Tradeworking is an industry that will never die, and Minnetonka High School has classes that expose students to the life of trade early on. While the Home Renovation and Maintenance program is popular, classes like Metals I-III and Woodworking often get overlooked. Metals I students work on three different projects, in which they explore the three types of welding—MIG, ARC, and Oxyacetylene—and then learn how to make a metal toolbox from sheet metal. These projects teach them how to read from blueprints and work with dimensions, use the lathe, and create a center punch. Metals II and III are more independent style classes where you can create anything you desire, building on the skills learned in Metals I. Woodworking offers students the opportunity to learn how to make cutting boards and wooden boxes, and use tools like a bandsaw, disk sander, and table saw.

If you have taken either of these classes you have probably met the great Dave Kitzmann—occasionally known to students as Kitty—who has been teaching at MHS for 16 years and will be wrapping up his journey here in June. When you first walk into a room full of scary machines, it can be intimidating, but with Kitzmann’s guidance, those fears go away instantly. Kitzmann creates a comfortable environment for his students where they feel they can express themselves and their ambitions. No matter the project, he is always there to help his students with the big ideas and the little details; he’s even made additions to the classrooms with tool holders and guards for the wood lathes.

Kitzmann’s impact goes far beyond the workshop, as he has fostered connections with and inspired many. Brock Reitan, ‘26, says, “Kitty is my favorite teacher at this school by a long shot. He gives me all the freedom I desire to complete literally anything I want to create. For example, I’m making Damascus steel using a forge. That sentence would be completely insane at any other school. Not only is he great as a teacher, he’s a friend to all of his students. I often find myself lost in conversation with him talking about the most random things. It’s going to be so incredibly different here next year without him.” Levi Roach, ‘25, says, “I have never felt more comfortable talking to a teacher than Mr. Kitzmann. Every day that I come into metals class I look forward to talking to him and seeing what he has planned for the day. He’s always offering words of encouragement; whether it be a weld that you did or something that you made, he was always there to give encouraging and helpful tips. Class was always a blast [with him] and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”