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STEM/Transportation
Page 16 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com
Central CTE Teacher Receives National Award
partnered with local businesses to give my tires can’t fall off when the vehicle drives out
students valuable apprenticeship opportuni- of the shop. The customer gets the value of
ties for career exploration and employment. I an inexpensive repair (we charge $10-20 for
feel that what I teach is a lifelong skill, that is repairs or sometimes just a box of doughnuts)
transferable to other career options and will and the students get the experience of fixing
save my students thousands of dollars in their real problems. An A in this class can earn
adult life.” college credit as well!
“I feel that what I teach is a lifelong skill,
This class is taught outside of the that is transferable to other career options and
traditional classroom. will save my students thousands of dollars in
Auto 2 is taught at a shop located two their adult life. I want to prepare all of my stu-
blocks away from the main campus. It was dents for success, no matter their race, color of
originally a Skellys gas station back in the skin, gender or economic status. Without my
1940’s. In 1971, Skelly donated the shop to program, many urban youths would not have
the St Paul School District, and it was con- exposure to the subject matter and struggle
verted into an automotive shop/classroom. with the inevitability of vehicle ownership,”
It’s a small, two-bay garage. Quite often we says Matt.
do repairs outside due to the limited work “I identify myself as a hardworking,
Matt working with a student in the tire lab. area. In the last few years, the district gifted passionate educator. As in my career in auto-
the program with two new hoists, new tire motive, I want to be the best at my teaching
Congratulations Matt! for the NSHSS Educator of the Year award. machines, an updated security system, new profession. I feel that my students deserve
For more about the award visit https:// nothing less. I truly love my job at Central and
Ask any highly accomplished adult, in www.nshss.org. LED lighting, a new heating system and a new, enjoy teaching a diverse student population. I
any profession, to name an individual who beautiful, epoxy floor. feel that the best part of my job is connecting
played a pivotal role in their success and they A Hidden Gem Auto 2 is available to students in grades with students and getting to know them on a
will likely name an educator. The National Matt Lijewski has been teaching auto- 10-12 that have successfully completed Auto personal level. I have found that the key to
Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) motive technology at St. Paul Central High 1. Students learn everything from brake jobs student success is taking the time to build that
provides its high school members with the School for the past 14 years. His path was not to engine removal. This class specializes in all important teacher/student relationship and
opportunity to acknowledge high school the traditional one taken by most teachers. general vehicle maintenance repairs, not auto treating students with equity and respect. Each
teachers, counselors or administrators who After graduating from high school, Matt body repairs. The unique part of Matt’s Auto student brings in a unique set of skills and life
have made the most significant contribution to pursued an Associate Degree in Automotive 2 program is that they work it like a real shop. experiences that provide excellent opportuni-
their academic career by nominating them as Technology and went on to work in the auto- Students learn on teacher/student/community ties for us to learn from each other.”
an Educator of Distinction. motive industry for 20 years as a transmission member vehicles. Students must diagnose the
Matthew Lijewski, the automotive and driveline specialist. problem, write up the vehicle, order parts and
instructor at Central High School, was nomi- Feeling his career had become stag- complete the repair. The main benefit of this
nated by his students for a Claes Nobel nant and looking for a change that was both type of working/learning set up is that stu- www.spps.org/central
Educator of Distinction award. Matt, a 1988 challenging and personally fulfilling, Matt dents are working on real world problems,
graduate of Harding High School, is in his explored a job opening at Central High School the vehicle must be repaired correctly, and the
14th year of teaching with SPPS. as an automotive instructor. He thought it
Matt said about his award: might be a new and interesting career where
he could utilize his personal experience and SPPS Automotive Program
I appreciate this award because a student extensive automotive knowledge to educate
took time out of his day to nominate me. It is the youth of St Paul.
nice to know that what I teach has a big impact Saint Paul Public Schools Automotive Course Descriptions
on students’ lives and the choices that they Matt talks about the program The Saint Paul High School Automo- Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair 1
make after they leave Central. I am proud to The Automotive Program at Central High tive Center, as part of the Districtwide Career Course Description:
teach a subject that provides a student with School consists of two levels: Auto 1 and Auto Pathways program for all high school students Allows students to explore career oppor-
very valuable information/skills and may lead 2. Auto 1 is offered to grades 9-12. in 10th grade and up, just underwent their 5th tunities and requirements of a professional
them into post-secondary education to become “In my introductory Auto 1 class, I ASE Education Foundation 5 year Program service technician.
a professional automotive technician, which is educate my students about the basics of auto- Accreditation review. This process ensures
a high demand/high-paying career. motive knowledge and repair. How to work in a that the automotive program’s curriculum, • Content emphasizes beginning trans-
The student that nominated me for the shop safely, hand tools/power tools, maintain- tools and equipment, and instructor training portation service skills and workplace
award got a job this summer working at a ing your vehicle, tires, batteries, starters, and meet the high industry standards set forth by success skills.
local automotive repair shop and loves it! He alternators. The goal of the class is to prepare the governing board of ASE. With this latest • Students study safety, tools, equipment,
saved enough money over the summer to buy my students for purchasing and maintaining accreditation the Saint Paul High School Auto- shop operations, and the fundamentals
his first truck. motive Center will continue the tradition of of operation, maintenance, and basic
their own automobile and avoiding common repair procedures for automotive engine
Educators of Distinction are outstanding problems associated with vehicle ownership. delivering training excellence since 1979 to mechanical systems, heater and air
role models and exemplary practitioners who In addition, we explore career options in the students of SPPS. conditioning systems, and drive train
have made a lasting difference in a student’s industrial trade industry, which is a well-pay- Students attending the program can earn systems.
life by encouraging them to strive for excel- ing, essential, high demand career. This class ASE Student Certifications, apply for summer
lence, not just in their academic pursuits, but is taught in a traditional classroom setting. internships, as well as earn articulated college • Classroom and shop activities simu-
in all their endeavors. Educators of Distinction “In my advanced Auto 2 class, I prepare credits. The Districtwide Automotive Program late automotive service industry
are invited to attend the Society’s free member my students to become a “do-it-yourselfer” or shares a location with Global Arts Upper operations through the use of train-
events around the country and are recognized to enter post-secondary automotive training. School and is led by instructors Ron Rybicka ing aids, shop vehicles, and customer
with a personalized certificate presented in I accomplish this goal by providing a mixture and Henry Velasquez and supported by the work as available.
honor of NSHSS Founder Claes Nobel. Educa- of traditional classroom education with real Office of College and Career Readiness.
tors of Distinction are also eligible to compete world/hands on training. In addition, I have Continued on Page 17