“I love to see kids succeed and create an interest in something they may have not been exposed to in the past. Students tend not to know where their academic classes are going to come into play in their life and in my class they get to apply it in real-life scenarios in the classroom … Continued
“In my classroom, I want students to feel successful. I want to help them acquire skills and a work ethic that they can take back to their home communities.” Keith Baker teaches Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing (ACRR) in the Career Technology Education program at the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) in Austin. TSD’s … Continued
“I have encouraged and promoted the importance of being honest and putting forth your best work in all of my classes. I hope by stressing these important attributes and trying to lead the students by example they will all work hard, learn from mistakes, and be honest with their customers and employees.” Jay Hales has … Continued
“I know for a fact that our program is changing lives…Even if a student does not pursue the collision repair field, they will have gained invaluable knowledge through our program. From detailing cars on the weekend to changing their own brakes. The skills learned can last a lifetime.” Since January 2007, Brian McDonnell has been … Continued
“During my interview for my current teaching position at UVCC, I was asked why I wanted to teach. I replied, ‘I could try and fix every vehicle in the world, or I could teach others to fix them.’ For me, teaching represents an opportunity to have a greater impact on the world by sharing my … Continued
“I love igniting a spark of passion. Once a spark is ignited, the curriculum simply becomes what is required to reach a desired goal,” Juwan Willis Juwan Willis was an automotive instructor at Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northeast in Pontiac, Michigan. His inspiration for teaching came directly from his own school experiences. After dropping out … Continued
“I am not just a teacher to my students; I serve as a financial and mental health counselor, a career counselor, a coach, a cheerleader, and many times a surrogate parent. Students would likely say: ’Mr. Simmons taught me a great deal about life. He challenges us. He cares about us and about what he … Continued
“As a skilled trades teacher, I have the amazing opportunity to teach, mentor, and be an essential part of my student’s career development. What I love most about teaching is that I get the chance to impact the lives of forty-eight young men and women each year.” Jared Monroe is an automotive instructor at Columbia … Continued
“I have found that the best way to teach the kids how to use the tools, and the value of using tools properly, is to have them use the tools! You have to show a student the power of an air tool and how that power needs to be respected. When that power is not … Continued
“My classroom is a place where my students can come and be themselves. My goal has always been to create a learning environment where students feel safe, are not afraid to answer a question, are not afraid to take chances, remove any fears and allow learning to take place.” Dan Van Boxtel is an automotive … Continued