Page 17 - TTMNSummer2024

Teaching Today Minnesota | Summer/Back to School 2024 STEM/Transportation Page 17

Putting Students in the Driver’s Seat

A leader in the north- their program to ref ect the needs of their from Ford Motor Company surprised him
east metro, WBLAS local automotive industry, and to best serve in his Automotive class with a personal
Career Pathways the students who elect to enroll in the courses. congratulations for completing over 200
has evolved from its One of these changes was partnering courses within the F-ACE program. In
inaugural pathway with Ford Motor Company to April, representatives from the
in Manufacturing to add Ford Automotive Career company stopped back to
encompass nine dif- Exploration (F-ACE) to meet Hendrickson and to
ferent pathways in their program. personally congratulate
the areas of Busi- “F-ACE has been him on his accomplish-
ness, Communication a huge game changer ment of completing
Technology, Con- for the program,” over 500 modules.
struction, Education, said White Bear Lake Company represen-
Engineering & Manu- Area High School tatives shared they
facturing, Family & (WBLAHS) Auto- were not aware of any
Consumer Sciences, motive Instructor other students who had
Health & Wellness, Derek Doescher. “It completed this many
Information Technol- has allowed me to mimic modules while still in
ogy, and Automotive. my curriculum to what my high school, and that both
With federal f nancial students will experience while of them are on track to become
support from Perkins, attending a postsecondary automo- certif ed Ford Technicians follow-
Career Pathways relies tive program, or while working at one of our ing graduation if they choose to do so.
on its strong commu- local industry partners to help students to In the fall of 2024, White Bear Lake
nity partnerships with build their resume.” Area High School students in grades 9–12
Marisa Vette, APR local businesses to This school year, two juniors have will come together in the newly-renovated
Director of Communications and Community ensure curriculum, course sequencing and taken full advantage of the opportunities unified high school. District leaders,
Relations student experiences are in line with industry with F-ACE. WBLAHS students Andrew instructor Doescher and countless industry
White Bear Lake Area Schools standards and are available to students for Klier and Jonny Hendrickson have com- partners have been hard at work in plan-
hands-on exploration and mentorship. pleted more F-ACE modules than any ning the new state-of-the-art space, which
For the past 10 years, White Bear Lake White Bear Lake Area Schools’ Trans- other high school student in the United will feature bigger garage doors, new
Area Schools (WBLAS) has offered Career portation Career Pathways team has been States. In December, Klier was recognized
Pathways for its students in grades 8 to 12.
working hard over the past f ve years to align for his achievements when representatives Continued on Page 22

BHS Automotive Program Receives National Accreditation

cation and industry leaders, it gives added struts, welding and diagnostics.
assurance that Burnsville graduates will be “The automotive program, as well
employable entry-level technicians. As a as other trades classes, offers transferable
result of the quality education provided by skills,” said Russ Tesmer, technology educa-
Burnsville High School, the motoring public tion teacher and automotive instructor. “Not
will benef t since better repair technicians all students in the automotive pathway will
will join the work force.” end up in the f eld, but the skills they’ve
The automotive program at Burnsville learned here will help them in other career
High School (BHS) provides real-world f elds.”
learning experiences for students and helps The automotive repair program at
them easily move into desired careers in the Burnsville High School is part of the school’s
automotive f eld. Pathways model, which is designed to help
Through various grants, like the Min- students f nd their passion and prepare for
nesota Department of Labor and Industry’s success after graduation by providing oppor-
Youth Skills Training grant, generous tunities to earn college credit and industry
donations and on-going support from busi- certif cations without having to leave the
ness partnerships, students have access school campus. Learn more about District
to cutting-edge equipment, job shadow- 191’s PreK-12 Pathways model at pathways.
ing opportunities, paid work experiences, isd191.org.
certif cations and early college credit oppor- The ASE Education Foundation is a
tunities. non-prof t, independent organization that
Automotive classes are rigorous and evaluates and accredits entry-level techni-
Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 Education Foundation. Nationally accepted relevant, and curriculum aligns with indus- cian training programs against standards
The automotive training program at standards of excellence in areas such as try standards and expectations. A student developed by the automotive industry.
Burnsville High School has received ASE instruction, facilities and equipment were who goes through the program, from engine
Training Program accreditation in Main- used. technology to welding & auto repair to
tenance and Light Repair by the ASE “This is great news for automotive- advanced vehicle services, will know how
Education Foundation. minded young people and their parents,” to perform a variety of repairs and services www.isd191.org
To achieve this coveted recognition, said Michael Coley, ASE Education Foun- by the time they graduate. Some of the skills
the school’s automotive training program dation President. “Because this program students learn are balancing and aligning
underwent rigorous evaluation by the ASE increases cooperation between local edu- tires, changing front/rear brakes, replacing