Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1205100
18 | WEAnews Last fall, WEA member and 22-year educator, Troy Reichert, won second place in the 2019 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, earning his high school skilled trades program $35,000 as part of $1 million awarded nationally. Four years ago, Reichert—who teaches industrial technology at Guernsey-Sunrise Public High School in Guernsey—started a Trades class for which students are awarded credit at Eastern Wyoming College. "I wanted to get kids out of the classroom and into the community to teach them job skills in a real-world setting," said Reichert. Since the inception of his Trades class, Reichert has secured funding from several different sources, including the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE), The Daniel's Fund, and Home Depot. Reichert and his students use the money to complete various community service projects. Currently, they're completing a full renovation of the Veterans of Foreign Wars building in Guernsey. "Veterans do so much in our community, so we wanted to do this for them," said Reichert, "and, it's a great way for the kids to learn job skills." CTE is important for every student. CTE is the best way to teach students and for students to learn," said Reichert, "In my classroom, I build relationships with my students because I work right alongside them on the projects that we do." Reichert's advice for students considering a career in skilled trades: "My advice is to go for it. Ask your Guidance Counselor. There are scholarships available and there are companies with apprenticeships, said Reichert. "Honestly, anybody—if they're willing to work hard—can get a job in skilled trades." Reichert also shared with WEA News his advice for educators searching for funds and motivation to get special projects off of the ground: "To all of the teachers out there who are wishing they could find funding for their program—whether it's CTE or anything else—get after it! Help the kids out. Tie it into your curriculum. There are grants and money available out there if you take the time to fill out the paperwork and follow through with it," said Reichert. "What's more important: an easy day at school or seeing your kids succeed in the future?" The Guernsey-Sunrise High School students in Mr. Troy Reichert's "Trades" Class began a journey with the Guernsey VFW Post 4471 in the spring of 2017. What started as a simple "what can we do for you" question posed by the class to the VFW, quickly turned into a quest to gain funding through educational grants to create a tie between the school, VFW, and community by remodeling the VFW building in Guernsey. Follow their progress on Facebook. Just search 'G-S Vikings for Veterans' on Facebook. Photo courtesy of WDE. Career & Technology Education in the Community: How One Educator is Making an Impact on Students and Veterans in Guernsey