Alum Spike Gralewski, one of the instructors for the Spartan Manufacturing program, is empowering students and the next generation of industry professionals.

Spartan Manufacturing operates as a capstone course in the technical education department, offering students the opportunity to run a manufacturing business working on projects with the industry and community. The course provides students with applicable skills as they enter the workforce.

With an interest in trades, Gralewski graduated college with a Mechanical Engineering degree. After entering the field, he decided he wanted to do his own thing and began building websites, along with substitute teaching.

Through substitute teaching, Gralewski found a passion working with students and became certified to teach technical education, math, and science. The process of becoming certified led to him being placed as a student teacher alongside technical instructor Adam Kuhlman.

“I got an email that they were looking to place some student teachers at the high school and I knew that some of our teachers were getting close to retirement age, so I said I will take on a student teacher,” Kuhlman said.

Right away Kuhlman realized that Gralewski had a passion to make learning in the classroom better for the students.

“He is pretty tech savvy, he kind of had a different way of doing things than I did. He is almost a generation younger than me, which made me re-evaluate the way I was doing things. The department improved once he got here,” Kuhlman said.

After completing his teaching certification, Gralewski felt right at home coming back to Superior.

“Having gone here, I felt good about giving back to the community I’ve grown up in,” Gralewski said.

Not only has he given back to the community, but he has also been able to give back to his students. He has done this through the acquisition of new equipment and tools by connecting the industry and community within the school’s tech-ed department.

“He is always coming up with new ideas to improve the shop. He has been a strong advocate for the tech-ed department working to bring in equipment… He has completely transformed the shop from what it was just two years ago,” said senior Jack Milliken.

Through the creation of Spartan Manufacturing, Gralewski has helped open doors for students entering the manufacturing field to have one step ahead.

“It’s brought a lot of positive attention to our program and our students, allowing a few students to get job opportunities, and their school paid for after high school,” said Gralewski.

One of Gralewski’s former students, Linden Johnson, is getting just that. Exodus Global, a manufacturing company based out of Superior, is paying for Johnson to attend Northwood Tech as a student learning welding, as he works in the company’s warehouse.

“I got a text message from Mr. G (Gralewski) saying there was an opportunity at Exodus. Once I finish school I am going to take a welding certification test and become a welder at the company,” said Johnson.

Gralewski and the Spartan Manufacturing helped prepare Johnson for this opportunity.

“The class helped me get the feel of a real manufacturing business and experience going forward,” said Johnson.

Gralewski has enjoyed running the program with colleague Kuhlman, but has found one part the most enjoyable.

“The best part has been building positive relationships with my students,” said Gralewski.

Kuhlman has enjoyed getting to know Gralewski better as they grow as professionals together.

“Anytime you do something you reflect on it, he does a lot of reflecting. We have lots of conversations about what went good and what went bad for both of us,” said Kuhlman.

Now that Spartan Manufacturing has been established as a course, Gralewski is not stopping there.

“Spartan Manufacturing has given us a clear vision for the future of our department. The goal would be to add emerging technologies to our area to better serve our students and community,” said Gralewski.

To learn more about Spartan Manufacturing visit spartanmfg.org or read about Spartan Manufacturing supporting the community, or the community supporting Spartan Manufacturing.