Building new teaching techniques

PALMER --Teachers and students from across the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District and the state of Alaska have spent the last two weeks learning the ins and outs of the construction trade from the unions who place workers in those industries.

The third annual Academy for the Construction Trades took place at Palmer High School June 9-20, providing hands-on training and construction math application training to 16 vocational teachers and eight juniors and seniors from the district.

The academy emphasizes teaching high school instructors what the different industries are looking for in their future employees, and how to instruct students in learning these skills. Funding for the program is provided by a five-year federal grant and many financial supporters around the community. The first week of the academy is for instructors only, focusing on classroom curriculum and application. The second week students participate in the academy, making the benefits of the academy two fold: This hands-on section of the program teaches students new construction skills while the instructors practice teaching the new techniques they learned the week before.

"When you have to teach and explain to others then you really know you understand it," said Lisa Vrvilo, this year's camp coordinator. Vrvilo said each union involved brings a unique look at the relevant information the instructors need to pass on to students, especially in the field of construction math.

Each union involved sends a union instructor during both the first and second weeks of the program to instruct teachers and students in the tricks of the trade. This year's union representatives come from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Union No. 1281, the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union No. 367, the International Union of Operating Engineers Union No. 302, the Painters and Allied Trades Union No. 1140, the Roofers and Waterproofers Union No. 190 and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union No. 1547.

Electrician Dennis Traylor is an instructor for IBEW electrical program, this is his third year participating in the academy.

"It's a good thing that these kids have an opportunity to try the different trades," said Traylor. "Of course we are trying to interest them in our electrical program; we're definitely looking for more kids to join up."

Lead academy instructor Tom Lord, Palmer's industrial arts teacher, has also been involved in the program since its conception. He said the teachers participating in the program are provided with "almost overwhelming amounts of information" to take back to their classrooms. He is especially excited about the hands-on portion of the classroom, which is designed to work in rural classrooms.

This year's projects are a number of 4-foot by 8-foot modules that incorporate all of the unions' instruction, and are designed to be torn down and rebuilt again and again, a plus for material-lacking districts. The participating teachers also expressed enthusiasm about the program.

"We get to learn new things and ask questions from the people who know," said Jim O'Neill, an instructor in Bethel who has participated in the academy for three years. "We get the scoop on the newest, greatest and latest."

Point Hope teacher Terry McCoy agreed.

"I love the hands-on stuff," McCoy said. McCoy emphasized that this program also helps instructors with the No Child Left Behind Act. But McCoy, like any student on a sunny day, also found his mind wandering during the morning math classroom instruction:

"I'm the one in the classroom asking myself 'How long do we have to be in here?'" McCoy said.

But even with the occasional window gazing, McCoy said he believes teaching students about the very real connection between the construction techniques and math is key in preparing his students to work in the construction trades.

The theory and academy instruction has seemed to make an impression on Colony High School junior Claire Warren. Warren said she is interested in the construction trades because of the outdoor draw.

"I hate paperwork," Warren said. "I like working outside and enjoy hands-on stuff."

Warren said her favorite part of the academy is that she has been able to do some of the hands-on work on her own, without a teacher watching and correcting her every step of the way. She plans on applying some of the skills she has learned by helping her parents build a new shed this summer.

The district plans on sustaining this program after the five-year grant runs out through business and union sponsorships. For more information, contact Lisa Vrvilo at (907) 745-9282.