|
Parent Links
|
|
News – Storyboard
Education That Thinks “Outside the Books”
“Do you have the things I told you to bring today?” Mr. Meyers yelled over the
loud sounds of drill presses and heavy-duty threading machines.
“Yes,” said Chris. “I have my pencil; some paper; my references and a nice,
clean shirt.”
“You nervous?”
“Yes,” said Chris, smiling. “A little.”
Chris White, a senior at Garfield High School, is on his way to an interview at
a machine shop, where he could retire from, making good money doing what he
loves.
It’s not because it’s what his parents told him to do.
It’s not because it’s what his teachers want him to do.
It’s because he found something that truly motivates him to excel.
Chris participates in the career education program where he not only discovered
his love for the machine trade but the work ethic and discipline that is
required to go above and beyond.
While most kids his age were sleeping in and playing video games, Chris spent
his summer at a local machine shop, working 50 hours each week, gaining work
experience and real-world responsibility.
“I would get up at 5 in the morning every day,” said Chris. “But I love the work
that I do.”
 Today, this commitment, dedication and excitement radiated from Chris and
provoked Laspina Tool & Die owner, Tim Laspina, to ask if Chris was able to
start working as a machinist immediately.
“I take students from Akron because they have a lot of dedication and a clear
goal set,” said Laspina. “Chris’ work ethic is one out of 100.”
While some conclude the demise of Akron Machining Institute in July reflects a
declining environment for machine trades, career education apprenticeship
coordinator Frank Meyers disagrees.
“We have half a million dollars worth of equipment for the Computer Aided
Manufacturing program alone,” said Meyers. “We stay on top of changing
technology so these students come out knowing all they can.”
“What we [career education] really are is the dot that connects education with
the business community,” said Meyers. “We listen to what the businesses have to
say and mold our programs around it.” |
