“I am most passionate about instilling in students the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in both their careers and personal lives. Beyond welding techniques, I aim to cultivate self-starting, resourceful individuals equipped with a spectrum of skills—from hard work and teamwork to personal finance and people skills.”
Robert Pease teaches Welding at Fleming County High School in Flemingsburg, Kentucky. Pease brings a wealth of diverse experiences, including growing up in a rural agricultural setting, serving in the military, and a strong commitment to academic excellence. Equipped with a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Arts, and a Rank 1 certification in Agricultural Education, as well as National Board Certification, he has a robust academic foundation. Nonetheless, it was his service with the Army Corps of Engineers that truly developed his skills, shaping him into the accomplished educator and leader he is today.
In his skilled trades classroom, project-based learning is the cornerstone, embodying the practical application essential for success in the field. Through a myriad of projects, such as constructing community picnic tables and fabricating the Kentucky Department of Agriculture welcome sign, students engage in hands-on experiences that bridge the gap between theory and practice. Pease’s classroom is structured like a real-world welding shop, with students negotiating with vendors, interacting with the community, and leading in industry-standard roles, such as superintendents, foremen, safety officers and others. Student success has translated into scholarships, totaling over $290,000 in 2023 and 2024 alone, and talented graduates have joined the coveted “$100k club” at an exceptionally young age.
Notes of Excellence
- Pease holds certifications as an AWS Certified Welding Inspector and Educator, an OSHA Outreach Instructor for both General and Construction Industries, and is also a NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) Master Trainer, NCCCO (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators) Practical Examiner, and ASHI (American Safety and Health Institute) Teacher Trainer for CPR, First Aid and AED.
- Extracurricular activities such as Future Farmers of America and welding contests are key to showcasing the talents and capabilities of Pease’s students. His students have won the state welding competition for over 10 consecutive years and won numerous state welding contests in SkillsUSA.
- Pease assisted with the start of the Kentucky Welding Institute while teaching full time at Fleming County High School, and now serves as its Director of Education.