Recipient: Alma Smith, Construction Trades teacher, Mary M. Knight High School, Elma WA
This award is supported by the James M. Lessard Memorial Endowment to recognize outstanding service to construction education by instructors who cultivate their students to join the construction industry. The Lessard Family presented this honor to Alma Smith and spent time touring the classroom and visiting with construction students.
Due to the Core Plus Construction sequence of courses, Mary M. Knight High School was able to make the bold decision to transition Alma Smith from a part-time to full-time Career and Technical Education (CTE) instructor. Expansion of the construction program has enabled Alma to continue his dedication to helping students explore their potential. His teaching focuses on providing a learning space that allows students to design, create, and build while learning about construction careers and foundational life skills. Alma’s greatest gifts are his abilities to see and appreciate students as individuals with unique gifts, while caring for each of them and their futures. He truly represents the spirit of this award.
This article was featured in the AGC Education Foundation newsletter.
