Sanford, FL – November 17, 2017 – In celebration of American Education Week, Wharton-Smith employees from our Sanford and Tampa offices participated in the Great American Teach-In, an annual event where members of the community visit area schools to speak to students about their jobs and the role they play in the companies they work for.  The Teach-In introduces students to career options they might not have considered and emphasizes the importance of staying in school.

Project Manager Keri Strawder visited students at Seminole County Public Schools’ Millennium Middle School in Sanford. She shared her story of working her way through the different jobs in construction and the importance of education in achieving a management position. Keri is currently working on the construction site of the new $43 million Millennium Middle School where many of the kids she was talking to will go next year.

Project Engineer Payden Calhoun addressed an elementary class at Pasco County Schools’ Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills. He walked them through the details of his job responsibilities as a construction manager, teaching them about the different roles on a construction job and stressing the importance of doing well in school so they can go to college and study engineering / construction like he did. Payden pointed out the new classroom addition that Wharton-Smith is currently building outside their window before ultimately putting them to work with engineering marshmallow towers of their own.

“Building schools that make a positive impact on our kids and the communities we live and work in is one of the most rewarding aspects of our job,” said Darin Crafton, Executive Vice President of Wharton-Smith’s Commercial Division. “Opportunities to give back, such as the Great American Teach-In, are truly an honor and we are grateful to be able to partner with these school districts to hopefully inspire kids to get into this worthy profession,” he added.

Construction of K-12 schools is one of Wharton-Smith’s largest markets with more than 300 projects for nine school districts throughout Florida.