Over the summer months, MITA began a recruitment for new instructors to teach our various programs. It was with regret that we accepted the resignation of Instructor Patrick Justus who accepted a full-time high school construction teacher position at Oceanside High School. This was a dream for him, but a loss for MITA. Patrick spent three years helping us to initiate new masonry classes, facilitate two of our apprentice programs, and teach masonry seminars and workshops in area high schools. He will definitely be missed by our apprentices, masonry students and MITA. It is always a challenge to recruit new teachers, but we have been blessed to find new instructors that seem up to the task of raising awareness of the trade, and to turn out high quality mason apprentices. They are as follows:
Miguel Gonzalez, or “Mr. G,” as the apprentices and students call him, will continue his work not only in heading up our Ontario Apprentice program, but also serving as a masonry construction teacher for Ontario High School. Miguel is a graduate of the MITA Apprentice program. He teaches masonry at Ontario High School during the day in a pre-apprenticeship construction class, and the apprentices at night through a partnership with Chaffey Adult School. The high school program is the only one in our region offering masonry instruction.
Bruce Halverson will head up our Escondido Apprentice program. Bruce has over 40 years of experience in the trade of masonry. Over the years he started a masonry division, a company, and worked as a field superintendent throughout Southern and Northern California, Arizona, and Utah. In addition, he was responsible for training apprentices throughout his career.
Brian Rodriguez will head up our Moreno Valley Apprentice program and was part of the MITA Apprentice program in Ontario from 2014 to 2016 before he moved from the area and began a career as a firefighter. He returned to our area and began to work as a mason with GBC Concrete and Masonry and has since been promoted to the position of Concrete & Masonry Estimator. He is excited to teach apprentices and help them build confidence in themselves and the trade.
Taylen Immortal will teach our 60-hour masonry class in partnership with the California Family Life Center. Taylen has been in the trade since he was 9 years old working with his father. He was an apprentice at 18 and a journeyman mason at 20. He went on to become a Foreman with GBC Concrete & Masonry and was promoted to Superintendent at 31. He says it is a privilege to be part of the development of others and to have the opportunity to learn from others.
April Ruiz stepped in and helped us host one Summer Masonry Bootcamp in July. She loved teaching high school students, and we plan to have her assist us with our high school seminars and workshops. April graduated from the MITA Apprentice program in 2020. After graduating as a Journeyman Mason, she laid block for 3 years before being promoted to Foreman for Majestic Masonry. April is proud to be in the industry and is in a bricklayer family with her husband as a graduate of the Apprentice program as well.
Kevin Edgecomb will teach our brand new 60-hour masonry class with the Riverside County Probation Department. Kevin has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry both working in and on various projects and supervising others. Kevin worked with his dad as a youngster in Boston and has 15 years of experience with the BAC Local 4 Bricklayer Apprentice program. He has been where the kids are at in this program and he feels he can be a realistic and positive role model for them.