Any HS Auto Shop Teachers Here?
 

Well, I've been thinking about a career change, so to speak. I've been teaching music in a high school for the last 10 years, and frankly, am starting to get bored of it. The auto shop teacher is retiring in another year, so if he does, I'm seriously considering applying for his position. Anyone know what classes you need to be a shop teacher? I can't find anything on the NJ Dept. of Education website. I ~assume~ all I would need would be some automotive classes at the college level since I'm already a certified teacher, but what college offers those kind of classes? The only one I can think of is Brookdale - but I'm married with two kids so I'd have to find somewhere closer to take the courses. Anyone else have a suggestion?

Can't imagine you would need to be ASE cert to teach a bunch of kiddies.

There are no local community colleges around you?

Consider yourself lucky your school even has an automotive shop! They just cut wood shop from my HS!

I don't think I need the full ASE certs either; pretty sure the shop teacher now does not have anything like that. Bergen Community is about 15 minutes away, but they don't have any automotive classes. Neither does my alma mater William Paterson U, or Montclair U. Cheapasses.

Ah, well Bdale is right off the parkway. Not sure their auto class sched though.

uhmm a member named jerseyboyy on here knows a high school shop teacher i beleive, if you find him on here ask him.

why dont you stop by and ask the shop teacher?

Believe me, I know it! The problem is, there are less and less colleges offering certification for these technical classes, so it's cheaper for the district to just get rid of it once the teacher retires. My hometown high school cut auto shop my sophomore year, and that was in 1989!

Fortunately, we still have a wood shop class at work, and I get along with the teacher well. He let me work in the shop on my lunch to build a door for my daughter's new bedroom so it would match the other doors in my house. I haven't done a woodworking project since the 7th grade (built a small cabinet for my boombox) but this door came out awesome!

It's a shame that districts get rid of these classes. I bet in another 10-15 years, craftsman-type jobs (tiling, masonry, carpentry, mechanics, electricians, plumbers, etc.) will be making big $$. Most kids these days don't want to learn how to do this stuff, and they will wind up paying a fortune to someone who can do it down the road.

I would, but he got his certification almost 30 years ago. Back then, it was more of a generalized degree; he could teach drafting, wood shop, and auto mechanics. A lot has changed since then, so I doubt it's the same.

It's a real shame that they take these types of classes out of schools. When I was in high school they had a small engines class and it was a favorite for many, and they dropped that. It's very rare for a high school to have an auto shop now a days, unless its a tech school. Good luck with it though, hope you can work it out and keep the course going

where do you live exactly? I did a promotional video for my schools automotive division over here at Mercer County Community College and they have some good courses.

when my HS shop teacher retired the wood teacher took over for a year supposedly he did a long time ago but he diddnt know much so im sure you could get the job. Im pretty sure you still need ASEs but if your gonna take the courses thye shouldnt be a problem. I dont know of any colleges near you that have them courses.I took them at camden county college but thats a far drive for you

yeah working with wood kicks ass (please dont say 'thats what she said'). im making a paddle right now for my fraternity and its a lot of fun

And now, here is one example where the South and Central > North, unless there's a mysterious college in the Bergen/Passaic county area that offers these classes. I'm up in Bergen County, about 15 minutes from NYC. I might call the Dept. of Education down in Trenton today and see what they say if I don't hear back via the e-mail I posted to them last night.

oh yeaa?? hows that going hahaha

hah pretty good..have the design down just need to engrave it and paint it maybe lol

Steve I have a good friend from college who teaches shop and he loves it. He didn't take any automotive specific classes in school...just general tech ed stuff. If you show an aptitude maybe you won't even need any specific educational courses.

Can you take anything at NJIT? I'm assuming that may not be too far for you.

Good luck.

I believe SCCC offers something you are looking for, but you better check yourself. Why don't you ask the person who is in charge of hiring/filling positions for you school what you would need to replace that man?

We already make the big bucks!! lol

I just wrote like 3 paragraphs and it all got wiped away.
Pm me my buddys a shop teacher just started 3 years ago so hes the one to talk to. email me actually at brokenrider226@hotmail.com with your name and stuff and ill have him email you some info and you can take it from their.

My HS had a 3 bay garage and all the tools for shop class, but they closed it my freshman year. They condensed it to a few high schools and vocational school.
Monmouth County has a 12 week general auto vocational course for adults.
I thought about doing it as you have access to a lift several times a week, and its like 150 or so to join. Ill have to look into it.

Yeah I would reach out to whoever does the hiring to both understand the requirements, and show your interest so they dont spend a lot of time looking outside the school for a replacement.

My high school was great. We had a three bay garage with two in ground lifts and one above ground. Tire machines, tools, compressors with air tools, engine stands, old 350's and 289's on stands that we had fun with. Unfortunately I was one of the few students who took advantage of it, a lot of people just took the class for an a easy grade and did nothing but sit around. The shop teacher was real lenant with me and I would spend entire days in there sometimes and he would just write all my teachers a note. Ahh the good ole days. Last I heard the shop is still open but he must be getting ready to retire and once he does I'm sure the shop will close down.

just in case anyone was wondering that was in Clifton High School I graduated 07'.

Yes 2nd that SCC (Sussex Comm in Newton NJ) has a two year night program.

My HS had one and a few of my friends and I tried to bring it back but now the school pretty much uses it as storage for the drama kids :cry: