Page 10 - TTMNSummer2024

STEM/Construction
Page 10 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

Irondale Work Based Learning Coordinator Angela Zappa Pairs Tech Ed

Courses and Career Planning

around helping students with an our students who want to work with their happens in this new course: OSHA 10 Safety
interest in construction connect hands,” Zappa said. Training, job site tours, apprenticeship train-
with relevant work opportunities Zappa teaches two courses at Irondale: ing center tours, guest speakers, and f eld
and programs that support their Careers Plus and Trades and Manufacturing trips,” Zappa said.
career exploration process. Career Exploration. We didn’t know how many students
“More than 1,700 students “The ‘Plus’ in Career Plus is the On-the- would register for this new class, but the
are enrolled at Irondale High Job training part of our program; at Irondale response represented an overwhelming inter-
School (located in New Brigh- we recognize many of our students already est in the construction trades and excitement
ton). I help students identify their work part-time jobs. When possible, we try for touring real workplaces.
skills, explore careers of inter- to match their career interests with their “There was enough student interest to
est, and investigate steps needed part-time jobs,” Zappa said. “Some students offer two full classes next year,” Zappa said.
to enter that specif c career are helping their families by contributing to “We worked with the dean team to identify
pathway,” Zappa said. “A four- monthly bills and it’s important that they students whose interests would be a good f t
year college degree isn’t the right understand their salary, benef ts, and career for this program, and we’re double what we
f t for all students, especially with advancement opportunities.” had hoped for in response.”
the variety of training options As an educator who thrives on helping
through apprenticeship programs, Career Exploration Courses at students ‘f nd their f t,’ Zappa is thrilled at
technical colleges and work- the student body interest in her new course.
force training programs intended Irondale In response to a growing demand for
to propel students into a high- Irondale High School offers a variety trades professionals nationally, Zappa also
demand career.” of technical education courses to students investigated internship opportunities that her
In her career at Irondale, including Engineering, Small Engines, trades students could explore locally through
Zappa’s experiences as an edu- Digital Electronics, Welding, and a course community partnerships and employers.
cator have made her realize the titled “How to Make Almost Anything” (a “Our goal in the Career and Technical
importance of developing founda- woodshop and general construction focused Education department is to prepare students
tional academic skills alongside course). Mounds View students also have the for a successful career by connecting skills
employability skills so that opportunity to enroll in these courses. learned in the classroom to skills needed for
students can f nd success in a ful- In addition to these skills courses, success and growth in a career,” Zappa said.
f lling career after high school. Zappa supports trades and manufacturing Courtesy of the Construction Careers
“I’ve taught English, Special focused students with career exploration Foundation
Irondale High School Career Naviga- Education and eventually moved into the courses such as her Careers Plus program
tor and Work-Based Learning Coordinator Work-Based Learning coordinator role. and a new course called Trades and Manu-
Angela Zappa challenges her students to During my time as a work coordinator, I’ve facturing Career Exploration. irondale.
think about their future after high school. heard the cries from trades and manufac- “I know that name is a mouthful, but mvpschools.org
Zappa has conversations about careers turing f elds due to the shortage of skilled we wanted to be clear about what exactly
with her students and has built a curriculum workers. There’s so much opportunity for

Spanier Earns Outstanding Teacher Award from Project Lead The Way

Way (PLTW) Teacher allow all students, from all levels of learn- adjust his classroom and lessons to reflect
Award, which recog- ing, to advance in engineering, architecture, the latest in curriculum and technology.”
nizes educators who science, math and technology.” Each year PLTW honors outstand-
demonstrate a strong Spanier, a PLTW Master Teacher, has ing teachers and administrators across the
record of delivering an been a teacher at Delano for nearly 20 network who play an immeasurable role
inspiring and empower- years with the last 15 years teaching PLTW in preparing students to thrive in college,
ing student experience Gateway to seventh and eighth-grade stu- careers and beyond. When Spanier is not
while expanding access dents. PLTW honored Tory Spanier for his teaching PTLW Gateway classes, as a PTLW
to PLTW programs and leadership and dedication to PLTW. For the Master Teacher he trains and mentors other
transforming teaching. past 15 years, Spanier has engaged students PTLW teachers across the U.S.
“Delano is proud in Design and Modeling curriculum and in
of Tory’s dedication Automation and Robotics curriculum. In
to students and to 7th grade, students discover design pro-
applied learning,” said cesses and develop an understanding of the www.delano.k12.mn.us
Delano Public Schools influence of creativity and innovation in
Superintendent, Matt their lives. Eighth-grade students combine
Schoen. “Although mechanisms with input and output devices
Tory has many great to automate mechanisms and are challenged
Delano Public Schools qualities, his greatest to apply what they have learned.
Tory Spanier, a Project Lead the Way strength is his commitment and student- “DHS students are lucky to have Mr.
teacher at Delano High School, is one of centered approach to teaching and learning. Spanier as a teacher,” said, Delano High
only 38 teachers across the U.S. to earn His encouragement, unfailing enthusiasm, School Principal, Barry Voight. “He is an
the 2023-24 Outstanding Project Lead the and commitment to PLTW and students innovator who is consistently looking to