“Easy money didn’t think about it as a career,” says John Weatherby, construction’s class teacher. Weatherby has been the construction trades teacher since 1996. When asked why he pursued construction, Mr. Weatherby considers his most enjoyable quality of construction to be “building start to finish” and being able to “appreciate” his own work. As for being a construction teacher, Mr. Weatherby obviously must have learned some qualities and life lessons teaching kids how to properly construct projects and such. Mr. Weatherby’s response was straight and simple, “getting some skills from the workplace.” As stated before, John Weatherby started teaching in 1996, here at Pasco High school. When presented the question, how was your experience teaching since then? Mr. Weatherby proclaimed that it was an “enjoyable experience.” When it comes down to Mr. Weatherby’s most sentimental project, he explained it had to be the house he built all by himself in the state of Montana.  

He originally pursued the career of environmental conservation. “I saw so much polluting, and I just wanted to clean it up.” He also got a degree in teaching, so that he could teach the younger generation how to work in construction.  Before teaching at Pasco High School, Mr. Weatherby traveled around the country working on big projects for the government. He enjoyed travelling and liked to see what each state had to offer. South Dakota was his favorite place to visit. He liked South Dakota for the good pheasant hunting and the scenery. The least of his favorite places was Utah for its miserable heat and desert scenery. Some of the projects Mr. Weatherby has worked on are the missile silos for the U.S. defense system during the Cold War. “Proud to be working on the security of the nation,” said Mr. Weatherby. The conditions in the silos were bad with loud noises, no ventilations and it was one of the hardest jobs he worked on. Mr. Weatherby also worked in the Hanford nuclear site in Washington state. Fortunately, he worked at Hanford six months before the closure in the early 80’s. As for what Mr. Weatherby worked rigorously, helping in a concrete crew to create a nuclear reactor. As he settled in the Tri-cities, he made his own construction company for a better living, better money and his own boss, which Mr. Weatherby happened to start in the year 1992.  

Digressing back to today, Mr. Weatherby was proposed a somewhat political question which was “since you worked at the oil rigs In Alaska, how do you now feel about President Biden’s decision to close the pipelines/oil rigs?” He calmly replied with, “I’m an environmentalist, I have no problem with the closure of pipelines. I understand we need it, but it is also harmful to the environment, until there is new technology, we will just have to deal with it.” 

Mr. Weatherby claims that construction class in Pasco High School started during the 96’-97’ schoolyear. Lastly, Weatherby’s construction class offers a basic skillset that can get you ready for the workforce, whether the job you’re trying to get vested in is construction related, or you just want good basic skills. you can gladly register to join. 

Construction trade class is a year-long class that is two hours long. In that time frame, students learn on how to use tools and cut wood with perfect measurements. Students also learn how to read blueprints and use them properly. Mr. Weatherby doesn’t do the work. All students do all the work from framing, to installing the cabinets, and putting the tiles on the floor. By the end of the year, the class celebrates with a big party and with guests to see the new house. The house gets sold, and the money is used for next year’s construction class.  

This class is used as a pathway to graduation. The reason is because this is the same type of class as an auto shop or metals class. These classes can get students strait to the work force and without having to go to college.  Some students may also choose the trade school route.  Employers can call Mr. Weatherby to hire seniors to work for them. He would send resumes to them with the information of the students. Students also get an OSHA card when they take the construction class. The OSHA card is very important if people want to pursue a carrier in construction. It will show that they have been trained properly and educated with the proper equipment. In the OSHA class, they also show them how to do CPR and use an AED. With all this training and education, students have a higher possibility of getting right out of high school.  By the end of the day, students will have fun and learn excellent skills that can be used in the real world. If you’re interested in the construction class, talk to your counselor and sign up.