In his second year on the Tyrone High School staff, industrial arts and technology teacher Kermit Foor has been busy updating old courses and creating new ones.
Foor had some big shoes to fill, taking over last year for long-time metal shop teacher Ed Vancas, but his youthful enthusiasm and creativity have quickly made him a popular teacher among the students in both the middle and high school.
“I love Mr. Foors’ class because it’s a fun environment to learn in, and we get to listen to a playlist we made,” sophomore Brayden Parsons said.
Foor teaches Art and Fine Metalworking, Metalworking I. Intro to Technology, 6th-grade Technology, and 7th-grade Metalworking.
“This year has been very rewarding and productive,” Foor said, “I introduced one new course, Art and Fine Metalworking, where we focus on design concepts and creating custom metal projects and sculptures.”
He hopes to develop new courses on robotics and digital fabrication in the future. These courses would require students to use high-tech equipment and help prepare them for careers in growing technology fields.
In Metalworking I students will learn the basics of welding and metal fabrication. Other courses build on these ideas and further develop metalworking skills.
“He is a very patient and helpful guy. He has taught us to use dial calipers like wizards,” senior Lane McClellan said.
Foor’s middle school courses introduce younger students to metalworking, providing them with a base of knowledge that Foor hopes they will use to develop their skills once they get to high school.
“Mr. Foor is really a great teacher. He makes class fun and entertaining,” 7th grader Brenson Davis said.
Principal Shane Cowher at the middle school and Chad Packer at the high school are happy to have Foor on staff.
“Tech ed teachers are hard to come by these days, so we were happy to add Kermit to our staff last year. The kids really enjoy his classes because they are hands-on, and he makes learning fun. Kermit is bringing some cutting-edge ideas into his classes. In addition to that, he has been a great DJ for our middle school dances,” Cowher said.
Foor has been a DJ since high school and provided the music for both middle and high school dances this year.
“Mr. Foor has thoughtful planning and designs instruction to create engaging activities for all students. The courses he has created to enhance student learning will be beneficial and enhance the Industrial Arts Program,” Packer said.
Many students find Foor’s classes to be interesting and engaging. He is not afraid to joke around and have fun in his classes which helps students become more engaged. He can connect with students in part because he is younger, having graduated from Bellwood High School in 2018.
“My favorite thing about working at Tyrone is the students and making connections with them,” said Foor.
Finally, he has a great sense of style that the students appreciate.
“He has the craziest mustache I’ve ever seen. Great guy,” senior Tony Hughes said.
