From Trades to Teaching: How Electrician Allen Neal and Diesel Mechanic Ryan Shouse Illuminate the World of Vocational Education at Franklin County Schools

Ever wondered how an electrician or a diesel mechanic could transfer their skills into a classroom? You're about to get your answers from two extraordinary educators, Allen Neal and Ryan Shouse, who did just that at the Franklin County Schools Career Tech Center. Their captivating stories of transformation and passion for imparting practical wisdom will leave you inspired. Allen, once an electrician, lights up his students' minds with the intricacies of circuits and electrical construction. And Ryan, a former diesel mechanic, teaches his students the nitty-gritty of the automotive industry, equipping them with real-world experience.

The second half of our podcast pays tribute to the commendable dedication of our FCS team members. We delve into the enriching experiences Allen and Ryan provide in their classrooms, experiences that help students earn industry-level certifications and prepare them for flourishing careers. The value they bring to Franklin County Schools is immeasurable. Listening to their stories offers an insightful glimpse into the transformative power of vocational education. And, we wrap up the episode with a heartwarming thank you to these amazing individuals for their contributions to the community. So, buckle up for an enlightening journey into the world of career tech education at Franklin County Schools.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:08

Welcome to FCS. Unscripted. A new podcast for one team, fcs, where we look at the stories behind every one in Franklin County schools. Hello everyone, this is Superintendent Cop. We are so excited today we have a teacher spotlight edition of the podcast. We're going to be actually speaking with two teachers today, two of our amazing teachers at our Career Tech Center. We have Alan Neal with us, alan, welcome.

Speaker 2: 0:33

Good to be here, thank you.

Speaker 1: 0:35

And Ryan Schaus.

Speaker 3: 0:36

Thanks for having us in.

Speaker 1: 0:38

Alan teaches electrician electricity. What do you actually call the program?

Speaker 2: 0:43

It's electrical technology.

Speaker 1: 0:45

Electrical technology. That's much better than just calling it electricity. So very good. And Alan is in his first year teaching with us, but he's not new to the district and we'll get to that in a second. Ryan teaches automotive technology and Ryan's in his third year teaching with us. Ryan, glad to have you.

Speaker 3: 1:03

Thanks for getting me in this morning.

Speaker 1: 1:05

It's going to be fun to talk to you guys. Now here's what makes these guys really special. A, they're amazing teachers. They have great relationships with their kids. But they did not start out as teachers. They really started in a non-traditional teaching path. Both of these guys started as classified employees in the district Alan you were an electrician for us and Ryan you were a diesel mechanic, a bus mechanic for us. So kind of talk to us about what made you want to become a teacher. I'll start with you, Alan.

Speaker 2: 1:40

So just the atmosphere and the culture here at Franklin County Schools and being in maintenance and interacting with the students in the hallway and just kind of like little fire, you know, one day it would be cool to be able to pour into these young boys and girls and, as they become men and women, and, just honored, to have the chance to be able to climb the ladder, if you will, and have the responsibility that we do today.

Speaker 1: 2:12

Yeah, you were a great electrician, but you're an even better teacher, which we're thrilled about, and you know it's definitely a different pathway to becoming a teacher, but having that industry level experience, that's really huge. I mean, the kids are benefiting from your knowledge.

Speaker 2: 2:31

So yeah, it's really nice because I can relate to. Hey, this is what I faced in this situation. These are how we approach this and they can learn from my mistakes and my shortcomings as we go through the curriculum and through the lesson that they would be successful as electricians in whatever spectrum they decide to go into that.

Speaker 1: 2:55

Right and kind of shift. Now you, Ryan, you were a diesel mechanic, bus mechanic for us and you had the opportunity to become our automotive tech teacher. It was a great hire by us, I must say, because you have proven over these last two years now in your third year to just do an amazing job. What made you want to be a teacher?

Speaker 3: 3:20

I just got the opportunity to change the minds of our future and actually add careers to our industry. So it was an over-injured to take this opportunity and run with it.

