Tim Bale newest asset to South bend staff

Tim Bale

SOUTH BEND - Lifetime Pacific County resident Tim Bale has joined South Bend School district as the only new hire for the 2023-24 academic year. Bale, who said he has "lived in the Raymond area my entire life," was hired last spring for the Career & Technical Education (CTE) department. He has experience in and will instruct welding, fabrication, metal shop, and horticulture, and he will be the new welding/metals/horticulture teacher, according to South Bend Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Tienhaara.

"My commitment to learning is a driving force in my life, and I am dedicated to applying the knowledge I acquire to develop practical tools and projects,"Bale told the Herald. "My career spans multiple trades, including residential and heavy construction, civil engineering and surveying. I am excited to be able to share this knowledge with the students of South Bend schools. I firmly believe hands-on, project-based learning is the ideal preparation for entering the workforce, equipping students with practical skills and real-world experience."

Bale was most recently employed by the Pacific County Dept. of Public Works. Prior to that, he worked for several companies, including Berglund Schmidt Engineers (Aberdeen), Quigg Bros. (Aberdeen), and Westport Shipyard. He also currently runs Bale Farms. "I enjoy outdoor recreation, including boating and working on the family farm," he added.

Dr. Tienhaara told the Herald, "With Tim Bale joining us, we're taking our career and technical education to the next level. His real-world skills and understanding of various trades will allow our students to get the kind of education that leads to needed skills for a variety of industries. We're thrilled to welcome Tim Bale to our team. His hands-on experience in welding, metal fabrication, construction, engineering, and computer-aided design will be a real asset. He knows how to connect theory to practice, something that will benefit our students greatly."

Bale comes to South Bend with extensive experience in a variety of industries. "Mr. Bale brings expertise in civil engineering, welding, metal fabrication, computer-aided design (CAD), and various construction experience - all skills valuable in helping to prepare students with the skills needed to pursue the industry workforce or post-secondary training," Tienhaara added. "His skills and experience will be instrumental in achieving our vision for the CTE program, ultimately providing our students with robust learning opportunities that directly translate to real-world applications."

Dr. Tienhaara has always believed in hiring a wide range of quality opportunities for his students. "Personally, I see our CTE programs as a critical pathway for students. We need to rethink what has been traditional education and develop quality vocational programs that work alongside the university path, with the goal of developing all student interests and abilities. The eventual goal is that our students will design, make, and market products such as custom fire pits, outdoor furniture, custom signs, and other products that align with our vocational instruction. This hands-on learning strategy reinforces technical skills while encouraging entrepreneurship and the development of marketable products. We have the equipment, now we need to put everything together."