“What I love most about teaching is getting the opportunity to encourage and motivate students on a daily basis. I’m blessed with the opportunity to literally change the lives of young adults. I get to teach kids how to use power tools, fabricate twin turbo go-karts, build a hot rod from a steel 1929 Model A from the ground up, or simply change the oil in their car. As young adults, my students have a lot to consider when choosing a career path.”
Jordan Engelhardt teaches automotive at Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Illinois. Engelhardt was fascinated by cars growing up and in high school he used that passion to fuel his education. He took an automotive class that led him to community college where his teacher said something that changed his life: “I think you would make a great teacher.” This spurred him to continue his automotive education, earning relevant bachelor’s degrees in automotive technology, business management and technical education, leading up to a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Aurora University. He uses this knowledge to serve his students everyday, and his program has tripled in size from his first class.
Engelhardt works with his students from the ground up, shifting their perspective on difficult tasks to push them beyond their limitations. Students learn about small engines, engine rebuild and diagnostics, car care essentials, automotive engineering & metal fabrication, and automotive service and diagnostics under Engelhardt’s growth mindset teachings. These skills help students complete a challenging automotive and metal fabrication project that tasks them with adding motorizing objects that are not vehicles. A recent project involved fitting engines and car batteries into a pinball machine, maintaining its functionality, while also being able to reach speeds of 35 mph. These learning experiences are enhanced by Engelhardt’s industry connections that have provided students with internship opportunities – learning alongside master technicians at Toyota, restoring classic cars at Chicago Vintage Motor Carriage, and in the fabrication departments of leading specialty automotive manufacturers.
Notes of Excellence
- In 2016, Engelhardt was honored with the Specialty Equipment Market Association – North American Council of Automotive Teachers Instructor of the Year award.
- Engelhardt sponsors his school’s e-sports, auto, and pinball clubs.
- Students in Engelhard’s class build race cars from stock vehicles, supported by donated or discounted parts from leading local business partners.
- Engelhardt’s students showcase their work in the World of Wheels show, have won first place in local college welding competitions, and have qualified for the National Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Rebuild Competition.