One of McHenry High School Engineering Instructor Russell Micklinghoff’s favorite activities to do in his engineering classes is to take students on a walking tour at Upper Campus to look at the different construction principles at play throughout the building.
It is an activity that has gotten even more interesting with the addition of the Center for Science, Technology and Industry on the north side. Slight differences in walls, ceilings, floors and other places provide clues on which sections were built when.
Showing real-life engineering examples while building relationships with students is all part of the plan to move them forward to their futures. Micklinghoff said the relationships with students is what inspires him as a teacher.
“The ultimate goal is to help students find what they need for their future,” Micklinghoff said. “It’s important to make those connections so students are set up for success,”
His effort to be a positive role model is one of the many things cited by those nominating him for McHenry High School’s Staff Member of the Month Award. Micklinghoff was selected for the award for April 2022.
Students past and present credit him with going above and beyond to help them succeed.
“He has helped me, personally, choose courses, consider college options, consider careers I might like, feel more confident, and with outside projects aligning with his expertise for no other reasons other than that he loves to help and he genuinely cares about his students,” said Zachary Martin, Class of 2021, in his 2019 nomination.
Giving tours of the building is another way to show students engineering principles that are all around.
He is somewhat of an expert on the former West Campus since he was born and raised in McHenry and graduated from West in 1994. Micklinghoff, who enjoyed geometry and trigonometry in school, was planning to study to go into architecture or civil engineering when his former teacher and mentor Toby Scott suggested he consider teaching. After starting his studies at McHenry County College, Micklinghoff transferred to Illinois State University for teaching, specifically in Career and Technical Education (CTE).
After doing his student teaching at Bloomington Area Vocational Center, Micklinghoff returned to McHenry High School where he currently teaches Project Lead The Way engineering curriculum, Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering and Engineering Design and Development.
He said 50 percent of his students go on to study engineering in college after completing the program while another 20 percent go on to technical or trade schools.
In addition to classroom instruction, students participate in the VEX Robotics Competition and Illinois Design Educators Association competition. He’s hoping to grow engineering activities outside of the classroom, through the new Drones and Robotics Club and more.
Micklingoff said he’s happy to reinforce math and science principles in his classes. “I’m just lucky to be able to show them how to use it,” he said.
To see the video announcing the award, click here.
The Staff Member of the Month program recognizes MCHS staff members who go above and beyond for the benefit of students. Thanks to the support from Meat and Potato Eatery and Brunch Cafe, each monthly winner receives a gift certificate as well as a plaque.
To learn more about the program, click here. To make a nomination, click here.
