Dakota Bockenhauer

Dakota Bockenhauer is Potosi School District's Tech Ed teacher. He’s been with Potosi since 2017. Since he became the tech ed teacher, he has made an impact on many students' lives and educations in the school shop. Bockenhauer teaches a wide range of classes in which students build and create with all kinds of materials. Bockenhauer said, “I wanted to be an ag teacher and never thought I’d be teaching tech ed, but it's not a whole lot different.”

Bockenhauer knew he wanted to teach because he had some great teachers throughout his education. He knew that was what he wanted to do throughout school. Mr. Bockenhauer teaches a wide range of classes, including Woods class, structure building, metals, welding, mechanics, robotics, advanced shop, project management, and engineering design. 

One of his biggest rules of the shop is being sure everybody is safe and respectful. His favorite part about teaching is working with all of his students and helping them learn in his various tech ed classes. 

He found his passion for teaching in the Melrose-Mindoro School District. This is where he attended school, participating in trap shooting and FFA. His hometown is Mindoro, Wisconsin. Later he pursued further education at UW-River Falls. He has previously worked as a farm manager, herdsman, and beef sales representative. 

Outside of school, Dakota enjoys hunting, fishing, and anything outdoors. He usually works on the farm or at his co-owned auction company called On Point Auction Service. He has a wife and two kids. His son is in kindergarten and his daughter is in second grade. Lastly, his life motto is “Anything worth doing, is worth overdoing.”

This year will be Bockenhauer's last year at Potosi Schools. He decided to change to pursue his career goals. Bockenhauer is going to teach at UW-Platteville next fall. He has been here for seven years as a tech ed teacher. He said he had a lot of good times and memories at Potosi.