shopguy
Well-Known Member
Sometimes I get a little annoyed about some less than positive insights on what I'm trying to do with the kids with this AWB project. Sometimes the comments are very positive and insightful, and appreciated. thanks. But I think I'll give a little insight on what I'm trying to do.
1) The auto program has been on the verge of closing for, heck, seems like for 20+ years. I took over for the last teacher who passed away in the middle of the year. 2001. A big loss for the program.....and an opportunity to close it.
2) I volunteered to move from teaching engineering classes, to auto. I went from college bound kids with calculus skills and perfect attendance to kids who are on the verge of dropping out and can't read a scale. They NEED these courses.
3) Its a general HS program, NOT a vocational school. I now have 120 kids per year, most have never held a screwdriver, let alone used one. If they stick with it, after 2 years, they are rebuilding engines, straightening frames sections and doing more than most kids in 2 yr. college programs. My kids score top 10% nationally on the UTI entrance exam. Yes, I'm proud of them. Let see you give 25 kids in 1 class a sawzall and cut them loose on your car.....now you know why I have no hair left!
4) My total budge last year was $800 for tools, repairs, machine supplies, gloves, dust masks....everything. next year Im' hearing a 50% cut to $400.
How far can you go with $400 spread out over a year?
5) The school provides kids and a shop with 3 lifts and; hand tools, MIG welder, sandblast cabinet, ammco disk lathe...thats it. I am thankful, they let the program exist. The could end it at any time. Every other tool in the shop I bought out of my pocket and brought it in. I even had to buy storage shelving, which I was told I had to GIVE to the school or take it home. I donated it.
6) Lawyers say we can't work on kids cars, faculty cars, community cars due to liability concerns. I got 1 car donated from UTI, as a shop mule for Auto 1 kids. Everything else we work on....I pay for. My choice.
7) I'm a technology teacher; Ive have taught multiple engineering classes, Autocad, video production, silkscreening, and special ed. tech classes. I'm NOT a formerly trained mechanic, I'm self taught. But I'll be damned if I'll let this program go, the kids that spend 3 years here, go on to become awesome community members and self supporting young adults. They only need a chance.
8) Every damn car that comes in, I pay for. I pay for every single part, every expendible, nothing is donated. When done, the cars are sold, and as you know, you're lucky to get the parts money back. So far, I've lost thousands.
My choice, I'm not complaining, just explaining my situation. I work on my own time sourcing parts, doing research to keep the builds going. Again, my choice. Example: I'm driving 3 hours to pu a used S6 trans for another project. Yup, on sunday....no compensation...no thanks, but I need it for a class. We're doing a trans swap on a 75 Dart.
9) I'm teaching EVERYTHING, a 1 man show: intro to bodywork, welding, fabrication, suspension, engine building, brakes, steering systems, basic electrics.... Go to a vocational school....1 teacher per discipline.
10) I'm overwhelmed at times. I'm still have written lesson plans, test to give and grade, discipline issues....all that teacher stuff in addition to the freaking cars. Right know I have a 73 rotisseria dart sport 80% done and the 65 Coronet AWB project, just starting. Its WAY WAY too much at time. Ask my seemingly estranged (but loving and supportive) wife. Rate: we completely restored 7 cars in 8 yrs. tell me how you would hold up under that pace physicall and financially.
I'm not complaining, its all my choice. My pay? still not up to what I was making when I left industry back in 97 to teach. Its NOT about the money. Its about the kids. I AM lucky to be doing a job I love. And...I have a job. It would be easy to back off the project load.....but that 's what excites the kids, so I'll march on.
So; if I seem to ask a question the make someone think its a "shortcut"...it just as well may be. The cars will all be structually sound and above all, SAFE when we are done. The kids learn SAFETY first and always.
:eusa_boohoo:
OK...rant off. But I hope you know now, what I do, why I do it and the constraints I work under and how that drives decisions on what work we do.
