Godwin Heights — As senior Annie Vasquez put the final wall on her house model, she realized she was about three inches short, preventing the ceiling joist from connecting properly.
“It’s going to take some problem solving,” said Tom Jesser, Annie’s teacher. “You can either work with it or make a new one.”
Annie and her classmates used the models to learn about framing in Godwin Heights Public Schools’ new Home Improvement class. Jesser noted he chose the name because he is a fan of Tim Allen’s “Home Improvement” TV show.
Located in the high school’s former shop classroom, the semester-long elective is one of seven new classes this year. It is designed to give students experience in basic home repair, from understanding foundations and framing to working with electrical and plumbing systems, repairing drywall and finishing walls with paint.
‘I feel like I could use the information and skills in a future career, or at the very least in my own house.’
— senior Angel Ramos-Lopez
Students also learn to replace outlets and switches, fix leaky sinks and faucets and patch drywall — all of which Jesser said he enjoys working on in his own home.
“It’s a hands-on class with the idea of giving the students the experience so that they not only know how to fix things themselves, but are able to talk intelligently with professionals about the problems they are seeing or experiencing,” he explained.
Building the Class
Jesser utilized Grandville High School’s home repair program, taught by Ron Denning, to create the curriculum for the course.
Students start by learning about workplace safety, Jesser said. From there, they learn about a structure’s foundation and what’s behind the drywall, such as framing, plumbing and electrical. Then it’s how to hang drywall, installing switches and electrical outlets, plus plumbing, laying tile and roofing.
“The nice thing is, this class is accessible to all students,” Jesser said. “It does not matter your knowledge or skill level; everyone can do this.”
Jesser has taught two Home Improvement classes per semester, with about 28 students in each class. The students enrolled reflect the school’s demographics, with participants from all grade levels.
Because of the hands-on aspect that engages students, the Home Improvement class was one of three Kent County schools in 2025 to receive a $2,000 TangerKids Grant, designed to support teachers in enhancing programs and better serving students.
A recent class was in the framing unit. Before working with lumber, students first completed a prototype model.
Each student had a budget of about $3,000, which included labor for 12 days and lumber to complete the model.
Grades for the project are based on whether students complete it on time and use only the materials provided.
Students who finished on time or early or who returned unused lumber receive a credit. Those who finished late or needed extra lumber to complete the project were charged. The more they spend on labor or materials, the lower the grade.
Annie was able to correct the issue with her wall, so did not need extra lumber.
A completed model also had to properly identify the different construction terms such as sill plate, rim joist, floor joist, stud, gusset, fire stop, header and ceiling joist.
Framing Models Strengthens Skills, Confidence
Jesser said starting with a framing model helps students understand proportions. The model is built at a one-to-one scale from the design, so students are able to measure the wood against the plan for exact dimensions. When working with lumber, students must scale up from the design — for example, one inch could equal one foot, he said.
Senior Asher Gomoez was one of the first to complete his model, in nine days and for around $2,300.
Asher admitted he had some construction experience from Kent Career Tech Center’s Applied Construction Technology program. He said he enjoys the hands-on aspect of the class and looks forward to learning about electrical work.
‘This class is accessible to all students. It does not matter your knowledge or skill level; everyone can do this.’
— teacher Tom Jesser
Also wrapping up their project early was ninth-grader Adem Matthews and senior Angel Ramos-Lopez
Angel said he also has previous building experience but still found some parts challenging, such as when he and Adem were installing the common rafters for the roof.
“I like building stuff,” Angel said. “I feel like I could use the information and skills in a future career, or at the very least in my own house.”
Excited about the next phase of framing with lumber, Adem spent time helping other students complete their projects, offering tips on how one person should hold the common rafter while the other nailed it in.
“I’ve only done drywalling, so this is an opportunity to try a lot of different things,” senior Elario Cantu said. “I am very interested in the electrical part, learning how to add switches and outlets.”
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