When he graduated from Thompson Valley High School 20 years ago, Joshua Martin did not envision that one day he would be one of the many staff members behind the scenes keeping things running smoothly in that same school.
Yet now, as one of TSD’s two full-time carpentry team members, Josh and his teammate (who happens to be his father) do everything from hanging whiteboards in classrooms to patching roof leaks to demolishing and remodeling a culinary classroom. He also helps with the all-hands-on-deck snow removal work during the winter months.
“There’s always something that needs to be done,” Josh says. “I like knowing that I’m keeping a building in a functional state so that my kids and other kids have the opportunity to get the best quality of education they need to further their futures.”
Josh began working with his hands when he was very young, learning from his father and grandfather how to fix just about anything. His grandfather was a master woodworker, and Josh loved spending time with him, soaking in his decades of knowledge.
“My grandfather would say, ‘It’s not rocket science, just look at it and think about it and you’ll come up with an idea,’” Josh recalls. “Growing up, I was always in the garage or in the kitchen tinkering with something.”
Josh has spent most of his adult life working in different trades, whether it was part of his job or just for fun. In addition to doing mechanical work on cars, he also enjoys doing projects with and for his children, such as playhouses and sand tables.
Keeping Thompson Schools Strong, One Project at a Time
It was about a year and a half ago when Josh learned about an opening in the TSD facilities department working in carpentry — a job his dad had been doing for years.
“We work really well together,” Josh says. “It’s been a lot of fun. We help each other out depending on the job or location, or timeframe.”
For smaller jobs, Josh is responsible for work in the southern half of the district, and his dad takes care of the north half. He especially enjoys it when his job allows him to cross paths with staff and students in the buildings.
“In the elementary school classrooms, the kids always want to know what I’m doing and why I’m there,” Josh says. “They are always interested in it. Who knows, maybe it will spark an interest for someone. The time I remember the most working with my hands, that my interest was sparked, I can’t remember how old I was, but I was a little guy. I was helping my dad restore his classic car. I remember sitting in the garage helping him and learning.”
Jeremy Coy, a Building Maintenance Lead for TSD, says that Josh is a great representative for the Facilities Department and is vital to keeping the buildings up and running.
“Josh is an integral part of the maintenance team,” Jeremy says. “His reliability and prompt attention to addressing issues as they arise personify what the department strives for.”
For Josh, being the one others can count on is just part of his upbringing, and he is grateful for the opportunity to make a living doing things he loves.
“Working with my hands gives me a sense of accomplishment,” he says. “Doing a project and stepping back and looking at it and having that moment of ‘Hey, I did that with my own hands and it looks really good.’ Seeing the look on the kids’ faces and the gratification, and being proud of my work.”
