Overview
Between March and September 2024, Team Oregon Build (TOB) conducted a series of professional development (PD) sessions for middle and high school teachers across the state. These multi-day sessions empowered over 90 Career and Technical Education (CTE) instructors from 70 schools to integrate hands-on construction projects into their classrooms. The goal was to equip teachers with the tools, training, and resources to bring authentic construction experiences into Oregon’s schools.
Hands-On Learning and Resources Provided
The I-Build program blended workforce training, academic recovery, and personal growth, ensuring students left with both practical skills and certifications. Key outcomes included:
Sheds
Temporary emergency shelters
Picnic tables
Benches
Planter boxes
Adirondack chairs
Educators received training on safety protocols, lesson planning, and curriculum design, along with an introduction to the CCL Resource Hub—a web-based platform where they could access TOB project plans and participate in online forums. The sessions also featured WiseMind training to support teachers’ social and emotional wellness.
Industry Collaboration and Pre-Apprenticeship Resources
Teachers engaged with industry and community partners to align their projects with real-world standards and were introduced to pre-apprenticeship resources provided by 40 TOB’s community college partners. This gave teachers insight into industry-standard curricula, which they could use to guide students toward careers in skilled trades.
Daily Structure and Industry Engagement
A key highlight of the PD sessions was the collaboration among educators, who shared insights, practical advice, and strategies for implementing construction projects. Participants walked through detailed construction drawings and instructions, gaining condence in their ability to bring these experiences to their classrooms.
Each participating school received free construction kits from TOB, allowing them to launch projects with students immediately. During these professional development sessions, instructors built:
Nine sheds
Nine temporary emergency shelters
These structures were donated to individuals experiencing homelessness or those impacted by wildfires, ensuring that students’ work had a meaningful impact on the community.
Daily Structure and Industry Engagement
The sessions were widely praised by participants for their practical value. Kevin Skillings from College Hill High School noted:
“This is the best PD I’ve been to. It is hands-on, it feels real-world, applicable, measurable, realistic, achievable—all the things we want. So many PDs feel hypothetical and tough to mold for our circumstances, and this feels very doable.”
Conclusion
The success of these professional development sessions highlights Team Oregon Build’s commitment to empowering educators and enhancing student learning through hands-on construction projects. By connecting classroom learning to real-world needs, TOB enables students to develop essential skills while contributing to their communities. The impact of these sessions extends beyond the classroom, fostering student engagement and addressing urgent community challenges—a true win for both education and society.
As TOB continues, the initiative stands as a beacon for how state agencies, Tribes and industry can work in synergy, addressing pressing challenges while building a stronger and more resilient future for Oregon.
Please contact Jim Taylor: [email protected] for more information about agency engagement to support Team Oregon Build
Or start a chat with Team Oregon Build by clicking the chat icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen.