Content Area
Passion for the Trades
I firmly believe in teaching skills relevant to the trades industry and how they could lead students to obtain successful employment. For one, due to various circumstances, some students may choose not to go or have the resources to attend college and must enter the workforce right after graduating high school. As a high school student, I was not successful, but learning skills relevant to the trades industry has helped me succeed and allowed me to be where I am today. Being a journeyman electrician, welder/fabricator, and packaging mechanic specialist has allowed me to take these skills and pass them down to my students. Therefore, I chose to attend Washington State University and become a educator in Agriculture Education. Becoming an educator has given me the platform where I can assist students dismissed in the educational system by providing guidance and mentorship.
Welding/
Shop
Electrical
Basics
Machine Repair/
Maintenance
Mechatronics
CNC/Robot Programming
As a Manufacturing/Mechatronics teacher, I will incorporate the knowledge I have gained over the 26 years in the trades into my shop class. Working in the industry for many years has taught me how important it is to know these technical skills. Students will be able to develop their knowledge and know-how in welding/fabricating, electrical basics, and machine repair/maintenance techniques. The assigned projects will conceptually align to real-world applications
Manufacturing Courses
Currently, I am the Manufacturing teacher for the Willamette Career Academy located in Salem, OR. Students are introduced to Advanced Manufacturing concepts and theories for relevant industrial processing applications. For example, students learn and apply through hands-on applications for AC/DC, electrical relay controls, hydraulics, pneumatics, machine operation, and robot programming/operations.
Various CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Automated Machining) software are utilized throughout a students' experience while at WCA. Students create blueprints, designs and G-Code programs to operate various automated equipment. Equipment that we currently have in our shop are laser engravers, 3D printers, industrial waterjet, CNC, and milling machines.
Lastly, students have opportunities to learn and operate various welding equipment. Welding applications students learn and experience are MIG, stick, TIG, and oxyacetylene. Students also participate in various Industry Career Connected projects throughout the school year.
Our Manufacturing program is heavily engrained with project-based learning. Students are provided with the guidance and mentoring necessary to ensure their success in their chosen career or academic pursuits.
