SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA —We’ve got 16 dog houses, each one of them just waiting for a dog to move in. If you have a dog in need of a home, South Tahoe High School’s CTE Construction class has you covered.
Students recently completed 16 hand-built doghouses as part of an immersive, project-based learning experience, and every single one of them is available free to any community member who can come pick one up. What started as a classroom assignment turned into a master class in real-world construction. The results speak for themselves.
Under the direction of Mr. Amsden, students worked through the full scope of what goes into building a structure from the ground up. They learned foundational skills like framing, measuring, and cutting, as well as the finer points of roofing, weatherproofing, and finishing. Each doghouse served as a scaled-down model of a real home. Small in size, these projects are enormous in educational value.
The CTE Construction program at South Tahoe High School (STHS) is exactly the kind of forward-thinking education that bridges the gap between the classroom and a career. Students are gaining practical knowledge in carpentry, structural design, and materials selection. These skills are in high demand across the construction industry. In a region where skilled tradespeople are increasingly needed, programs like this one lay the groundwork for the next generation of builders in our own community.
Perhaps the most impressive proof of what these students can accomplish is a project that goes beyond the doghouse: the class has also completed an entirely custom-built tiny house structure that will be donated to a local elementary school. The structure will serve as an additional learning space for young students. Not only are our CTE students learning industry skills, but they are also contributing to the community, which is equally as important as knowing how to frame a wall.
The completed doghouses are available now, free of charge, to any community member who is able to come to South Tahoe High and pick one up. If you have a furry family member who deserves a new home, we encourage you to reach out. Supplies are limited, and given the quality of the craftsmanship, they won’t last long.
STHS is proud of the students and staff who make the CTE Construction program a shining example of what career and technical education can accomplish. Sixteen dog houses and one tiny house later, these students have now earned industry skills and community pride.
For more information or to arrange pickup of a doghouse, please contact Morgan Amsden or Erika Mathews at South Tahoe High School: mamsden@ltusd.org or emathews@ltusd.org
By Erika Mathews, South Tahoe High School CTE Specialist
