The CAVE

The Center for Academic and Vocational Excellence in Belleville Township High School District #201 is a state of the art facility designed to meet the needs of District #201 students and our community. Our facility offers in-demand vocational programs so that students can take advanced courses beyond what are offered on the main campuses. Students graduate with college credit and are ready to embark on their chosen career pathway. The CAVE is home to the district’s alternative education center and our esports studio. The CAVE is also a field house for our many sports and activities, with indoor tennis courts, an indoor turf practice field, batting cages, a dance studio, and golf simulator.

Incubator
of Leaders

VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS WE OFFER

Culinary Arts

Automotive

Welding

Machining & Metal

Carpentry & Construction

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Early Childhood Education

Coming Soon to The CAVE

Early Childhood Education

Coming Fall 2024

Aviation

Our addition to The CAVE will provide ample room for the expansion of our aviation, as well as the opportunity to grow our partnership with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.

Healthcare

The CAVE annex building will allow us to expand our healthcare course offerings and provide employable skills training while assisting our local & regional medical facilities. Our goal is to create an empowered job-ready workforce.

Advanced Business Applications

This new space will serve as an incubator for creative ideas from future business entrepreneurs and leaders. Our program will provide basic accounting, marketing, and design services for local small businesses, all while preparing students for career success!

Automation, Manufacturing, & Robotics

An expanded space will provide hands-on opportunities in these areas. Our community has several state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities currently, and this expanded program will open many doors for our students interested in this specific industry.

MEET OUR STAFF

Ryan Hampton

I have been in education for 18 years. I began building homes when I was in high school as my whole family worked in building trades. I had a great shop teacher at Waterloo high school that inspired me to teach as I assisted my classmates with their projects. I attended Illinois State University for my Construction Management and Technology Education degree. In my free time I enjoy remodeling and building new houses. My wife Natalie and I have two daughters, Nora and Grace.

Email: ryhampton@bths201.org

Ron Hampton

I am a 1988 Graduate of BTHS West and Member of Boilermakers Local 363. I have taught Welding as a vocational instructor for 8 years and have been a Welder for over 25 years. I have worked in many different types of Industrial settings including Powerhouses, Steel mills, Oil refineries and chemical plants in Illinois and Missouri. I chose the vocational area of study because I wanted to give back to the younger generation the skills and lessons that I had learned. I knew there was a need for skilled workers(welders) in the trades and what better way to pass on your experiences than to teach the future generation. In my free time I play the drums, fish, help on the farm and rebuild/repair chainsaws. I also enjoy anything to do with Aviation.

Email: rhampton@bths201.org

Jamison Klein

I received a Bachelors of Science in Career and Technical Education and a Masters of Technology from Eastern Illinois University. After graduation, I student taught at Mattoon High School and then taught for a year at East Dubuque High School before coming back home to District 201. Over the last 8 years I have taught everything from machining to welding to carpentry to electronics at both Belleville East and Belleville West. I enjoy helping students learn skills they can use in their everyday life or for a future career and look forward to the new opportunities we will be able to offer students at the CAVE.

Email: jklein@bths201.org

Natalie Czyz

I have been a teacher at District 201 for fourteen years. I graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in Career and Technical Education with an emphasis in Family and Consumer Sciences. I also graduated from Le Cordon Bleu with a certificate in Culinary Arts. I have taught all types of FCS classes, but my focus is culinary arts. I teach Culinary III at the CAVE and travel back to East to teach Culinary II. I am also the CTE department chair and am beyond excited for this state of the art CTE center. I love teaching students how to cook and to watch their passion for the culinary industry grow. My fiance and I have five dogs that keep us busy. In my free time I love traveling, trying new recipes, and finding fun new places to eat.

Email: nczyz@bths201.org

Rusty Rayburn

Upon attending Belleville East as a student in the late 90’s I was exposed to many different trades classes. My junior year I approached my automotive instructor Ted Schaal with questions related to his career. He went into every detail regarding each aspect of what I needed to do. Ted also discussed the benefits of the career as well. I remember saying to myself, “ where else can I do what I love and share the excitement with others who have the same passion.” After graduation I attended Lewis & Clark Community College and earned my Associate of Science Degree in Automotive while working at a local Chrysler dealership. Once completed, my education continued at Southern Illinois University Carbondale where I received a Bachelors of Science in Automotive while working at a Mercedes Dealership. Most recently, I have finished Pittsburg State University's Master of Science degree in Automotive Technology. I am currently in my 19th year with District 201 which consisted of fifteen years on the East campus, three years at West and now at the CAVE. I have always enjoyed helping people and as a teacher I am able to experience that everyday. I enjoy anything related to automotive, motorsports, fishing, camping, cooking and witnessing my students succeed.

Email: rrayburn@bths201.org

Toni McLeod

Email: tmcleod@bths201.org

Vocational School Photos

American Welder Society

ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL

Belleville Township High School District 201 Alternative Day Program is an educational program designed to address the physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs of at-risk students in order to successfully transition back to Belleville East or West High School or on to college or career. Classes for the Alternative Day Program are held at the Belleville Township High School District 201 Center for Academic and Vocational Excellence.