A Fresh Face in the Classroom

By Braylee Chaney

Pueblo County High has a new face in the shop this year. Bryan Smith is stepping in as the new instructor of  Principles of Construction. He’s excited to get to work with the Hornets.

Smith comes to PCHS with years of construction experience under his belt. It may be his first year in a classroom, but he used to be in the construction business. He said teaching felt like the perfect way to share what he’s learned. 

“The construction program is crucial for introducing students to the trades, whether they plan to pursue a career in them or simply wish to develop skills that will serve them as homeowners. There was a clear need for a strong instructor in this area, and when I saw the opportunity to fill that gap, I decided to step in. I’m passionate about shaping the future of my students, providing them with both practical skills and a solid foundation for success,” Smith said. 
Of course, being new doesn’t come without challenges,  so I asked Smith what challenges he’s faced in this school year. 

 “The biggest challenge has been creating lesson plans from scratch. Coming from the construction industry with no formal teaching experience, he said he wasn’t given much guidance from the previous teacher. “While this has been challenging, it has also been an opportunity to shape the program in a way that reflects my experience and better meets the needs of my students.” 

Beyond just building projects, Smith wants to help students build themselves up, too. “I want to ignite a passion for learning in my students by not only teaching them valuable construction skills but also encouraging them to apply those skills in other areas of their lives. I hope to inspire them to be better students overall and to see the value in what they’re learning, both in my class and beyond.”

In Principles of Construction, students learn the basics of building, from tool safety to project planning. But Smith said the class is about more than just measuring wood and hammering nails. “Construction is about building more than structures—it’s about building a mindset,” he explained.

So far, Smith has been impressed by the school’s energy. “I’m impressed by the positive culture at this school. Most of my students are eager to be here and genuinely interested in learning about construction. It’s clear that they take pride in being part of the Pueblo County Hornets community, and that sense of pride motivates me to give my best as a teacher,” he said with confidence.

With his mix of real-world know-how and fresh enthusiasm, Smith is looking forward to helping Hornets learn skills they can carry into the future—whether they go into construction or not.