Speaker 1: 3:33

You know it's real-world experience that our kids are getting in automotive, for instance, and you know I think our teachers really admire both of you for actually working in that profession that they want. In a lot of cases these kids want to become what you guys were, so that's a really cool attribute of being a teacher. You know, if you teach history, most history teachers aren't historians. We like history, but we've never really practiced as a historian. You're trained to be a teacher, so the fact that you've been in the industry is really, really cool. So I'd really like to know a little bit more about your programs. So, Ryan, tell us about automotive.

Speaker 3: 4:17

Well, autotech One we start out, we just learned the basics, we get our feet wet. You're going to start off with brakes, you're going to learn steering, suspension, electrical engine repair and, of course, a whole lot of safety, especially that first year. Once you get past the first year, it's something you want to pursue. We go on to AutoTech Two, threes and Fours, and that's where we start molding them actually for industry purposes and getting them prepared to go out into the real world and get a job, either at a dealership or a government agency or something like that, maybe even possibly owning their own shop. So I mean, entrepreneurship is the ultimate goal to work for yourself and make a great name for yourself.

Speaker 1: 4:55

And they leave us. If they're completers, for instance, they have an opportunity to earn industry level certifications. Kind of talk about what those are.

Speaker 3: 5:04

Well, our industry level certifications are ASEs. We have that option. If you're a junior or senior, you can take that and we'll actually take care of the funding for that. You can take all the MLR courses, which is actually nine ASEs, and you can actually be master certified if you have enough experience. So that way, when you go out in the real world, you're going to get top level pay at 18, 19 years old. That's awesome.

Speaker 1: 5:29

Yeah, yeah. So I mean, that's something that our public, general public and the community needs to understand is, you know, our whole goal as public educators is to create good citizens and citizens that are able to join the community when they graduate and be productive, and it sounds like that's exactly what you're doing with the automotive program. So, alan, talk to us about the electrical tech program, kind of similarly.

Speaker 2: 5:58

All right. So we're growing this program first year and we offer two courses, currently circuits one and electrical construction one. And next year we will add electrical construction to and we're going to look at add motor controls. But that's the good thing.

Speaker 2: 6:17

Circuits one is going to give them a foundation for their electrical career. They're going to learn Ohm's law and how to calculate conductor sizes and resistance and amperage and all that in electrical construction. They're going to put those principles to use in building circuits. So they're going to build circuits with light switches and receptacles and ground faults and breakers and learn how to do some troubleshooting. And we're looking at getting OSHA-10 certification, working with some other instructors in the building, mr Blackburn, and get these students when they graduate that they can go out on the job Hopefully they can co-op, get them out in the work field and then after they graduate they've already got a good foundation and once a student can complete four years of the track program they can take a test and go from high school to a second year apprentice with certain employers and we're just bringing those employers in and putting all options out in front of them so that they can have a go to work towards.

Speaker 1: 7:28

Yeah, that's great. You know working with the community and also with our post-secondary folks as well. You know trying to find those opportunities If kids want to continue their education and working with some of our partners I know we've worked with some different you know companies that have helped supply us with some equipment. You want to mention any of that?

Speaker 2: 7:52

Yeah, we can grain borrow. They're an electrical distributor for supplies. They've helped in many ways. Archelectric has been very supportive. Anything we need, they're there. We're reaching out to IAC of the Bluegrass the. Union. Those folks are going to come in present to our class, amtech and then also BCTC. All of our courses are dual credit, so if they choose to go that route they can get an associate's degree and that time will count towards the required time for their electrical license.

Speaker 1: 8:26

That's awesome, and with Automotive I know we get some cars donated occasionally. Do you want to mention anyone there, Ryan, yeah we get all kinds of help from dealerships.

Speaker 3: 8:35

We get help from the community. If anybody's got an older vehicle that they no longer want, the students could always use new stuff. And we do a lot of live work too. If anybody ever needs a little project done, love to do it.

Speaker 1: 8:50

Yeah, that's awesome. Well, since you mentioned the word project, we're going to talk about this just real generally. We're not going to spill the beans or anything yet, but all of our well, I think about five of our teachers at CTC are working collaboratively this year on a project that. Let's just say that we're going to be repurposing an old school bus and we're not going to say too much about it, but how excited are you guys for this?

