contractors.
not only technical skills, but also profession- Some even return to the district as guest
alism and pride in their work.” speakers or mentors, paying forward the
The Construction Pathway is housed mentorship they received.
within DD Technical School, a state-of-the- “Seeing our students walk out the door
art facility located on the DDHS campus that with a skill set they can use on day one,