Lee Pulaski, lpulaski@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Lee Pulaski Shawano Community High School juniors Kelsey Gast, left, and Sean Shively replace the drive shaft on a Dodge Ram truck Wednesday during an automotive technology class at the school. The SCHS program is certified by the National Automotive Technology Education Foundation. Shawano is one of only 12 high schools in the state to have the designation.
Shawano Community High School is one of 12 Wisconsin high schools to be certified through the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation.
NATEF oversees automotive education facilities for technical colleges and high schools across the country. The school was notified in early May of the designation.
The foundation ensures that students in its programs come out with superior knowledge of how to repair vehicles, SCHS automotive technology teacher Jeremy Hodkiewicz said.
“NATEF is there to make sure that schools are teaching to the proper standards and things like that,” he said.
Hodkiewicz said he was hesitant when first approached about certifying the local program because NATEF originally focused on just four areas of automotive technology, while SCHS provided a more well-rounded approach. Recent changes in NATEF policy to provide additional areas of learning convinced Hodkiewicz to apply for the certification, he said.
“They added maintenance and light repair, which fits in perfectly with what the high school has always done,” Hodkiewicz said. “It makes sense that we’re not just focusing on four direct areas.”
To get the certification, SCHS had to form an advisory board and undergo an extensive two-day committee review in March. Everything, from the curriculum to the smallest tool, needed to comply with NATEF standards.
Two local businesses came to the school’s aid. American Car Care donated an alignment machine to assist the school. Shawano Auto Sales agreed to donate vehicles for educational purposes.
“The number of donations (to the program) should increase through MGM, Ford and the manufacturing level,” Hodkiewicz said. “What they donate goes to schools that are certified.”
The certification comes at a good time, according to Hodkiewicz, as many schools facing budget cuts are trimming back or ending automotive technology programs while the need for qualified auto mechanics is on the increase.
Hodkiewicz was honored for his efforts at a Shawano School Board meeting by receiving the district’s new Hawk Way award, which goes to students and staff who go the extra mile to benefit the schools.
The certification makes Shawano the northern-most school in Wisconsin to be part of NATEF. Most of the other Wisconsin schools participating in the program are in Madison and Milwaukee.