For the last 23 years, Chuck Nitsch has overseen the construction of new homes as the carpentry instructor for the Jefferson College Area Technical School program.
Nitsch, 66, who is retiring at the end of the school year, said students have helped build 17 homes, all in Hillsboro, during his tenure.
He said the high school students enrolled in the program not only have gained knowledge and experience while learning the trade, but also have produced quality homes people want to purchase.
“The first home I built in the program, I think they sold it for $140,000,” he said. “The last one we sold was $250,000. That money goes to the college.”
Nitsch said the students currently are working on the 17th home to be built under his guidance.
He said the ATS carpentry program has been around for 46 years and has produced 40 homes in Jefferson County.
Starting in 2009, Nitsch said he implemented energy-saving home construction using solar panel electric generation and geothermal HVAC technology.
“They are all-electric homes,” Nitsch said. “For the kids, it’s an invaluable experience. They can see all the insulation and energy-efficient features we put in.”
He said home buyers love those features.
“I’m working currently in the circle where some of the houses are – Ray Henry Way, off of Elm,” Nitsch said. “A retired couple bought one on the circle. The husband will come over while we’re working on the house (currently under construction) to tell me what their monthly electric bill is. His last one was $14.
“The energy footprint for most of the houses is less than $500 a year.”
Nitsch said local contractors who participate in the building program by taking care of some of the more advanced tasks work well with the students.
“They’ll even do some instruction for the kids,” he said.
Nitsch took the job as the college carpentry instructor after having his own career in home building.
“I was a general contractor,” he said. “I built houses, did some remodeling. I worked at Thomas Construction before going out on my own. I didn’t have a teaching background, but I did some training at Thomas. I have a knack for communicating with people.”
Nitsch said he now holds the record for longest tenure as carpentry instructor in the Jefferson College ATS program. His predecessor pointed him to the job.
“I knew the previous instructor, Bud Miller,” he said. “He approached me and thought I’d be good at the job. He was retiring. I thought it would be a good way to give something back.”
Nitsch said he has taught students with a variety of abilities over the years.
“A lot of students in the program, their family has some kind of background in carpentry,” he said. “Even students with no knack can pick something up to go into a related field to carpentry. I’ve had some students become drywall hangers. Some have gone to work in lumber.”
He said a number of his former students have used their carpentry skills to obtain great jobs or to open their own construction companies.
One such student is Dan Lutzen, 36, of Cedar Hill, who owns and operates Grayson Homes. Lutzen, who was in the program from 1999 to 2001 while a student at Fox High School, credits Nitsch for giving him a solid foundation for entering the construction world.
“He’s definitely a great instructor,” Lutzen said. “He has a lot of patience and poise with his students. He has the tolerance to work with students.”
Nitsch said he appreciates his former students’ accomplishments.
“It is gratifying to see students go on to fulfilling careers,” he said.
Nitsch said he has enjoyed working with students, but he has found it more difficult to keep them focused on their learning over the years.
“There are challenges to keeping young people’s attention in the age of electronics,” he said. “I’m talking cell phones, Facebook and other social media. You’ve got to keep their attention.”
Nitsch and his wife, Sheba, live in Hillsboro. Their blended family includes four children.
He said he intends to stay busy in retirement and to keep his hand in carpentry instruction.
“I think I’m going to start a YouTube channel on building instruction, among other things that interest me,” he said. “I’ve got an interest in astronomy, too.”
Jefferson College President Dena McCaffrey said Nitsch has been a valued instructor.
“We are going to miss him and his leadership in our advanced carpentry program of our Area Technical School,” McCaffrey said. “These are very hard shoes to fill, to find the right individual who not only relates to high school students, but also can manage to build a house every year or two. I wish him the best.”
She said the college is in the process of seeking a replacement for Nitsch.
“We have the position posted and are looking for a qualified individual now,” McCaffrey said. “The position would start in August.”
McCaffrey said the minimum starting salary for a new faculty member at the college is $44,151 and that Nitsch’s salary for this school year is $85,823.