Page 6 - TTWISpring2026

Construction Trades
Page 6 Electronic Edition: www .teachingtodaywi .com

Tiger Nation Spotlights: Technical Education in Action at Hillsboro

Rose Davey,
Hillsboro School District

We Are Hillsboro: Ed Levy

“Hillsboro is a place where people woodworking, construction, welding ers from his history as a helper, “I
care about each other and want to see (using several different processes), and ruined several outfits in shop when I
each other succeed. This district is where power mechanics.” Each course begins started because you truly do “get your
I went to school, and where I plan to by ensuring students know how to safely hands dirty” demonstrating and teaching
retire from.” use the equipment in each class. For Ed, students. My wife still does not appre-
Mr. Levy began his career as a what quickly follows is relevance. “My ciate the good shirts with oil stains and
technical education teacher in the fall goal is always to deliver content that welding holes in them.”
of 1994 in the Waupun School District. my students are going to be able to use In his time away from school, Ed
“When my wife and I started our family, in their day-to-day lives. I want them to enjoys to spending time with his family,
we decided to move back to Hillsboro, take confidence and pride in the skills being a grandpa, and restoring vintage
where we had grown up. I took a job in they develop during their time here.” and antique vehicles.
Mauston at that time, and ended up teach- Mr. Levy’s own journey as an educa- “I want to thank our families for
ing long-term in Richland Center. When tor began in the same Hillsboro Tech Ed allowing me to interact with the most
my former Technical Education teacher, classroom he teaches in today. “I chose important people in your life for eight
Mr. Schaufnagel, retired from Hillsboro, this field because of the influence of my hours a day. I hope my students leave
I applied for the job. I wanted to give former teachers here in Hillsboro. Mr. my classes with new skills and a boost in
back to this community.” Isley, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Schaufnagel their self-esteem.”
An average day in a tech ed class- showed me the dignity of having dirty
room centers on teaching students how hands after work, and that you can help
to use the variety of machines in the others at the same time.” www.hillsboro.k12.wi.us
shop. “My classes cover the basics in Ed now has a collection of remind-

Mr . Levy Offers Rehearsal in Trades From Sanding to Standing

Students in Mr. Levy’s Woods and
Welding class have been diligently drafting
designs and executing plans as they fabri-
cate end tables.
“It’s been really fun to watch the kids
with this project, many have gone a step
above to create something special that is
going to last a very long time.” Mr. Levy
said of his students’ work.
Sophomore Levi Hemmersbach’s table
came from humble beginnings - upcycled
scrap wood and metal bars from the shop.
Levi sanded the boards repeatedly and
extensively before beginning the epoxy
process, and was so pleased with the final
construction, he gifted the table to his
mother.
For students in Woods and Welding,
these tables are more than just a place to
Thanks to a generous donation of mate- Building Trades offers students in set things down, they stand as a testament
rials from a Hillsboro lumber company, grades 10–12 the opportunity to learn how to their progress as craftspeople. When stu-
students in Mr. Levy’s Building Trades class to safely operate a variety of portable power dents turn their plans into a sturdy reality,
have been erecting a construction trainer tools, practice footing and foundations, their self-concept and competency expands
module. This model is a replica of a building framing, roofing, and careers in construc- to meet and complete the next project.
corner, featuring a laid platform and walls tion, plumbing, masonry and electrical.
constructed at full scale by students. The class also emphasizes workplace safety
The firsthand experience doesn’t stop across the industries.
where the framing ends, this model will be
used to practice residential electrical wiring, www.hillsboro.k12.wi.us
plumbing, and drywall work as semester www.hillsboro.k12.wi.us
continues.