Quantcast

Lake County Gazette

Monday, October 20, 2025

Grayslake teacher Chris Ellingsen receives national recognition for hands-on manufacturing education

Webp ko

Mikkel Storaasli, Ed.D. Superintendent | Grayslake Community High School District 127

Mikkel Storaasli, Ed.D. Superintendent | Grayslake Community High School District 127

Chris Ellingsen, a metals and manufacturing teacher at Grayslake Central High School, has been nominated for the national Future of Industry Award at the SparkForce Awards Gala. Ellingsen, who has taught in the district for 16 years, is recognized for his hands-on approach to teaching and his efforts to make manufacturing careers accessible to students.

“I don’t do this for the recognition, but it’s always nice to know that people see the value in it,” Ellingsen said. “This nomination is affirmation that I’m doing the right things and that industries and our community are taking notice.”

Ellingsen has led summer manufacturing camps for middle school students over the past three years, with support from SparkForce. During these camps, participants build projects such as lightsabers and welded fire pits while learning about career opportunities in manufacturing.

“We’re trying to get students before high school to understand they can pursue all kinds of careers in manufacturing,” Ellingsen explained. “There are great jobs, right here in Lake County. We want them to try it on and see if it fits.”

He adapts his curriculum based on student interests. For example, he replaced a traditional chess piece project with making miniature Stanley Cups when he noticed declining interest in chess among students.

“We used to make chess pieces—fine projects, but not many kids were playing chess anymore. So I swapped it out for a miniature Stanley Cup. Same tools, same process, just more excitement. Suddenly, they were all in. That one change made it feel relevant,” he said.

Ellingsen encourages independent study projects tailored to student needs and interests. One student designed and machined a custom wrench holder using the school’s CNC mill as part of an independent study after being too young for an internship program.

“He saw it from ‘I have a need,’ from concept, prototyping, and finished product,” said Ellingsen. “That student choice is powerful. It’s what flips the switch for so many kids.”

His classes—including welding, metalworking, and Geometry in Construction—are consistently full at Grayslake Central High School due to ongoing district support for these programs.

“We’ve held onto this space and we’ve grown it,” he said of the workshop and equipment. “Our facilities are strong, our classes are full, and we’re constantly evolving our projects to keep students engaged. It’s turned an elective into a program kids are lining up to take.”

Former students have pursued careers in aerospace, supply chain management, and skilled trades; some return as guest speakers or mentors.

“You’re going to work for the next 50 years—you better like what you’re doing,” Ellingsen tells his students. “Why not try things out now while you’re in high school and figure out what you love?”

Grayslake Community High School District 127 includes both Grayslake Central High School and Grayslake North High School within Lake County (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district employs 195 teachers with an average salary of $79,647; nearly 60 percent are women (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). Student demographics show 58.5 percent White enrollment alongside Hispanic (25 percent), Asian (7.2 percent), and Black (4.3 percent) populations (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020, per-student spending was $31,874 with total expenditures reaching $88 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

As Ellingsen prepares for October’s gala event, district leaders express pride in educators who provide practical learning experiences that connect classroom lessons with future careers.

Their work doesn’t just prepare students for jobs. It prepares them for purpose.