The Iola school district is mourning the loss of its building trades teacher.
Brett Dawson died unexpectedly early Monday morning because of a health issue, Superintendent Stacey Fager told school board members at a meeting later that evening.
Dawson taught the construction trades program at the Regional Rural Technology Center in LaHarpe. In the past couple of years, the district made a strong commitment to its long-time goal of building a house. Instead of building one from the ground up, though, the district purchased an older, two-story home located near the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. They moved it to a lot near Iola Middle School, and were ready to start a major remodel project.
Fager briefly talked about Dawson’s passing at Monday’s meeting. The high school was offering counseling services to students, he said.
Dawson entered education later in his life, after a career in construction, Fager said.
In a Facebook post, the district called Dawson “truly one of a kind with the biggest heart and smile you are ever going to meet. He loved his students and always demonstrated patience and understanding.
“He was a listening ear, a friend, and a safe place for his students. He found talents in students and encouraged them to push themselves.”
