Ben Barkey visits students at Madison Elementary School just to say hello. He has since moved to Warsaw Area Career Center as the facility’s director. He loves interacting with students of all ages. Photo provided by Ben Barkey.
By Laurie Lechlitner
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — “I’m a Warsaw native,” stated Ben Barkey. “I went to school in Warsaw and graduated from Warsaw High School in 1997. I went on to teach in the Warsaw School Corporation.
“When I taught middle school students, I sought to give them a love of learning and a way to harness their energy. In elementary, we concentrate on helping students read and write. But there’s nothing so satisfying than to watch a high school student begin the path to their future career. Whether it be in cosmetology, nursing, bio medical, manufacturing or any other career path, these students are passionate about learning. They want to be in the classroom.”
Barkey is starting his third year as director of the Warsaw Area Career Center.
With a passion for biology and math, Barkey concentrated on these subjects his freshman and sophomore years at Manchester University.
“Each summer during college I was a counselor at Camp Mack for kids in fifth and sixth grades and loved it. I attended camp there myself growing up and met my wife Dani there. In my junior and senior years at Manchester, I added education to my degree.”
He went on to earn a master’s degree in administration at Ball State. He got his Ed.S. from Fort Hayes State, Kansas. After he finishes his dissertation, he will earn a Ph.D. from Indiana State University.
“I enjoy my continuing education that equips me to serve in a variety of roles. As a teacher I was able to combine my love of science and math with working with kids. I started my career at Edgewood Middle School. I was assistant principal at WCHS and head principal at Madison Elementary. I was an Instruction STEM coach at Washington Elementary.”
Now that Barkey is director of WACC he wears many hats. “As the building principal I work with parents and students and visit classrooms. I’m also in charge of the administrative work that goes on.
“When I put on my community hat, I represent the career center to area businesses and corporations. I find out what these companies are looking for in employees. I also survey what kind of machinery they use. Our machinery at the career center is very expensive. My job is to make sure it’s current and up to date. These are the machines and equipment students will be using in the workplace.”
WACC works closely with Ivy Tech and Vincennes University. “Some of our students are earning college credit in fields such as nursing, medicine, and engineering. They will require further education to begin their professional careers.”
Experience and hands-on learning is what WACC is all about. “Our work-based learning program offers practical experience. Students in the building trades construct custom homes for community members. Culinary arts students manage their own restaurant. Welding students practice welding and mechanics work on vehicle repairs.”
Still, his favorite part of the job is working directly with the students. “Although I work through the summer months, my favorite time is when the students come back to the classroom.”
He and Dani have a son Dylan who is going to Ball State. Their daughter Ali is a senior at WCHS and a student at WACC studying interior design.
“Our students experience real life application. This gives them the skills they need in their future professions.”
