Mr. Alex Billings, who brings nearly two decades of experience in technology education and a construction background, often starts each new unit with a simple question. When beginning the drywall section, he asks: "How many of you have a hole in your drywall right now?" There's always at least one hand. By the end of the unit, students know how to patch it themselves. It might not be perfect, but it beats living with a hole.
That's the philosophy behind the Around the House course at Kimberly Area School District, where one classroom looks more like a construction site than a traditional learning space. Students work through real-world problems, including repairing siding, patching shingles on a mock roof, finishing drywall, and troubleshooting basic plumbing and electrical issues. The course covers four core areas over the semester, with students spending roughly ten days on each unit. It's enough time to learn the fundamentals, make mistakes, and correct them.
Enrollment numbers tell their own story. The class fills consistently, with two sections offered each quarter. While students from all grade levels sign up, about three-quarters are freshmen and sophomores, many of whom are still figuring out what they enjoy and what they’re good at.
In the workshop setting, leadership emerges naturally as students who grasp skills quickly often step in to help classmates who are struggling. Those peer teaching moments are just as valuable as learning the technical skills themselves. Students also explore career pathways connected to each skill area, learning about apprenticeships, certifications, and what it takes to enter the trades professionally.
Above all, the Around the House course builds self-reliance. Students leave knowing they can figure things out, repair what's broken, and persist when something fails the first time. Whether they pursue a trade, attend college, or choose another direction entirely, they carry these skills forward along with the confidence that comes from knowing they can handle whatever comes their way.
