involved are just now beginning to understand that what they do in the classroom can impact others .
“ Everything we teach is deeply rooted in real-world scenarios and we always emphasize how architecture and ag mechanics have the potential to contribute to all aspects of life ,” he said . “ Specifically with this tiny house , students are not only learning about actual building construction in real time , but are learning how to make someone using this structure feel comfortable and at home . Students are able to feel true empathy towards these residents because they have had to extensively research about this type of living .”
Students are learning the value of the old adage of “ measure twice , cut once .” They ’ ve had to correct a few mistakes . The FISD tiny house is about 560 square feet and features two lofts that will each contain two twin beds . The lower level will have a full bath , a small kitchen and a bar area where the occupants can eat or work on resumes and job applications , Scheu said . He spends many days walking through the house as it is framed out by students , checking their work .
The two educators reached out to Grace to Change Director Shannon White after learning about the new program during a local newscast . They saw a chance for a learning partnership .
White is a licensed chemical-dependency counselor who teaches classes to incarcerated women . She has discovered that after women are released from jail , housing and transportation are difficult hurdles to overcome . Anyone with assault , robbery or child endangerment felony
12 | FOCUS charges on their record is unable to rent in the majority of apartment complexes in Collin County , according to White .
When White visited the school to inspect the house progress in January , she became very emotional .
“ I may just cry , right here , right now ,” she told Scheu as she stood in what will be the common living space of the tiny house .
The CTE students talk about the future of the tiny house and its residents almost every day , according to August Peterson , a senior at Reedy High School who is in his second year of ag mechanics at the CTE Center . He has helped build two full sheds and several trailers , in addition to working on the house .
Ag teacher Brandon Scheu checks plans with students Kate Derheim and William Prevost on site at the tiny house .
“ We think it is pretty cool ,” he said . “ We wonder if they will know how much time and effort we have put into this but how fun it is too . It is great to be building something that will help them have a second chance .”
The tiny-house project is also helping students prepare for future careers .
Rachel Erlinger , a student in Floyd ’ s architecture class , helped design the electrical plan for the current tiny house along with classmate Shane Bugni . Erlinger has a real passion for tiny houses and for helping people .
Josh Quintero knows that checking measurements throughout the building process is part of learning the basics of construction .
Rachel Erlinger and Shane Bugni worked together to design the electrical plan for the tiny house .
She will be working with White weekly as a student intern this semester . She is currently working on a one-person tiny-house design for Grace to Change . Her second-year project for Floyd ’ s class is designing a tiny-house village concept for college students . The two projects fit together nicely .
Erlinger has some previous experience too . She volunteered on a tiny-house construction project during a summer mentorship program for future architecture students . Her work with tiny houses has helped solidify her desire to continue to study architecture as a student at Oklahoma State University .
“ I love the idea of working with a charity to try and help the homeless ,” she said . “ These are people who need to be loved on and they touch my heart . Being able to help people have a place to live and to grow fills my heart with happiness .”
For every nail , shingle or piece of wood used in this project , FISD students and staff know their house will be much more than a roof over the heads of its future residents .
It will be a place where they can find hope for tomorrow and the grace to change their lives . •