Constructing Futures with Allie Berenyi and Sandy Thistle

In this episode, we sit down with Allie Berenyi and Sandy Thistle, two experienced instructors from the Construction and Remodeling program at Madison College. They share their insights into the world of construction and remodeling, and how they've made changes to the program to help their students succeed.

Allie and Sandy not only discuss the common misconceptions about the construction and remodeling industry, but also shed light on their efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in the field. In addition, they discuss how they've reimagined their assessments to better fit the needs and skills of the industry, and how that work came in tandem with their efforts towards equitable grading practices. They highlight the importance of aligning assessments with industry practices and incorporating hands-on work into the learning process.

Allie and Sandy also share an inspiring student success story that showcases the impact of the program and how it's changing lives.

Allie Berenyi is a highly experienced carpenter, having worked in the industry for over 30 years. For the past 18 years, she has been sharing her expertise with the next generation of carpenters as an instructor of Construction & Remodeling at Madison Area Technical College.

Throughout her career, Allie has been passionate about making the construction industry more accessible and welcoming to everyone, especially those who haven’t traditionally seen themselves in the skilled trades. She is committed to breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

In addition to her work at the college, Allie enjoys challenging herself to learn new skills, such as reupholstering furniture, building cabinets and furniture, and even riding a motorcycle. As an educator, she believes in putting herself in her students’ shoes by experiencing the vulnerability that comes with learning something new.

Sandy Thistle has been teaching at Madison College full-time for 13 years and part time for around 30. Her teaching journey began while she was still a carpenter apprentice, with the Tools For Tomorrow program, which focused on facilitating women's entry into the trades.

Throughout her career, both in the field as a carpenter and in the classroom, Sandy has been committed to opening doors wider for all folks who are underrepresented in the building trades. She recognizes that many high school counselors still have little understanding of the building trades and who would be a good fit in this arena. Sandy herself found the trade by luck and continues to spread the word about what a satisfying career and perfect fit carpentry can be for those willing to pursue it.

Sandy shares with Allie a willingness to place herself in the student's role as a reminder of the bravery it takes to learn something new. She understands that the experience of having expectations that don't meet reality can be challenging. Despite this, Sandy maintains a positive attitude, continually challenging herself to learn and grow. She even admits to having experienced the juxtaposition of her vision with her results when trying out new things like ceramics.

In her personal life, Sandy lives with her partner of 27 years, Daithi Wolfe, and her dog Trixie in a 100+ year old house. She enjoys outdoor activities such as cross-country skiing in winter and bicycling in summer.

Resources:

CampBUILD

Article by Allie Berenyi: ⁠The Value of a Diversified Workforce⁠