Industrial tech returns to Cambridge High School

Dexter "Dex" Dodson, the new industrial tech teacher at Cambridge, stands near the new vertical milling machine he will use in his classes. (Lorri Sughroue/McCook Gazette)

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- Cambridge High School is offering a new class this year, for students who don't mind getting their hands a little dirty.

After being discontinued for the past several years, industrial tech is once again being offered as an elective, taught by first-year teacher, Dexter Dodson of Maywood, Nebraska.

Industrial tech classes were dropped a few years ago in Cambridge, a K-12 school with 332 students, with more focus put on FFA, according to Superintendent Rob Gregory. But recently, more students have shown interest in those classes and industrial tech is back in full force.

With 66 students already signed up, plus a junior high exploratory class, Dodson will have his hands full. But that's okay with him, because Dodson is up for the challenge.

"A lot of what I'm teaching are life skills, something kids can use to be more self sufficient," he said, such as automotive basics and home maintenance, two of the classes he'll teach. "If I they know how to use the tools, have some background in the area, when they do encounter a problem, at least they'll be able to troubleshoot and know a little of what's going on."

Other classes he'll teach are woodworking, metals/welding and computer drafting.

Rural areas are especially fitting for industrial tech, he said, with mechanics always in demand. And the automotive class could be something female students may want to look into, he said, so they are not completely in the dark when it comes to their vehicles.

"A lot of Dad's might say, my girls need to take this," he speculated.

Dodson said he has always liked making things with his hands, so getting a teaching degree in industrial tech from Wayne State College was a natural for him.

He's hoping to add some extra-curricular activities in a couple of years, for students who aren't interested in sports and would rather concentrate on something more hands-on, such as creating an electrical vehicle and competing in competitions.

Classes will take place in a classroom and garage area, the former industrial tech area, which has been used for storage and where Dodson has spent the summer cleaning out.

He hopes to inspire his students to take pride in their work and maybe encourage a few to follow in his footsteps.

"There's a shortage of industrial tech teachers, so it would be great if I could inspire one or two to teach," he said.

He and his wife, Jill, who has an elementary teaching degree, moved to Cambridge this summer.