Build Pagosa is bridging the gap between educational skills training and the urgent needs of our labor force and creating economic opportunities across the region by providing the facilities, equipment, and instructional resources for evidence-informed career and technical education (CTE).
In an article last week, we provided a little history about the start of the Build Pagosa organization, thanks to Larry Ash and Tor Hessman.
Hessman, who was our first CTE teacher highlighted, is followed by another amazing teacher. His name is Adam Taylor.
Taylor started from scratch and for the last three years has overseen the automotive classes, metal fabrication and welding at Pagosa Springs High School, and started the first Auto Club of its kind.
Taylor is high class — a certified Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) master technician (25+ years), he was previously a technical team leader and curriculum developer at the Universal Technical Institute (UTI), where he was assigned to write and rewrite advanced programs nationally for UTI as well as for Ford Motor Company. He is certified to work on any manufacturers and types of automobiles. It’s pretty impressive to have such a quality instructor in our own high school.
Taylor is a strong advocate for his students as he believes that all students, no matter their background, gender or situation, be given the opportunity to “flip that switch,” discover and learn they are capable to excel in this field. His classes confirm this as they include 30 to 50 percent female and a diversity of students including Native American, Hispanic and African American. Some have already become employed right out of high school.
His program encompasses Metal Fabrication/Welding 1 and 2, Auto 1 and Auto 2.
Fabrication 1 is available to all students, including freshmen, where they get an overview of Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety, shop safety, how to use all equipment, cut metal, bend metal, use blow torches, use a plasma cutter and enjoy creating their first project, etc., followed by weeks of welding. After these four weeks, if they pass a test, it gives them the chance to use an MIG welding machine, which provides a different kind of welding, one of the highest-quality provided within his budget.
Fabrication 2, an advanced and project-based course, is meant to build stronger student’s skills set and give the students a chance to TIG weld, a process that creates high-quality welds.
In sophomore year, Auto 1 class is available each semester. The program is such a great tool for students whether they choose to pursue a career in the field or not. From the start, Taylor doesn’t wait and puts his students right in the midst of it all.
Students first experiment with tools and learn how to use a lift, tire machine, practice soldering and light repairs. One of the interesting assignment is to take an engine apart, identify the parts, put it back together and make it start.
Once they graduate from Auto 1, students have the option to take Auto 2, which is the next level for a more advanced and career base. There, students delve deeper into improving their mechanical abilities, such as brake’s system technology, electrical technology, HVAC and acquiring the tools to start their own business.
Auto 2, which at times has a wait list, can be taken as many times as you want, always exploring exciting subjects as Taylor offers something different each time. It’s a great way to acquire diversified knowledge.
Students can then become certified in MLR (maintenance and light repair) through ASE after completing his program. This is the only ASE certification that can be earned at the high school level.
A few of his former students are already employed in town.
To attend the Auto Club, you must first apply and pass Auto 1 class. It is set on Thursdays at the high school from 4 to 6 p.m. Taylor started this club to give his students the chance to practice, build projects (hot rod), spend time with others, even occasionally opening his Saturdays for it — all this on his own time.
At one of the Auto Club meetings, nine students were in attendance and were divided in two groups. Somehow, one was all girls and the other all boys by the choice of the students.
One group, all girls, was in charge of cleaning the differentials, installing a battery, gas tank and putting the radiator back inside a T. Bucket/hot rod. The other group worked on a Chevy truck, replacing the brackets, remounting the differential and shaft and pulling out the stereo to figure out how to make it work.
Taylor has a deep passion for his work and students. His classes are well attended, but have a limit of about 12 students, not only for safety reasons, but also for better teaching.
He makes it so interesting that one of his students, Hannah, started metal fabrication and switched quickly to Auto 1. For her it was “more fun, more to do and more experimenting.”
Taylor hopes to get an ASE professional and refrigerant certification in place, as this will give such a high level of workmanship his students will be able to use directly in the workforce. This is one of the highest qualifications one can achieve at the high school level.
One of the results of his instruction and caring for his students: a large number of his students have stated that they stayed in school so not to miss his classes. There are a few stories of students who had no direction, considered dropped out of school and came back thanks to Taylor’s classes.
That is making a difference.
If this was not impressive enough, Taylor chose to leave this career to come to our small town to teach our kids, giving them an amazing chance to earn a great living and improve the numbers in our qualified workforce. This is a benefit to us, to our whole community.
Taylor hopes to raise awareness and support from the community so this program can continue and expand. The benefits of CTE classes are showing daily — there’s nothing like a smile on students’ faces learning and discovering something they can be proud of and use for the rest of their lives.
We are extremely fortunate to have him.
Opportunities to be involved
Our upcoming event will be our annual dinner and auction on May 2 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Ross Aragon Community Center.
Next school year, Taylor hopes to have an open house event scheduled at the high school. There will be demonstrations by those talented students on automotive and metal fabrication.
Other CTE teachers will be in attendance as well. More information to come in the next few months. In the meantime, if you are interested in attending the event or would like more information, feel free to contact us. We will keep you updated.
Please check our website (BuildPagosa.org) or contact us at officemanager@buildpagosa.org or Marie@buildpagosa.org.
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