Page 1 - TTMNJan2023

TEACHING

Winter 2023, Volume 1
MINNESOTA’S K–12 EDUCATION CONNECTIONTODAY MN ™

Mounds View Students Build A Hidden Gem and

Solar-Powered Ice Fishing Houses, a Different Path —

Gain Real-Life Construction Experience
(and College Credit!) St. Paul Central High School Automotive

of working with both their minds — and their Matt Lijewski has
hands – in construction-related careers such as been teaching automo-
plumbing, pipefitting, welding or ironworking. tive technology at St. Paul
Fortunately, that gap in educational Central High School for
opportunities for some high school students the past 13 years. His path
is changing. And a good example of this is was not the traditional one
the Construction and Solar Energy pathways taken by most teachers.
program offered through Mounds View Public Matt was born and
Schools (District 621). The program is avail- raised on the east side
able to both students of Irondale High School of St Paul and attended
and Mounds View High School, the two public Sacred Heart Catholic
high schools within the 621 District. school through the 8th
“Several years ago, we realized we needed grade. While attending
to offer opportunities for our students to learn Harding High School, he
more about high-demand, high-wage jobs in discovered his passion in
the construction-related trades,” says Michael life, automotive. “I had an
Werner, Mounds View School District’s Coor- incredible automotive teacher (Mr. Walker) be a new and interesting career where he could
dinator of Post-Secondary Planning. “By that fueled my knowledge and interest in my utilize his personal experience and extensive
partnering with the MnSCU system, we now passion for cars.” automotive knowledge to educate the youth of
not only offer opportunities to begin learning After graduating from high school, Matt St Paul.
a trade, but a process that allows them to earn pursued an Associate Degree in Automotive “My interview went very well, and I was
Across the United States, high schools credit toward a two-year or four-year degree.” Technology and went on to work in the auto- immediately given the position as automotive
have responded to the needs of high achiev- “In other words, we’re creating more motive industry for 20 years as a transmission instructor as a licensed community expert,”
ing high school students by offering numerous options for our students — they can either and driveline specialist. Holding certification said Matt. “I entered the teaching profession
opportunities to earn college credits, from AP pursue a career in construction immediately as a National Institute for Automotive Service without the benefit of any teacher education or
and IB courses to partnerships where students out of high school, or they can enter a Min- Excellence (ASE) and Automatic Transmis- training. Basically, I was given the keys and
are taught entry-level college courses in the nesota state college or university, or both,” sion Rebuilders Association (ATRA) master had to either sink or swim. Unfortunately, the
high school. Werner says. “More options is a good thing technician, he worked very hard to become former instructor had taken all of the materials
For the most part, college credit is geared for students who are trying to discern a future the very best in his automotive career by con- with them, and I had to create my own lesson
to students who plan to attend a liberal arts career path.” stantly training and keeping up to date on the plans, worksheets, tests, learn how to interact
college or university, with courses being One such opportunity being offered to latest technology changes in the automotive with staff and students and most importantly,
offered in subjects such as biology, calculus, students attending the district is the Construc- field. making sure my students left the shop with all
world history, or a language, such as Spanish, tion and Solar Energy course. The two-hour, Matt felt his career had become stagnant of their fingers and toes intact.”
French or German. one semester course (September through and was looking for a change that was both Matt worked to become a fully licensed
Often overlooked are students who January) taught by instructor Mark Ahlers, challenging and personally fulfilling. He heard teacher. In 2015, he graduated with a degree
intend to take a different path with their lives of a job opening at Central High School as an
following high school. Students who dream Continued on Page 4 automotive instructor and though that might Continued on Page 16

thank you to our advertisers for your generous support!

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Minnesota State University Moorhead • North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters
South Dakota State University • Minnesota State College Southeast • Minnesota Utilities Contractors Association
Ziegler Cat • Aggregate and Ready Mix Association of Minnesota • Autism Society of Minnesota
Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest • Titan Machinery • Southwest Minnesota State University