“My goal is to create a place where everyone feels welcome, no matter where they’re from, and to build a stronger, more diverse community of skilled workers. Combining trades education with language instruction has been really powerful.”
Oakley Van Oss teaches Welding and Construction at Summit County High School in Breckenridge, Colorado. His journey into teaching began with a degree in Spanish and International Affairs, which led him to blend language education with outdoor adventures. Transitioning into full-time teaching of trades was not his original plan, but Van Oss jumped at the chance to draw on his background in construction and teach welding. He obtained his G1 gas metal arc welding certification and discovered a way to merge his passion for building with teaching. In today’s world, trades are crucial for fostering connections among people. Recognizing the unique ability of the trades to build connections, and observing increasing numbers of Spanish-speaking tradespeople, Van Oss is dedicated to helping students learn both the language and the culture.
In his welding classes, students are learning how to weld, fabricate, apply finishing details, and work collaboratively to solve problems. Currently, Van Oss has four students working in local fabrication shops, gaining valuable jobsite experience and making money. In addition to welding classes, students in Construction Tech I and Careers in Construction are also deeply involved in hands-on learning and real-world applications. In Construction Tech I, students learn to handle tools and maintain safety. The course includes framing, electrical work, plumbing, and other trades. Students also build stage sets for plays and musicals. In Careers in Construction, students construct a tiny home from scratch, starting with the trailer and finishing with the roof. This project generates significant community interest; tradespeople eagerly participate by teaching alongside the students, helping with organization, or donating materials. Many volunteers, who have children in the schools and recognize the need for skilled workers in trades, are fully engaged in supporting the initiative.
Notes of Excellence
- Van Oss was named Outstanding Educator of the year 2023 by the Summit Foundation.
- Van Oss built his school’s Bilingual Welding 1, Bilingual Construction Tech 1, Welding 2 and 3, and Careers in Construction classes from scratch.
- Van Oss’s classes have teamed up with local groups like The Summit County Builders Association, the Keystone Science School, the Summit Foundation, and others to connect their programs into the community. They have also partnered with ESAB’s Future Fabricators program, which provides tools, equipment, scholarships, training, and educational materials.