As part of National CTE Month in February, IMESD is highlighting educators who work in Career Technical Education in Eastern Oregon school districts.
Meet Dave Fowler, CTE Manufacturing Teacher/District CTE Director at Heppner Jr/Sr High School at Morrow County School District.
What do you teach? I teach Manufacturing and Pre-Engineering. Students work with computer software, hand tools, power tools and CNC equipment. Students use laser engravers, 3D printers, CNC plasma cutter, CNC machining and more. Our school’s CTE program involves Woods Manufacturing, Metals Manufacturing, robotics, aerospace and digital design.
What is your school’s CTE focus for the 23-24 school year? We focus on Manufacturing with an emphasis on Digital Design and Production.
How is CTE work in your school making a difference for students? Students design their own creations and produce products with industry-like equipment. Much of their work is hands-on.
What is something people may not know about CTE in schools? CTSOs (Career and Technical Student Organizations) are a critical part of every CTE program; mine is TSA (Technology Student Association). Students take the skills they learn in class and apply them at regional, state and national competitions.
Dave Fowler working with students.