With just days left, I am on the edge of my seat, because the race for Klein Tools Head of the Class instructor of the year award is still anyone’s game! And with a $1000 prize on the line, EVERY VOTE COUNTS!
Back in August, we put out the call to nominate a deserving electrical or HVAC instructor who has made a difference in the lives of the people they teach and their community. We were looking for nominees who are masters of their craft, have classroom/lab experience, and dedication to their community.
From the many we received, we’ve narrowed it down to six and now, we’re leaving it up to YOU to pick the Grand Prize winner, the first ever Head of the Class!
Here’s the deal… you only have until October 5th to cast your vote!
Your vote will help recognize the outstanding Grand Prize winning instructor with an additional $500 cash reward for himself and an additional $500 in Klein tools for his training center. (Note: each of the six finalists received $500 for themselves and $500 in Klein tools for their training center.)
But that’s not all….each student in the winning instructors Fall 2014 class will get this ridiculously awesome Back to School kit, which includes:
- 1 Klein hi-viz t-shirt
- 1 pair of Klein safety glasses
- 1 Klein flash drive
- 6 Klein carpenter's pencils
- 1 Klein camouflage dual zone cooler
So here they are, your six nominees for Head of the Class! Cast your vote here!
Region 1 “Northwest”
Kelly Lamp (Boise, Idaho - JATC instructor)
- Focused on providing the best training experience for apprentices. Kelly is the first call former students make when they have a question.
- Designed and built solar array and electric vehicle training stations.
- Won Klein Tools’ Top Apprentice Award during his own apprenticeship.
Region 2 “West”
Mike Tallis (Tucson, AZ - JATC instructor)
- In 2011 and 2012, Mike had a 100% student success rate going from 1st to 2nd year of apprenticeship -- a first for the Tucson program.
- Designed and built fifteen state-of-the-art, hands-on training stations for his classroom.
- Currently a supervisor for the service department at Sturgeon Electric and a proud member of the I.B.E.W. Local Union #570.
Region 3 “Great Lakes”
Roy Smith (Alpena, MI - Utility Technology Program head instructor)
- Increased program enrollment from 12 to 44 students per year.
- Designed and developed pole yard training lab.
- Instructor at Alpena Community College for 20 years and a graduate of the inaugural Alpena program class.
Region 4 “South”
Rusty Wilkinson (Shreveport, LA - JATC instructor)
- His heart and focus is on training the next generation of electrical workers.
- Fifth year apprentice and NFPA 70E instructor.
- Retired US Marine. He is a program graduate and instructor for the past 35 years.
Region 5 “Southeast”
Robert Stringham (Alexandria, VA - Edison Academy teacher)
- Excellent track record placing students in the workplace.
- Secured over $200,000 in new HVAC training modules for his lab.
- Was a SkillsUSA Virginia state training officer and sat on the board of directors for the past six years. In addition, he teaches at Northern Virginia Community College and District of Columbia Community College.
Region 6 “Northeast”
Timothy Fecteau (Sanford, ME – Sanford Regional Technical Center teacher)
- SkillsUSA, Maine 2012 Advisor of the Year.
- Built the Sanford Regional Technical Center electrical program from the ground up – it is now considered the best in Maine.
- Coaches soccer, basketball, softball and hockey.