“I got into education while I was still in high school,” she said. “I served as a physical education pupil instructor, or PEPI, where I supported elementary students with special needs.”

This confirmed for her that education was where she belonged. After working at several schools closely with students, families and other teachers to ensure students had access to the services and support they needed, Fux felt led to go into school leadership.

Awarded a scholarship through the NC Principal Fellows Program at NC State University, she became an assistant principal at Lee County High School and later transitioned to Cape Fear High School.

“The idea for Cape Fear Pipeline Academy came directly from the needs of our students and school community,” she said. “While Cape Fear High School is a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, with many strong academic programs, I noticed a gap when it came to trade and hands-on career pathways.”

As she had seen through the years, many students don’t thrive in the traditional academic setting.

“They still need a reason to believe in themselves and feel connected to school,” said Fux. “Growing up in a blue-collar family, I saw first-hand how skilled trades can provide stability, pride and opportunity and that perspective stayed with me.”

Fux started the program with the support of her husband, who is a licensed plumber as well as a plumbing instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College, and Principal Dr. Jason Jordan, all with the shared understanding that this was truly for the students.

“I put out a student interest application through social media, flyers and teacher referrals,
especially in hands-on classes like agriculture.”

“The goal was never just to teach plumbing,” said Fux. “It was about showing students what’s possible—helping them see a future where their talents, interests, and hard work lead to real opportunities.”

The response was well received with Fux receiving 22 applications, all of which she accepted.

“Once interest was there, everything else followed,” she said. “Community partners stepped up, industry professionals volunteered, and resources began to align; it truly became a community effort.”

The ability to offer experiences like this is beneficial, especially since after the first session of this class there are already two students enrolled in FTCC courses.

“The Academy directed them smoothly into a high school connection and into college for free,” she said.

Looking ahead, the plan is to run the academy during the fall semester, and to begin with plumbing and continuing on from there.

For the spring semester, the plan is to offer shorter workshops and mini-sessions in various trades like plumbing, electrical, HVAC and even beekeeping.

“The goal was never just to teach plumbing,” said Fux. “It was about showing students what’s possible—helping them see a future where their talents, interests, and hard work lead to real opportunities.”

It looks like this Bright Ideas grant started this program off on a good path with interested students, and highly invested educators.

“Students were excited by the hands-on learning, real tools, real professionals and the opportunity to do something different from a traditional classroom,” said Fux. “Once the program started,
interest grew even more, but I intentionally kept the initial group small to build a strong foundation and culture from the beginning.”

That foundation looks to be solid and with continued support and interest, will continue to grow.