LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Academy at Shawnee, a Jefferson County Public Schools middle and high school, designed a day of hands-on training sessions to teach its male students life skills, like how to do laundry, start a business, dress professionally and manage stress.
“I'm actually learning something. I learn better when I see it than when I hear it. It’s better than just sitting in class all day, working on paper. It’s not that fun,” said Austin Green, 10th grader at The Academy at Shawnee.
A crash course on how to maintain a car was one of Green’s favorites.
During the session, the aspiring mechanic learned how to check fluids and change a tire.
“It was easier than I thought. I thought it was gonna be harder, but he just showed me how to do it and I was like dang, it’s like changing my controller,” said Green.
Sessions were led by public safety officers, community partners and staff, like Jamie Goodman.
Goodman has been on the school’s maintenance team for almost a decade.
“I don’t get to teach in school. I'm more of hands-on fixing things in the building, but to actually get in and talk to these kids and and them ask questions and show them and then them understand how to change a tire just make me feel like I taught somebody something today. It’s pretty cool,” said Green.
The event was also a chance for Goodman to serve as a mentor to students.
“I don't know if a lot of them has male role model in their life and I was blessed with some good role models and I'm just trying to teach these guys the same things that some guys have taught me along the way,” said Goodman.
Green said in one day he learned multiple skills he'll use his whole life.
“It’s much important because they are life skills. Half of the stuff I learn in the classroom I don’t remember anyways. I’m not gone forget this though,” said Green.
He won’t forget the mentors he gained like Goodman.
“To me, it means I got somebody to help me up. I have somebody that can help me out in this school if I need to ask questions. He’s right there,” said Green.
Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Marty Pollio and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer also attended the event and shared advice and encouragement with the boys.