Mr. Carey, Certified Tech Ed teacher and a new staff member here at HHS, has made quite the splash in the first couple of months of his tenure at the school. As someone who has already taken a class with him, his vibrant teaching methods and excitement about his students’ academic and personal development have spread like wildfire throughout our technical education department and school in general. Though he got the role through experience, he has demonstrated a clear ability to interact with the kids in his classroom effectively and engagingly, which keeps everyone involved and always asking questions. He has previously done projects through “Wrenching for the Future,” a program designed to give students scholarship opportunities for tech colleges by working with many different schools’ Tech Ed departments across multiple states to raise funds through building a hot rod. When he landed a teaching job at Hayward, he carried with him a vision of building a similar program here at the school. So that’s exactly what he did. Thus, the birth of Cane’s Customs in Mr. Carey’s autos class. Every time I step into the shop, there is an underlying sense of enthusiasm that directly correlates to this project. For the kids, it simply means more.
With the stability of year-round classes, Mr. Carey now had the time and space to start a bigger project than previously done: building a truck from the frame up and auctioning it off at the end of the year. Since there weren’t any funds to begin with, much of the “get the ball rolling” money for parts, the truck itself, and other expenses was covered by Mr. Carey out of pocket. To put it in his words: “something had to get it started.” Some four grand he put into this project before any fundraisers or a clear financial direction had emerged. This proves his willingness to get things done right away rather than wait for a slower administrative process. He stated that he has faith he will be adequately reimbursed for these expenses and has been diligent in tracking all the costs he has fronted. Though it’s only December, it’s clear this project is something that motivates students to excel and stay in school. As one student told me, “It’s pretty much the reason I go to school.”
When it comes to challenges, something everyone faces in life, Cane’s Customs is no exception. “The main challenge we have is the spending of funds,” Mr. Carey told me. “I get why it’s there, but there is a lot of red tape when it comes to getting the money to buy parts for the car”. The process is a little involved at times, with the requirement of filling out purchase orders in order to spend money from a designated account, which didn’t exist when the project originated. He told me purchase orders typically take a week to get authorized, but can take longer depending on the circumstances.
When you learn from Mr. Carey, he teaches you more than simply technical skills. His contrasting approach to teaching and down-to-earth honesty are just some of the traits that make him an exceptional teacher. He has become a person students may confide in and ask for life advice. I can personally say that every time I get the opportunity to speak with him, the most difficult thing is finding a way to end the conversation. The wealth of real-world experience he brings into the classroom keeps a central focus on preparing students for life after high school, and assisting them by pre
senting the option of trade school for kids who might not otherwise be planning on post-secondary education. “I don’t think teachers are just there to teach you how to add 2+2,” he told me in our sitdown, “They’re also there to bestow some of their knowledge otherwise, out of a school context, mentor them in life situations too.” When I asked him about what student successes he has seen, he told me he sees them all the time: “I see it every day where they’re using their brain to accomplish something that doesn’t fit right. What do I need to do to make it work? And they do that…(they) don’t just come to me, they take initiative to do that.” “Little wins every day.”
As far as long-term goals for Cane’s Customs go, Mr. Carey had this to say: “Being able to dole out a decent amount of scholarships for kids that want to get into trade schools, and getting kids into trade schools. That’s the main goal of this. …and it doesn’t have to be mechanics work…it would also help kids think, ‘well if I can get a scholarship, maybe I can be an electrician or a plumber,’ just give them more options.” “And get the community involved. That’s what I want, fundraisers, car shows, yeah.” At the time of writing this article, Cane’s Customs has already finished a fundraiser run over Thanksgiving break, with an impressive turnout. A student who participated in this fundraiser told me: “We raised a bunch of money for the truck, and we’re able…to keep funding the project. We’re really thankful for all the support our community has given throughout this process.” There was also a fundraiser at the Tamarack Health Center at the high school on December 6th. Future events include the North Central WI ATV/UTV Ride coming up on January 6th. Details and registration are available via Facebook: North Central WI ATV/UTV Rides, and additional details on the Cane’s Customs Facebook page. Any donations people wish to send in should be checks made out to “Cane’s Customs” and mailed to the high school.
I believe it’s a beautiful thing to see a teacher so passionate about the well-being and success of his students. The most recent update on the truck was the installation of a new engine on December 5th. Progress reports may be found on the Cane’s Customs TikTok account, which is updated daily. It was a true pleasure to interview those involved in this undertaking, and I’m honored to write this article. From all of us here at HHS Wanaki and Cane’s Customs, happy holidays to you and yours.
