University of Arizona Athletics

Ken Towers has been a teacher at Flowing Wells High School for 27 years and says Flowing Wells is not just a job, but also a way of life.  He owes any and all success to co-workers, administration and especially to his students.  It is their efforts that keep him going.

Ken has a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education from Northern Arizona University.

For the past 26 years, Ken’s woodshop students have designed and built toys that are donated to the needy at Christmas.  His students have built over 5000 wooden toys through the years and donated them to Casa de Los Ninos, U.S. Marines toy drive, Flowing Wells Community Effort Counsel and to all of the Flowing Wells elementary school Family Resource Centers.  Building toys for donations at Christmas brings volunteerism into his classroom.  Each student in his classes is required to volunteer outside the classroom in order to graduate.  After completing the toy, the students swell up with pride over their efforts to the community.  Ken’s high school students “buddy up” with a kindergartner and they work together to build five projects, culminating with a toolbox.  It is unbelievably gratifying to see a high schooler taking care of and being completely responsible for their “little buddy.”  

Ken teaches his students to understand “soft” skills needed in the workplace.  Ken feels cooperative learning and teamwork are just as important as technical skills to succeed and climb the ladder of success one step at a time in the workplace.  

Students learn to be responsible for themselves, especially with regard to personal safety in the shop and learn to take care of their “little buddy.”

Ken teaches to the individual, not to the class; his presence in the classroom provides for a positive feeling tone and he cares about students personally as well as academically.

His principal has said, "Ken is one of the most hard- working, intellectually-gifted, and thoughtful people I have had the pleasure of knowing."

Ken Tower High School: Flowing Wells H.S.