“As a skilled trades teacher, what I love most is the opportunity to ignite a passion for craftsmanship in my students. I’m deeply passionate about sharing not just the technical skills but also the values of dedication, precision, and creativity that are inherent in the trades.”
Mike Degitis teaches Infrastructure Engineering – Construction at Cherry Creek Innovation Campus in Centennial, Colorado. He began his teaching career in the math department at a traditional high school in Denver. In 2019, his district established the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC), a career and technical education facility aimed at reshaping high school education and career preparation. When the CCIC opened, Degitis found his dream job, merging his love for building with shaping young minds. He seeks to inspire students to pursue careers in the skilled trades by sharing his experiences as an entrepreneur, carpenter, and remodeler.
In Degitis’ classroom, learning begins with addressing a real-life challenge, such as proposing a solution for the homelessness crisis in Denver. The process starts with peer discussions, brainstorming, and sharing experiences to determine the necessary knowledge. The construction students at the CCIC collaborate with the Colorado Village Collaborative, a Denver non-profit aiding the transition of the unhoused out of homelessness. They build five tiny homes a year at material cost for a village in Downtown Denver, which provides housing and wraparound services such as career counseling and mental healthcare. The students engaged with the client, architect, and engineer, and have recently completed their 21st Tiny Home. The students manage the entire project themselves, including client meetings, scheduling, budgeting, research, construction, city inspections, and fundraising for care packages. The construction program at the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus has experienced consistent growth in enrollment each year. Over the past three years, the program has reached full capacity, with staff taking on additional workloads to accommodate more students.
Notes of Excellence
- Students graduating the CCIC are career ready: 100 percent of Year 1 students receive their OSHA 10 certifications, and over 95 percent graduate with their HBI PACT Core certificate, enabling them to work on site before turning 18.
- Success is measured by stories such as Jaden and Anna, both of whom found their place at the CCIC, competed in SkillsUSA state and national competitions. Jaden is now in his second year of an electrical apprenticeship with Sturgeon Electric, while Anna signed a $60,000 contract as a local building engineer.
- Enrollment of female students has increased from 6 (representing 6 percent of the class) in the program’s first year to 24 in 2024 (15 percent).
- The Construction Program at Cherry Creek Innovation Campus averages 150 students per year, with an additional 50 on the waitlist. Next year, enrollment will increase to 160 students.