The tradition of passing the trowel trades from one generation of BAC craftworkers to the next is thriving, thanks to 16 new graduates from IMI/IMTEF’s Instructor Certification Program (ICP).
Through immersive courses, peer learning, and hands-on practice, ICP prepares BAC instructors – all masters of their craft – to carry out the Union’s renowned training programs. The 200-hour certification spans five years, culminating in a capstone portfolio that showcases their ability to design and deliver instruction effectively.
This year’s graduates were honored at an awards ceremony on November 6 at the John J. Flynn BAC/IMI International Training Center, surrounded by their peers, the BAC Executive Board, and IMI/IMTEF leadership.
“To all of the instructors in the room – you are the face of IMI, IMTEF, and the Union for all of the apprentices and craftworkers who come in for training,” said Caryn Halifax, IMI/IMTEF President, during the event.
Tim Driscoll, BAC President, thanked the instructors for their dedication and emphasized that what sets the Union and its training programs apart is not only the strength that comes from members standing together for fair work, respect, and opportunity, but also the support members show one another on and off the job. “As instructors, your engagement of apprentices brings people along in our trade – but more importantly, in their lives,” he said.
Graduates shared how ICP has shaped them not only as teachers, but as leaders, mentors, and stewards of BAC’s standards of craftsmanship. The reflections that follow highlight their journeys and the pride they take in preserving the trade and carrying it forward for future generations.
REFLECTIONS FROM THE 2025 CLASS OF CERTIFIED TROWEL TRADES INSTRUCTORS
MENTORING THE NEXT GENERATION
“Having instructors who have been through ICP is crucial for the success of our apprentices and the future of our union. Going through ICP has given me the knowledge and skills to help guide our apprentices through all the stages of their careers. I’m with them from the beginning and through all life’s challenges, supporting them as they become journeyworkers and good union members – and as they advance in their careers.”
Andy Hanrahan, BAC Local 3 NY Apprentice Coordinator
“I’m honored to be a part of this group of professionals who care so much about the future of the trade and who take great pride in helping their students become the best version of themselves. Being a certified instructor isn’t just a title. It’s a very important role that I value deeply. I look forward to mentoring and making a positive difference for years to come.”
Casey Midstokke, BAC Local 1 OR/WA/ID/MT
Fort Simcoe Job Corps Bricklaying Instructor
“I’ve always known teaching apprentices is important, but ICP made me realize it goes beyond showing someone how to lay brick or point a joint. Being a mentor means you’re shaping the next generation – not just their skills, but their attitude, confidence, and pride in the trade. These are the future members of our union, and the way we guide them now will affect them for their whole careers.”
Sonny Hibbs, Local 15 MO/KS/NE PCC Instructor
READYING STUDENTS FOR THE JOBSITE
“Preparing students for the workforce goes beyond just teaching them how to set tile. It’s about developing the right mindset, work ethic, and professional skills that will help them succeed in any job site or career path they choose. In my classroom, I focus on more than just technical training – I emphasize responsibility, teamwork, and the real-world expectations of the construction industry.”
Adrian Hernandez, Local 4 CA
Inland Empire Job Corps Center Tile Setting Instructor
TEACHING THE NEXT GENERATION
“It’s been a dream of mine for many years to become an apprentice instructor for the masonry trades. I always loved helping our apprentices and mentoring them on the jobsite. It’s an honor for me to be chosen for this position at my local. I enjoy building apprentices’ confidence, providing reassurance, and watching them develop their eye for masonry.”
Scott Fromm, Local 1 OR/WA/ID/MT Training Coordinator
“Active listening, good communication, and redirecting are 3 areas that stand out to me from my ICP training. These tools are very useful in helping students navigate their day-to-day, including on weekends and off hours. Being an instructor has put me in the perfect position to reach more young men and women and help them reach their potential.”
Scottie Jenkins, ADC NJ
Edison Job Corps Center Bricklaying Instructor
BUILDING SOLIDARITY AND COMMUNITY
“I want the apprentices in my charge to know that they are part of something much larger than one local, one school, or one crew. They are part of a craft with deep history and a future that depends on their willingness to learn, adapt, and pass it on. If ICP has taught me anything, it’s that the brotherhood and sisterhood of masonry can weather any storm when we stay true to each other and to the trade we love.
