Trailblazing Teacher‘s Vision Equips Students with Valuable Skills
Written August 29, 2019
Categories: Finishing, Finishing, Finishing, Graphics Production, Industry News, News
Thanks to the efforts of dedicated teacher Leticia Miller, Gardenia High School is the proud owner of a Miller Weldmaster T3 Extreme.
As far back as 2006, Ms. Miller envisioned the idea to develop a program that would give her students real-world skills to allow them to succeed without the need for a college degree. However, with a lack of funding and support, her vision never came to fruition.
Basing the program on her own background in graphics and printing, Ms. Miller dreamed of a unique educational program where students would learn the necessary skills needed to manage a graphic design company from beginning to end. Her students would learn how to create graphic designs within the Adobe Suite software, print the designs on a heavy-duty printer, and finally learn how to operate a hot wedge welding machine to finish all four sides of a banner.
In 2016, Ms. Miller applied for the Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) through the California Department of Education. Her grant was eventually approved, and she was awarded nearly a million dollars. This substantial funding was enough for her to embark on her dream, imparting graphic design and business skills into the lives of her students.
When asked what inspired her to lead students in this direction, she said, “Kids are losing interest in school and having to sit in class all the time. I wanted a space where they could see how necessary their academics are, but also give restless kids something to do. They can use their hands and put things together. Making and creating things, that’s my idea. If you have an idea you can make it happen.”
To build her program, she first investigated fabric welding machines. Her search led her to viewing the Miller Weldmaster T-3 in action on YouTube. The versatility, speed and ease of use of the machine was exactly what Ms. Miller was looking for. The fact that Miller Weldmaster is an American company, with a field service engineer located in California available for training, was an added bonus.
Miller’s program is a three-year pathway that allows her students to become Adobe Certified Experts and aims to provide extensive printing and graphic knowledge. The interactive classroom setting will immerse students in project management, design and material production. Funds raised from signs and banners produced for school and community clients will provide continuous funding of the program.
“Most of my kids won’t go to college, most of these kids need another path,” explains Ms. Miller. “My dream is to see my kids get a job, to be able to get out of here. A vision can start small but can become a really big thing.”
“Miller Weldmaster might only have been a small part of her vision, but we are honored to be a part of educating students and shaping young minds,” said Jeff Sponseller, VP of Sales and Marketing, Miller Weldmaster.
As far back as 2006, Ms. Miller envisioned the idea to develop a program that would give her students real-world skills to allow them to succeed without the need for a college degree. However, with a lack of funding and support, her vision never came to fruition.
Basing the program on her own background in graphics and printing, Ms. Miller dreamed of a unique educational program where students would learn the necessary skills needed to manage a graphic design company from beginning to end. Her students would learn how to create graphic designs within the Adobe Suite software, print the designs on a heavy-duty printer, and finally learn how to operate a hot wedge welding machine to finish all four sides of a banner.
In 2016, Ms. Miller applied for the Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) through the California Department of Education. Her grant was eventually approved, and she was awarded nearly a million dollars. This substantial funding was enough for her to embark on her dream, imparting graphic design and business skills into the lives of her students.
When asked what inspired her to lead students in this direction, she said, “Kids are losing interest in school and having to sit in class all the time. I wanted a space where they could see how necessary their academics are, but also give restless kids something to do. They can use their hands and put things together. Making and creating things, that’s my idea. If you have an idea you can make it happen.”
To build her program, she first investigated fabric welding machines. Her search led her to viewing the Miller Weldmaster T-3 in action on YouTube. The versatility, speed and ease of use of the machine was exactly what Ms. Miller was looking for. The fact that Miller Weldmaster is an American company, with a field service engineer located in California available for training, was an added bonus.
Miller’s program is a three-year pathway that allows her students to become Adobe Certified Experts and aims to provide extensive printing and graphic knowledge. The interactive classroom setting will immerse students in project management, design and material production. Funds raised from signs and banners produced for school and community clients will provide continuous funding of the program.
“Most of my kids won’t go to college, most of these kids need another path,” explains Ms. Miller. “My dream is to see my kids get a job, to be able to get out of here. A vision can start small but can become a really big thing.”
“Miller Weldmaster might only have been a small part of her vision, but we are honored to be a part of educating students and shaping young minds,” said Jeff Sponseller, VP of Sales and Marketing, Miller Weldmaster.