Huntsville, Texas — On September 19, Windham School District’s Huntsville campus hosted its first construction careers skills demonstration using lab materials provided by industry partner, Paxton/Patterson. The demonstration was followed by the East Texas Regional Business and Industry meeting, where representatives of Paxton/Patterson discussed in-depth how their labs can further enhance Windham’s career and technical education (CTE) offerings.
During the demonstration, William Smith — 2025-2026 CTE Teacher of the Year and recipient of the Lane Murray Excellence in Teaching Award — led his Introduction to Construction Careers students in showcasing their skills in electrical work, plumbing, blueprint reading and hand tool operation. The audience included CTE instructors, East Texas campus principals and representatives from Paxton/Patterson.
The students began by watching an instructional video, then collaborated to problem-solve, communicate and use various tools to complete their assigned lab. Throughout the demonstration, they engaged with attendees by answering questions, reinforcing their understanding and applying what they were actively learning in real time.
“This type of event gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to process instructional content and apply it to real-world construction tasks,” Smith said. “The video-based instruction is especially valuable. It allows multiple student teams to explore different topics simultaneously, while supporting their learning with the most current and relevant information available.”
Known for their hands-on, problem-based approach, Paxton/Patterson designs real-world college and career preparation labs that enhance classroom instruction. Their model combines short video modules with interactive components, allowing educators to tailor learning experiences to meet specific skill needs and student goals.
“Our programs are just a tool in the hands of skilled practitioners — the possibilities are unlimited,” Paxton/Patterson representative Justin Wilkinson said. “Our programs provide students with a bright and clear path to career-connection and opportunity. It is very powerful.”
Following the demonstration, one student was selected to share their thoughts on the labs. The student said that the video component, which information technology (IT) uploads onto laptops for the students, is very useful for those who may not get a clear picture from reading the textbook.
The Huntsville campus is one of two Windham campuses selected to pilot the Paxon/Patterson construction careers lab. It is the first, and most active, campus lab utilizing these materials in the classroom. Windham plans to implement the Paxton/Patterson labs within more CTE classrooms in the future.
Through its collaboration with Paxton/Patterson, the district is advancing educational excellence by embracing innovative, future-focused learning. With a strong commitment to modernized teaching practices, this partnership is designed to create lasting, positive outcomes for students and educators alike.
“Windham is a partner, not a client,” Wilkinson said. “[The district’s] size and leadership in education make it a powerful influence, and we’re confident this collaboration will help expand our impact nationwide. We’re excited about the opportunity to grow this partnership across more Windham campuses in the near future.”
ABOUT WINDHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
Windham School District (Windham) provides academic, career and technical education and life skills programs to eligible students within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). With 101 campuses located in prison facilities across Texas, Windham strives to equip students with the necessary education and skills to progress to postsecondary education programs and successfully reenter the workforce within their communities. As supported by the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, this article includes utilizing person-first language. The district uses terms such as “student” and “graduate,” to describe people incarcerated in TDCJ facilities, building the foundation for personal and professional growth. For media or partnership inquiries, please contact Danielle Nicholes, Communications Administrator, at danielle.nicholes@wsdtx.org.