Industrial Arts Teacher Colby Page and his Construction class students are gaining real-world work experience while giving back to the community. This is made possible due to a new partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Marion County that Superintendent Scott Bridges and Page worked on forming over the summer.
“We are thrilled that Colby has joined the district and that we can again offer industrial arts classes to students,” said Bridges. Page joined the district last year as an industrial arts teacher after graduating from Upper Iowa. Principal Abby Heaberlin added, “Colby is doing a great job connecting with students and building the curriculum.”
Nine Melcher-Dallas high school students are enrolled in the Construction class. The students are working to build a shed onsite and when the shed is complete, it will be moved to its permanent Habitat for Humanity site. The project will continue with second semester students, and the goal is to have the shed completed late spring.
In the construction class, students are learning basic construction skills such as safe tool use, measurement and how to read a blueprint. Page said, “Students are currently focusing on framing. It will be very rewarding for the students and myself to see the project come to life in this community and to know they were a part of it.”
Habitat for Humanity provided the materials for the shed project and they also donated an extra miter saw to the shop. In the future, the district is working toward having students observe and participate in building a house on a local Habitat for Humanity jobsite.
Through the process, students gain valuable skills for their future, whether they pursue a related construction career or not. Bridges said, “The opportunity for students to help with the construction of decent and affordable homes for families provides valuable work-based learning and teaches students about serving others in the community.” Students also learn about social, economic and geographic causes surrounding housing. Habitat has a “hand up, not a hand out” model. Homes are built in partnership with families who have a need for housing. Families purchase their homes and pay a zero-interest mortgage back to Habitat.
“I’m excited about what the future holds with this partnership.” concluded Page.