Domonic Espinoza, Local 1 OR/WA/ID/MT Brick Instructor
“The heart of instruction lies not in the content itself, but in the relationships we forge – between instructor and student, among peers, and across a network of mentors. Looking back, the greatest lesson I learned in ICP was how to guide diverse learners, nurture their confidence, and build a community that outlasts any single class.”
Eddie Nailon IV, Local 4 CA
San Diego Job Corps Bricklaying Instructor
CREATING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH GOOD UNION JOBS
“The union is a vital part of my life, and it provides very well for myself and my family. If I can help teach our trade and instill good union values into young men and women, I can give them the same opportunity I had. Being an instructor has changed me in so many ways. I knew I wanted to give back, but ICP has taught me how to do it properly and more efficiently.”
Dwayne Borowski, Local 5 PA Coordinator/Instructor
GAINING THE TECHNICAL SKILLS TO TEACH
“ICP was instrumental in helping me master how to present material and lead a classroom. I learned how to keep an audience engaged and interested. The technology classes taught me to better prepare for the classes I teach, whether by creating a PowerPoint presentation, an interactive quiz, or a lesson plan. ICP has made me a better instructor and given me the confidence to prepare and present classes to benefit my students.”
Don Schuch, ADC 1 IL PCC Instructor
“ICP gave me several instructional breakthroughs. The sessions on adult learning theory and communication completely reframed how I approach the classroom. I learned new strategies to keep learners engaged, how to identify and respond to learning differences, and how to adapt my style without compromising standards. I also began structuring my training blocks more effectively, incorporating better assessments and clearer objectives. The tools helped me be more intentional – and as a result, the outcomes of our training programs have improved.”
John Slama, Local 1 MN/ND/SD Manager of Operations
“When I started ICP, I remember looking around the classroom at the instructors from across the country and realizing what a great organization I was a part of. I applied what I learned in ICP back in my shop right away, working hard to give structure to my instruction and to design my own lessons. ICP enabled me to become more comfortable and confident with both classroom instruction and curriculum implementation.”
Mike Mulligan, Local 1 MD/VA/DC
John J. Flynn BAC/IMI International Training Center Brick Instructor
LEARNING FROM THOSE WHO TEACH
“Through ICP, I gained knowledge of different instructional methods and coaching techniques. I listened to all of my colleague’s experiences as instructors and picked up new ideas from every person I spoke with. Each year of my ICP training and interaction with my peers helped me to become a better instructor.”
Jorge Godinez-Lopez, Local 1 CT PCC Instructor
“ICP was an incredible journey that came and went like a dream. I consider myself blessed to have had the opportunity to meet some amazing friends, instructors, and brothers who will forever be an influence on me. To be chosen as an IMI instructor is better than hitting the lottery and an opportunity I will never take for granted.”
Tom Tagliarini, Local 23 OH/WV/KY/MD
Cleveland Job Corps Center Bricklaying Instructor
ACHIEVING A CAREER CAPSTONE
ICP has changed me profoundly. As a tuckpointer, I used to measure success by the integrity of my joints and the endurance of my walls. Now, I judge it by the growth and confidence of my students. The program made me more reflective about my teaching methods. It pushed me to consider not just what I was teaching, but how and why. Personally, it heightened my sense of responsibility – to my union, to my students, and to the craft I love.”
Willie Douglas III, ADC 1 IL PCC Instructor
“As a bricklayer of 40 years, becoming a certified IMI instructor is the top achievement in my career. This experience has enabled me to mentor and teach the next generation of bricklayers. As I reflect over the years since I first put a trowel in my hand until now, it amazes me. I clearly would not have been able to achieve these goals without the patience and mentoring from all the journeyworkers, foremen, superintendents, or instructors that believed in me. Through their knowledge and time spent with me on the job or in the classroom, I am now better equipped to pass this knowledge to our future generations”
Scott Ansel Local 23 OH/WV/KY/MD Brick Instructor
Congratulations to the 2025 class of IMI/IMTEF Certified Trowel Trades Instructors!
