Brussels High School students show off their work.
CTE Teacher Spotlight: Chad Brodbeck, Brussels High School
In a small school where every student matters and every resource counts, Mr. Chad Brodbeck’s work at Brussels High School stands as a powerful example of what hands-on education can be. With just 43 students in the building, many of whom participate in some form of Industrial Arts, Mr. Brodbeck ensures that the trades are not only taught, but truly experienced.
Mr. Brodbeck teaches shop, metals and welding, Computer Aided Design, small engines, and building maintenance, weaving together technical skills with core academic content such as math, English, and innovative technology. Students who enter his classroom with little to no experience using tools, repairing engines, working with wood, or shaping metal quickly gain confidence through his clear instruction, modeling, and emphasis on safety. By the time they leave his classes, students are not only comfortable with equipment and processes but well-versed in the real-world expectations that accompany skilled trade work.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Brodbeck serves as the district’s facility director, overseeing all maintenance, renovations, and improvements across campus. This role becomes another learning opportunity for students. In his building maintenance course, two students shadow him directly, learning through observation and hands-on participation as he diagnoses issues, completes repairs, and maintains the school’s facilities. Through this mentorship, students see firsthand what responsibility, professionalism, and problem-solving look like in action.
What makes Mr. Brodbeck’s program especially remarkable is the impact he creates despite limited resources. Working within a tight budget, he finds innovative ways to provide meaningful, authentic learning experiences. Much of the wood used in student projects comes from his own property, where he operates a personal mill. This resourcefulness allows students to work with real materials, complete high-quality projects, and understand the value of sustainability and ingenuity. It also sends a powerful message: Meaningful learning does not depend on expensive materials, but on dedication, creativity, and care.
The skills students gain in Mr. Brodbeck’s classes extend far beyond the shop. They learn precision, problem-solving, communication, and accountability — skills that prepare them for both the workforce and postsecondary education. Many students leave his program ready to transition into advanced college-level trade courses, equipped with both technical knowledge and confidence in their abilities.
The influence of Mr. Brodbeck’s work reaches beyond the school walls and into the community. Together with his students, he has completed projects requested by community members throughout the county, from building picnic tables for the fair to crafting a custom American flag that was raffled during a Veterans Day event. These projects connect students to their community while reinforcing pride in craftsmanship and service.
Teaching the trades truly shines through in everything Mr. Brodbeck does. Whether he is guiding a student through their first woodworking project, modeling a repair in real time, or leading improvements to school facilities, his commitment to students and to the program is evident. Brussels Community Unit School District 42 is fortunate to have Mr. Brodbeck as its CTE instructor, mentor, and leader, and his impact will continue to be seen in the skills, confidence, and character of the students he teaches.
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