Jeffrey Berg, program coordinator for the building construction technology department, was named outstanding technical teacher by the American Technical Education Association (ATEA). He was chosen out of 14 other nominees from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Montana and Wyoming.
Although he was unable to attend the Oct. 21 awards ceremony in Sioux City, Iowa, he said he was humbled to be nominated by his peers.
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Berg notably led students to construct the 14,720 square feet steel-framed instructional shop and classroom building. About 140 students have been involved in that project and others, including the north side Wahpeton fire station and Fairview Cemetery storage building.
Since construction on the classroom began 12 years ago, students have created three more additions. Each January, they construct the sections inside a large laboratory building and set up the housing outside in the spring so electricians, plumbers and students can install the utilities.
"This program is probably unique in the nation in the fact that students built the facility we're teaching in," said Berg, who was hired as the lead instructor when the program initiated in 1997.
Over time, he's gained plenty of outside experience that has lent itself to this kind of work. As a first sergeant of the North Dakota Army National Guard, he helped repair schools, hospitals and other public buildings in Iraq in 2003. He also contributed to constructing a 4,000-5,000 prisoner holding area in Abu Ghraib.
Berg is now eligible for the national outstanding teacher award, which will be presented April 2010 in Indianapolis, Ind.
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