Like many teachers at TAHS, Vocational Education/Carpentry teacher Dan Plummer’s dedication to his students goes well beyond the classroom.  He gives countless hours to his players on the football field, where Plummer is the special teams and JV assistant coach.  He gives his time as the faculty adviser for the SKILLS USA program and he also chaperones trips to Blue Knob with the Ski Club every winter.

But Dan Plummer takes his dedication and trust in his students to another level all together, because when Plummer goes home every evening he goes home TO his student work.

Yes, Mr. Plummer actually lives in a house that his students built.

The carpentry program at Tyrone has built three houses under the direction of Plummer.  The first one that he and his students built became his own family home when he purchased it from the school district by private bid.

“When I was building the house at first I didn’t think I would be living in it but half way through I knew I would be living in it. It feels nice to be living in a house that your students built,” said Plummer.

The program began working on its fourth house project this school year.  The experience of learning what it takes to frame and construct a house from the ground up is a very valuable one for the students in Plummer’s class.

“Dan Plummer is one of the greatest teachers in this school. He teaches you stuff that is great to know in your life,” said senior Andrew Bell-Bigelow.

The carpentry program at Tyrone has graduated many students who are working as carpenters or in a professional field that is related to carpentry.

“Gives the students real hands-on experience at an actual work site,” said fellow vocational education teacher Ed Vancas, “building a house is tough to replicate in a shop environment.”

In addition to teaching, Plummer has been coaching football for 20 years at Tyrone. He was the head coach of the Junior High team until the 2012 season when he became the varsity special team coach and assistant JV coach.

“I like watching the athletes develop into a team and meet their potential,” said Plummer.

“He’s a great coach and he is very inspirational He is very helpful to the team with being a special team coach because special teams plays a major role in the games,” junior Zack Soellner said.

According to Plummer, his favorite season was the year he went 10-0 with the junior high team that went on to become the state runners-up in 2011. His favorite game was when the current seniors beat the Central Dragons when they were his junior high players.

“Besides being a coach he’s always around for school functions such as ski club housing projects, always at basketball games, it obvious that he cares about his town and students,” said senior Joe Steinbugl.

Plummer is also the advisor for the Skills USA program.  The Skills program is something to help the students who are in carpentry and metal shop to help them further their education and it also helps teach leadership skills.

“I encourage every students going through a shop class at Tyrone to take Skills to help them out,” said senior and Skills USA President Dillon Lego.