Mentor helps Ridgefield students win award

Ridgefield — When Ed Greer first contacted Gary Dietderich in February 2010 about lending a hand, it was purely in his own interest — a design contest he entered awarded extra points for mentoring. He contacted Dietderich, the drafting instructor at Ridgefield High School, and has been volunteering in the classroom ever since. This year, his tutelage helped Ridgefield students win four awards at the Clark Public Utilities Fair. During class, students design houses and work on other construction projects. Eleven students finished the three plans needed to enter the contest. Although he has no teaching credentials, Greer spent more than 40 years as a land use planner and building designer. He feels that his years of experience helped prepare him to be a good tutor. “Although I’m 72 years old, I have no plans to retire,” he said