Burrell works to provide students with real-world experience

The high school experience isn’t what it used to be, say two Burrell teachers leading the way in providing students with real-world experience and future readiness opportunities.

This school year, Burrell High School teachers Darcy Holtzman and Ron Zanella have offered high school juniors and seniors job site tours, work experience, post-secondary education visits and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) projects — all during the school day.

“We want the kids to be able to see it one-on-one and do job site tours, but also have the experience of being able to go there and work with people who are doing what they didn’t realize they could do,” Holtzman said.

Twenty-three trips have been scheduled so far, Holtzman said, and 76 students participated.

Senior Liam Kuczinski, 17, went on a trip to the Operating Engineers Local 66 Union in New Alexandria in late October. The union represents heavy equipment operators and mechanics in the construction industry.

“It’s a lifetime opportunity that I can’t pass up,” he said.

Kuczinski said he always was interested in the trades, but the visit to the union opened his eyes. He was able to operate an excavator, backhoe and cranes, meet with units and get a firsthand look at the job. He intends to pursue a career in that field after graduation.

“For me, school and college is not my dream career,” Kuczinski said. “For (Burrell) to offer different programs for kids to at least see what is out there, that’s really beneficial for kids like us.”

Senior Meadow Wlodarczyk, 17, is the leader of Burrell’s STEM team. She and the STEM team have participated in projects at Bayer Co. in Indiana Township and Metplas in Harrison.

“Project management is really cool,” she said. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure project management was a thing, so (Burrell) helped me figure that out.”

The “real-world business experience” helped Wlodarczyk figure out what she wants to do post-graduation. She intends to pursue a college degree in construction management.

Other trips have included Brayman Construction in Saxonburg, the flight school in Butler, the Idea Challenge at Penn State New Kensington and Duquesne University’s Palumbo-Donahue School of Business.

Holtzman and Zanella gave a presentation to Lower Burrell Council members this month. The teachers encouraged local businesses can reach out if they’re interested in partnering with them.

“I’ve enjoyed working with the school district for going on a decade and was thrilled when Darcy approached me in regard to this endeavor,” said Councilman and Mayor-elect Chris Fabry. “It’s a positive step forward for our students and school district. We are eager to help in any way possible.

“Over the years, I have gotten to know so many of our students at various community events in which they volunteered. This is a great opportunity for them to get real-world experience as they get ready to take the next big step forward in their lives.”