The Weitz Construction Academy at Seminole Ridge High School is a win-win for students and local families in need of housing.

It’s an emotional moment when teacher Todd Williams and his students at Seminole Ridge High School deliver a new Habitat home to a local family.

“It’s just joy,” Todd said. “The families are so happy, thanking us and thanking the students. It’s very rewarding.”

Todd leads a unique educational program called the Weitz Construction Academy that builds one house every school year in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County.

Todd’s 120-plus students work on the house during classes at the high school, which is located in Westlake. They put together everything from the frame, flooring, and roof, to the finished interior, including electrical, plumbing, insulation, drywall, doors and windows. The students build the home in four sections, and construct the roof separately. The pieces of the house are then transported on flatbed trucks from the school to the home site. Habitat’s staff and volunteers then take over to assemble it and finish the project.

The program is a double win for the community.

Todd’s students learn high-demand construction skills that can help them land a job or an advanced educational opportunity. And a local Habitat partner family gets an affordable new home.

The Construction Academy started in 2011 and has built 11 homes so far. The students are now working on the 12th. To see photos of the completed houses, click here.

Todd starts freshman with a basic course on job safety and how to use tools. “The second half of their freshman year, they start working,” Todd said.

After spending his entire career working in construction, Todd made the switch to teaching four years ago, taking over leadership of the Academy from founder Rick Terkovich.

He finds it deeply satisfying when his graduates go on to find success in the construction industry. “Last year, I ended up having two kids go on to architecture school,” he said. “One is going to be an engineer. I had probably three or four going into electrical. A couple went into plumbing. One actually went to work for the school district as a maintenance employee.”

“If we can give them a good head start, it can make all the difference to students interested in the construction industry,” Todd said.

And their finished product can also make all the difference to a family that needs a home.

To find out more about the Weitz Construction Academy, CLICK HERE.

Written by Steve Plamann, a dedicated Habitat for Humanity volunteer.