Bartlett H.S. teacher wins state award

Most people don’t know much about drafting, but the results of this specialized skill surround us.

Mechanical drawing is used to create precise directions for creating complex machinery — from automobiles to computers — that can be replicated from those drawings anywhere in the world.

As such, it is an essential if relatively arcane skill, which is why you’ll find drafting classes at most large high schools.

Jerry Hund has taught drafting at Bartlett High School since 1999. During his tenure, Hund’s students passed the Illinois Drafting Educator’s Association exam every year and placed first in the state in architecture/computer-aided design in 2002 and 2005, according to Bartlett High School.

Because of that track record, the Drafting Educator’s Association has named Hund its 2010 Illinois Drafting Teacher of the Year.

Hund hasn’t always been a teacher. In fact, a large part of his success may be attributed to the 25 years he spent working in the drafting field. During those years, he served as a product designer for S-K Tools, a pinball game designer and an architect’s apprentice.

Bartlett Principal Kevin Skinkis, said Hund is “very deserving” of the award.

Hund, who also teaches interior design at the College of DuPage, is the second Bartlett High School teacher to win the Drafting Educator’s Association teacher of the year award. Gary Goble was honored in 2000.