At the November 18 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Gallagher began her report by introducing Long Beach Director of Technology and Innovation Keith Harvey who along with Metal Shop teacher Dan Lerner and Woodworking teacher Eric Heck presented this month’s student showcase featuring wood and metal classes as part of the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs. 

These programs provide students with progressive, hands-on experience in both metalworking and woodworking, developing skills from foundational tool use to advanced design and manufacturing techniques. Across these courses, students work with a variety of materials, tools, and machines to create functional and artistic projects while learning industry standard processes in fabrication, finishing, and restoration.

Metalworking coursework begins with essential skills in Metalworking 1, where students construct self-selected projects using sheet metal, casting, forging, and wrought-iron techniques. Metalworking 2 advances these abilities through more complex fabrication processes, including the creation of dies for casting and forging applications.Students seeking to develop advanced level skills may continue into Materials Design and Fabrication in Metal, a course focused on precision machining. Here, students operate lathes, milling machines, and drill presses; use specialized measuring instruments; and gain extensive experience with welding, foundry techniques, sheet-metal forming, and forging. 

Long Beach Senior Alexander Krzeminski also spoke and shared an overview of the skills he has gained since beginning welding as a freshman. He explained that learning this craft has given him the confidence to tackle challenges and develop solutions to any problem. He also shared a metal whistle that he personally designed and fabricated.

Date Added: 11/26/2025