And thanks. Sites like Big Block Dart; FABO, FBBO have been invaluable sources of information and parts to keep us going. BTW: I'm not looking for attaboys....just a little understanding as to the decisions that must be made, and under what constraints.
1) The auto program has been on the verge of closing for, heck, seems like for 20+ years. I took over for the last teacher who passed away in the middle of the year. 2001. A big loss for the program.....and an opportunity to close it.
2) I volunteered to move from teaching engineering classes, to auto. I went from college bound kids with calculus skills and perfect attendance to kids who are on the verge of dropping out and can't read a scale. They NEED these courses.
3) Its a general HS program, NOT a vocational school. I now have 120 kids per year, most have never held a screwdriver, let alone used one. If they stick with it, after 2 years, they are rebuilding engines, straightening frames sections and doing more than most kids in 2 yr. college programs. My kids score top 10% nationally on the UTI entrance exam. Yes, I'm proud of them. Let see you give 25 kids in 1 class a sawzall and cut them loose on your car.....now you know why I have no hair left!
4) My total budge last year was $800 for tools, repairs, machine supplies, gloves, dust masks....everything. next year Im' hearing a 50% cut to $400.
How far can you go with $400 spread out over a year?
5) The school provides kids and a shop with 3 lifts and; hand tools, MIG welder, sandblast cabinet, ammco disk lathe...thats it. I am thankful, they let the program exist. The could end it at any time. Every other tool in the shop I bought out of my pocket and brought it in. I even had to buy storage shelving, which I was told I had to GIVE to the school or take it home. I donated it.
6) Lawyers say we can't work on kids cars, faculty cars, community cars due to liability concerns. I got 1 car donated from UTI, as a shop mule for Auto 1 kids. Everything else we work on....I pay for. My choice.
7) I'm a technology teacher; Ive have taught multiple engineering classes, Autocad, video production, silkscreening, and special ed. tech classes. I'm NOT a formerly trained mechanic, I'm self taught. But I'll be damned if I'll let this program go, the kids that spend 3 years here, go on to become awesome community members and self supporting young adults. They only need a chance.
8) Every damn car that comes in, I pay for. I pay for every single part, every expendible, nothing is donated. When done, the cars are sold, and as you know, you're lucky to get the parts money back. So far, I've lost thousands.
My choice, I'm not complaining, just explaining my situation. I work on my own time sourcing parts, doing research to keep the builds going. Again, my choice. Example: I'm driving 3 hours to pu a used S6 trans for another project. Yup, on sunday....no compensation...no thanks, but I need it for a class. We're doing a trans swap on a 75 Dart.
9) I'm teaching EVERYTHING, a 1 man show: intro to bodywork, welding, fabrication, suspension, engine building, brakes, steering systems, basic electrics.... Go to a vocational school....1 teacher per discipline.
10) I'm overwhelmed at times. I'm still have written lesson plans, test to give and grade, discipline issues....all that teacher stuff in addition to the freaking cars. Right know I have a 73 rotisseria dart sport 80% done and the 65 Coronet AWB project, just starting. Its WAY WAY too much at time. Ask my seemingly estranged (but loving and supportive) wife. Rate: we completely restored 7 cars in 8 yrs. tell me how you would hold up under that pace physicall and financially.
I'm not complaining, its all my choice. My pay? still not up to what I was making when I left industry back in 97 to teach. Its NOT about the money. Its about the kids. I AM lucky to be doing a job I love. And...I have a job. It would be easy to back off the project load.....but that 's what excites the kids, so I'll march on.
So; if I seem to ask a question the make someone think its a "shortcut"...it just as well may be. The cars will all be structually sound and above all, SAFE when we are done. The kids learn SAFETY first and always.
:eusa_boohoo:
OK...rant off. But I hope you know now, what I do, why I do it and the constraints I work under and how that drives decisions on what work we do.
And thanks. Sites like Big Block Dart; FABO, FBBO have been invaluable sources of information and parts to keep us going. BTW: I'm not looking for attaboys....just a little understanding as to the decisions that must be made, and under what constraints.
