Kevin “Teach” Baas has become one of the most notorious metalworkers of this generation. He is nationally known for his buildings but also for his impressive achievements as a shop teacher. Between Bloomington and Lakeville, in Minnesota, Baas’ 26 years career as an educator highlights a custom motorcycle displayed in the Harley-Davidson museum in Milwaukee Wisconsin, the Fox 9 Top teacher award in 2015, and an award as an Invited Builder at the Born-Free Show, in California. Kevin’s passion for teaching kids hands-on skills and helping the future of fabrication runs deep in his blood. Son of a sheet metal worker and motorcycle aficionado, he learned early in life the power of inspiration, mentorship and hard work.
Today, recognized and supported by giants of the market such as Baileigh Industrial, Kevin Baas fights to keep his students motivated and engaged through distance learning, result of the covid-19 pandemic. The kids learn the concept virtually and design the parts at home, Baas cuts their creations with their CNC in the school shop, and the students can pick up at the shop’s curb.
AJ Preachuk, a senior at Lakeville North High School, says that his last three years at Baas’ class helped him to be more creative and to learn the power of “making cool projects together”, referring to the diversity and camaraderie of the students in his class. During the shutdown, AJ did a metal Knight sign with Kevin’s help, for which he is proud of.
Along with his wife Amy, Kevin opened a shop where they run a couple businesses – Little Fish Designs and Baas Metal Craft/ Vintage Bike Addiction. They create artistic masterpieces from steel and reclaimed wood that are sold mostly online. Kevin is part of an exclusive group of metal shapers who are changing the boundaries of what can be done with metal fabrication and education.
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