March Mountain High School’s Career Technical Education (CTE) Manufacturing students have had a busy summer. Not only have they learned how to use tools and equipment to build their projects, they’ve also had to put their leadership skills to the test and teach ACTION students how to use equipment for their own projects.
Under the direction of teacher Jeff Allbee, the CTE students invited several students from the ACTION program to participate in many of this summer’s projects. The ACTION Program is an educational program designed for moderate to severe Special Education students ages 18-22, who need assistance transitioning from high school to the workforce.
CTE students would build their own project first, then they would mentor, supervise and teach the ACTION students how to use different pieces of equipment to complete their own project. Many learned how to safely use the band saw, belt sanders, palm sanders, drills, hammers and a variety of hand tools.
“The coolest part was watching our two groups of students blend,” said Manufacturing teacher Jeff Allbee. “The disabilities disappeared and it was just one kid helping another kid. We had several ACTION students that found themselves teaching the incoming 9th graders about aerodynamics, weight distribution and thrust on the soda bottle rockets. I think we need to find different ways for all students to learn and achieve regardless of what program or learning challenge they may have.”
Our CTE students enjoyed the opportunity to help ACTION students build different projects, according to Mr. Allbee.
“My students love working with Mr. Allbee’s manufacturing program,” said ACTION Teacher Tamra deBeaubien-Jimenez. “It has been so fun to watch our students be included in so many things that we do not always have the ability to do in our classroom setting or have the resources available.”
“Programs like the CTE Manufacturing and Logistics program are offering our students a patch to be successful in their career,” said Board Member Evan Morgan, “The skills they learn in the classroom will be important, but the skills learned while interacting with the ACTION students help create a well-rounded graduate of our program.”