Eleva-Strum tech ed teacher and Cardinal Manufacturing advisor Craig Cegielski was recently named the Wisconsin Rural Teacher of the Year as presented by Jerry Fiene, executive director of the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance, on Nov. 13.

Cegielski honored with Wisconsin Rural Teacher of the Year award

E-S tech ed teacher lauded for innovative Cardinal Manufacturing program
It’s fun to know all your hard work is being recognized." ~Craig Cegielski

 

by Beth Kraft

 

Since joining the Eleva-Strum School District in 2005, teacher Craig Cegielski has virtually revolutionized Central High School’s technology education program by introducing a student-run business model that has drawn attention from schools and manufacturing partners across the state and nation.

For the major strides taken by Cardinal Manufacturing in just seven years, Cegielski was honored Nov. 13 with the Wisconsin Rural Teacher of the Year award during the annual Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance Conference, held in Stevens Point.

Cegielski said he didn’t know he had been nominated to receive the award and found out about it just a few days before the conference, where he and a group of Cardinal Manufacturing students were already scheduled to give a presentation about their program highlighting school and community business partnerships.

“It’s fun to know all your hard work is being recognized,” commented Cegielski.

However, events like CM’s recent open house are, in some ways, a more meaningful measure of success in Cegielski’s eyes. 

The annual event allows him to mingle with the area community, program supporters, and business partners and catch up with CM alumni, he reasoned.

“I certainly appreciate those awards, but I have more fun at these events,” Cegielski said during the program’s Nov. 19 open house, which was attended by hundreds of local residents and manufacturing professionals.

Since the program’s inception, Cegielski has helped mold Cardinal Manufacturing into a self-sustaining, thriving business that teaches students key manufacturing and business skills. CM alumni have since gone on to pursue careers as welders, CNC operators, engineers, drafting specialists and construction managers.

The program has also developed partnerships with several companies in Wisconsin and those in other states, including Illinois, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, drawing in valuable resources and business connections.

Overseeing the operation of a real live business in a school setting takes a lot of time and effort, but Cegielski insists the hours he puts in outside of the normal school day and during the summer aren’t excessive.

“It’s not as much as people think,” he said, estimating he spends about 50-60 hours per week teaching classes at E-S and on Cardinal Manufacturing activities. 

“Some people think I’m working 14 hours a day, but I’m not,” he added. “I delegate everything and my students do a lot.”

Truthfully, CM members have been able to take control of more and more responsibilities each year since the program has gotten off the ground. 

Student workers shoulder tasks in all facets of the business such as office management, communication with customers, designing and developing products, filling and shipping orders, invoicing, accounting, scheduling, and marketing, to name a few.

Cegielski also notes he doesn’t order materials or tooling anymore, another job CM students have picked up to learn how to run a business.

“I want the students to have that experience of problem solving,” he explained, stressing the management skills taught by the CM program are almost more important than the technical skills.

Cegielski and CM students also work closely with the district’s English, math and business ed teachers, who offer their expertise and assistance with various program tasks.

Cegielski also credits the area community for its contributions to Cardinal Manufacturing’s success from helping to maintain equipment to volunteering to pick up and deliver items.

“It’s not all on me,” he emphasized. “It’s the community, it’s the school, it’s the kids, it’s the parents. There are a ton of people that are making this happen. I just happen to be in the center of it directing traffic. I’m just the hub.”

The recent award qualifies Cegielski as a semifinalist for the National Rural Education Association Teacher of the Year Program, a WiRSA press release states.

Others honored by WiRSA at the Rural Schools conference were: Joseph Simonich of Hurley, Rural Board of Education Member of the Year; Randy Bergman, Prentice School District Superintendent, and Scott Foster, Land O’Lakes Elementary School Principal, Rural Administrators of the Year; Pam Kumm of Pittsville, Rural Support Person of the Year; Steven Ricks of the Lodi Community Action Team, Rural Community Partner of the Year; and Dr. Frederick Yeo, UW-Oshkosh Dean of the College of Education & Human Services, Rural Advocacy Award.

A non-profit organization dedicated to helping address the various challenges rural school districts face, the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance is made up of administrators, educators, school board members, post-secondary reps, community members, business leaders and other individuals with a passion for rural education.

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