Pathways in Motion: Innovation and Opportunity at Berkshire Local Schools

The Berkshire Local School District serves a community of approximately 13,400 residents in Geauga County, Ohio, where the median household income is roughly $84,800. Situated in a rural, yet industrious landscape, the district has become a beacon for modern, hands-on education.

Recently, EnvisionEdPlus brought its Pathways in Motion Road Trip to Berkshire, inviting educators and visitors from three different schools across Ohio and Pennsylvania to witness firsthand how the district is redefining student success.

A Decade of Innovation

Nearly ten years ago, Berkshire Local Schools embarked on a transformative journey with EnvisionEdPlus to launch a district-wide Project-Based Learning (PBL) initiative. Through intensive teacher training and a unique collaboration with Inventionland Education, the district established a culture where every teacher facilitates at least four PBL units annually.

Today, that vision is fully realized in a state-of-the-art PK–12 facility adjacent to Kent State University, Geauga. The facility features:

• Creative PBL Wings: Designated spaces designed by Inventionland Education that encourage student collaboration beyond traditional classroom walls.
• Centralized Makerspace: A hub for innovation staffed by a dedicated teacher who supports “maker education” and hands-on learning for all ages. Dr.Vanessa Povozhaev shared that even the district’s preschoolers recently completed a project here!

Perspectives from the Students

A highlight of the Road Trip visit was a student panel discussion, where Berkshire High School students shared personal insights into their progress. These students spoke with passion about their work in the advanced manufacturing and diesel mechanic programs, emphasizing how excited they are to earn industry certifications that lead directly to high-paying jobs right in their own community.

Real-World Skills: Advanced Manufacturing and Diesel Mechanics

The partnership between Berkshire and EnvisionEdPlus was recently re-energized through Battelle Education’s Manufacturing Pilot Program. As one of only ten recipients of funding from the Walton Family Foundation, Berkshire has successfully incubated an advanced manufacturing pathway. Using grant funds, the district purchased the Amatrol Industry 4.0 curriculum and trainers, and students are in the early stages of building their skills to prepare for high-paying jobs in advanced manufacturing and engineering.  

The district also collaborated with Preston Auto Group, Ford Motor Company, and other area partners to create a workforce development center right down the road from the high school. Preston gifted the district $750,000 to purchase the acreage, while the district and other partners funded building renovations that transformed a deserted facility in Burton Village into high-tech workshops and classrooms within walking distance from three Preston auto dealerships.  Each day, high school students are bused down the road where they learn the Ford Automotive Career Exploration (ACE) program directly from a Preston-provided instructor, supported by a Berkshire para-professional. Students don’t just study theory. Each day, they also work side-by-side in the field with professional mechanics and technicians. Work-based learning doesn’t get much better than developing skills like welding and commercial vehicle repair in a professional environment.

What’s Next?

Berkshire is not slowing down. As they enter the second year of the advanced manufacturing pathway, the district is refining its program to maximize student impact. Furthermore, after a decade of success, the district is currently seeking grant funding for a “PBL refresh” to ensure its staff remains at the cutting edge of innovative instruction. The district is gearing up to pilot the “Badger Bay Service” this spring, where district employees can schedule time to bring their cars to the workforce development center to be serviced by BHS students under the supervision of their instructors and mentors. How cool is that? 

Through the support of EnvisionEdPlus and committed partners like Ford, Preston Auto, and Inventionland Education, Berkshire students aren’t just preparing for the future—they are building it.