Maritime hobbies have always been a part of Todd Christiansen’s life.
Growing up, he enjoyed boating, fishing and sailing in and around Puget Sound, and he likes to tell the story of how his grandfather came to the U.S. on a three-masted schooner from Denmark.
Today, as principal of the Homeschool Resource Center in Edmonds, Christiansen is helping to implement a maritime program for students, in hopes of giving them the opportunity to explore the industry and all it has to offer.
“One of our interests is to give kids and families who have never had the opportunity to get involved with something like this the chance,” Christiansen said. “It falls in perfectly with the nature of our program.”
Beginning this fall, the Homeschool Resource Center will offer a two-year program for high school students interested in learning about the maritime industry. Through various courses, students will hone their skills in navigation, boat building, marine carpentry, oceanography, and other related subjects. Classes are scheduled to take place from noon to 2 p.m. Monday though Thursday. The program will be based at the school, but is open to any high school student in the district.
The program was officially approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in April, and it is the only program of its kind in the Edmonds School District, according to district officials.
Currently, the program is designed to serve 25 students, and while many have already enrolled, there are still spots available, said Mark Madison, director of career and technical education for the district.
Through partnerships with the Edmonds Coast Guard, Edmonds Parks and Recreation and the Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle, some of the courses will be taught by industry professionals. District officials currently are working to narrow down possible instructors for the bulk of the program.
“We’re trying to make a whole out of all the parts and introduce the Northwest to the students,” said Jim Underhill, a parent and part of the program design team. “Maybe it starts with a walk on the Edmonds waterfront to learn about science, then they go on to the University of Washington graduate program in oceanography. We just want to give students the opportunity to pursue their passions and interests.”
Another reason officials became interested in offering the maritime program is the opportunity for employment.
“When we went out and talked to industry reps about the program, they just fell over themselves, literally,” Underhill said. “They were pleading for qualified students to take over in an aging work force and kept saying, ‘how can we help you.’”
One student who very well might fill that position in the future is Homeschool Resource Center student Christian Dana.
Though he is still a year away from high school, 13-year-old Dana has his sights set on the maritime program.
“I want to get into it – I like being on the water and doing things with boats,” Dana said.
In the past few years, Dana and his mom, Michele, have volunteered at the Center for Wooden Boats, and Christian has taken sailing classes.
The opportunity to get a head start on his career is appealing.
“I don’t know exactly what I want to do yet … definitely something in carpentry,” Christian Dana said. “But I’m excited.”
For more information call 425-670-7840.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
