In Grayslake District 127, hands-on learning isn’t just encouraged, it’s celebrated. Few embody that spirit more fully than Chris Ellingsen, a 16-year metals and manufacturing teacher at Grayslake Central High School whose passion for teaching has quietly captured national attention.
This fall, Ellingsen will represent Grayslake at the SparkForce Awards Gala as a nominee for the Future of Industry Award—a national honor that has traditionally recognized postsecondary institutions. His nomination shines a light on the kind of real-world, student-centered learning that sets D127 apart.
“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.”
For the past three summers, Ellingsen has welcomed middle schoolers into his lab for SparkForce-supported manufacturing camps. Campers build everything from lightsabers to welded fire pits, learning not just how to use tools but how to see themselves in a future career.
“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.”
That sense of relevance drives Ellingsen’s teaching. Years ago, when students weren’t exactly thrilled about turning a chess piece on the lathe, he spotted a better hook. The Chicago Blackhawks were winning the Stanley Cup, and inspiration struck.
“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.
That mindset carries into every project. When one student was too young to be placed in an internship program, he joined an independent study with Mr. Ellingsen instead, where the student used his time to design and machine a custom wrench holder for his workbench using the school’s CNC mill.
“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.”
Ellingsen’s classes don’t just teach technical skills—they offer students space to explore, experiment, and connect what they’re learning to the world beyond high school. His welding, metalworking, and Geometry in Construction classes at Grayslake Central High School are consistently full. And they thrive thanks to a district-wide commitment to protecting and expanding these learning opportunities.
“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.”
The impact reaches beyond school walls. Former students have gone on to careers in aerospace, supply chain, and skilled trades. Some return as guest speakers or internship mentors, helping the next wave of students see what’s possible.
“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?”
As Grayslake looks ahead to the October gala, the district is proud to stand behind Mr. Ellingsen and all educators who bring learning to life every day. Their work doesn’t just prepare students for jobs. It prepares them for purpose.