Sapulpa teachers attend summer "class" at Central Tech
Posted on 06/14/2018
(SPS) - What do our teachers do during the summer?

Well, sometimes they continue working. Sometimes they take a much-deserved vacation. Sometimes they enjoy a relaxing stay-cation. Sometimes they attend continuing education workshops.

From the pictures that appear on social media, it looks like our teachers are taking part in just about everything, including a group of Sapulpa teachers who are participating in a professional development program at Central Tech this week.

Central Tech provides training for high school students and adults with technical skills to prepare them for the workforce.

The three-day program offers insight into the courses many of our students attend.

"It's all very hands-on and super interesting," said Kelsey Hale, an art teacher at the Junior High and one of eight Sapulpa teachers participating this week.

Kelsey Hale and Stephanie Greenfeather
(L-R) Kelsey Hale and Stephanie Greenfeather display the birdhouses they created in their construction course.

They've learned the basics of construction, how to drive a semi, how to change tires on a vehicle, HVAC work, how to operate a bridge crane, and they've dabbled in electromechanical systems.

"We did a little measuring, got to use some power tools and big saws, it was fun! Also got to make a little circuit board in the Electromechanical class," said Hale. "I love that it was so hands-on because everything was a lot more memorable than just listening to someone talk all day!"

The workshop is highly interactive and engaging, which is a big draw for this group of Chieftains teachers.

"I’ve gotten to operate a crane, tour Whirlpool, the Tulsa Bus Plant, and learn so much about opportunities available to students who attend a tech school and the careers they can go into," said Junior High teacher Karli Myers. "It’s enriching furthering my own education so I can share with my students that the opportunities out there for them are boundless!"

The group also took trips to Whirlpool, Nordam, and Tulsa Bus Plant as part of their professional development. Interesting nuggets - Tulsa Bus Plant manufactures 74 buses in a single day while Whirlpool averages producing 10,000 range ovens daily.

At Nordam, which employs 1,300 in Tulsa, High School teacher Stephanie Greenfeather met with the Human Resources department to talk about the skills and experience Nordam looks for when considering job applicants.

"These conversations gave us valuable information we will be able to take back to our classrooms and use to help prepare our students for the world of work,” said Greenfeather.

What a great educational experience for these teachers. And for our students when they return to class in the fall. 

Central Tech's first day of school is the same as ours, Aug. 16.

Professional development at Central Tech
(L-R) David Sizemore, Grant Horn, Kelsey Hale, Karli Myers, and Stephanie Greenfeather

Stephanie Greenfeather professional development
Stephanie Greenfeather operating a bridge crane.

David Sizemore professional development
David Sizemore operating a bridge crane.

Teachers at Nordam
(L-R) Stefanie Stockham, Kelsey Hale, Shirley Mefford, Stephanie Greenfeather at Nordam

Karli Myers at Whirlpool
Karli Myers showing off her protective eyewear and vest at Whirlpool