Speaker 3: 9:22

I'm tore up from the floor up.

Speaker 1: 9:25

So you know again. More details are coming on this, folks, but this is going to be. This is going to be great. It's going to be great for the, for the district, for the kids, for the teachers, and the kids are going to do the work on this right.

Speaker 3: 9:39

Yes, sir.

Speaker 1: 9:40

So we're that's, that's, we'll just tease that little bit. So let me ask a couple of questions, just about being a teacher. What's the best part about being a teacher for you guys?

Speaker 2: 9:52

I would say, for me it's the relationship with the students. We get excited to see each other Ultimately, electricity is there where we're to teach, but just to be able to pour into them and them trust enough to come and confide in me and we talk and we just have a good time. And it's the students, it's the relationship.

Speaker 1: 10:11

Kids are amazing. What would you say, Ryan?

Speaker 3: 10:14

It's basically the same thing for me. You don't know what kind of relationship our kids have with other people and you could be that important factor in that kid's life to change their life. For me when I was in school, what kept me in school was ag and auto mechanics, and I want to be that kind of teacher for the future generation.

Speaker 1: 10:34

Do you all remember your favorite teacher? Absolutely. Who was it?

Speaker 3: 10:38

JR Zinner and Francis Wheatley.

Speaker 1: 10:40

Awesome yeah.

Speaker 2: 10:41

So I have two. It's a tie. It would be Mr Joe Bill Fister he still teaches electricity in Herzberg today and then Ms Lynn Taylor, and she's since retired. But both of those teachers were instrumental in helping me be successful in complete high school.

Speaker 1: 10:58

And why are those your favorite teachers? What qualities did they have?

Speaker 3: 11:01

They cared.

Speaker 1: 11:02

Yeah, right.

Speaker 3: 11:05

It was more than a job for them.

Speaker 1: 11:06

Yeah, they develop relationships with you, so that's awesome. Now, what's the most challenging aspect of being a teacher? Since you all started out doing something different, what's been the most challenging part?

Speaker 2: 11:19

Teaching Just. I take it very seriously and it's pride in the you know the model one team, fcs and we. Every student succeeds in just making sure that I'm doing my job, that every student is set up for success, whatever that looks like for them.

Speaker 3: 11:37

I totally agree with him. I couldn't say it any better.

Speaker 1: 11:39

That's awesome. Well, I'm going to take you guys off the hot seat and we're going to do some fun questions and we're going to do what we like to refer to as fun facts. All right, some fun facts for you guys. We're going to start with you, alan, but the first question what's your favorite food?

Speaker 2: 11:56

Steak.

Speaker 1: 11:57

Steak. How do you? How? Medium, medium. Okay, all right, what about you?

Speaker 3: 12:02

It's got to be a cheeseburger.

Speaker 1: 12:04

All right, yeah, any particular kind of cheese doesn't matter, I don't care. All right, this is a little different one now. What was your favorite cartoon growing up? Roadrunner All right, Bugs Bunny, actually Roadrunner Wiley Cote. Did you ever wish that Wiley would catch the Roadrunner?

Speaker 3: 12:25

Not really. I always would for the Roadrunner. Okay, alan.

Speaker 2: 12:30

So I would say Looney Tunes, he was 70, sam.

Speaker 1: 12:33

He was. He was awesome. Yeah, All right. What was your favorite breakfast cereal growing up?

Speaker 2: 12:40

Lucky Charms.

Speaker 1: 12:41

All right.

Speaker 3: 12:43

Never was a cereal person.

Speaker 2: 12:44

Really.

Speaker 3: 12:46

I mean kind of a biscuit and gravy kind of guy.

Speaker 1: 12:48

Well, there's nothing wrong with that either. Goodness, all right. So I'm going to end with this one. What is your favorite type of music or your favorite group?

Speaker 3: 12:59

I don't really have any favorite anything when it comes to music. I relate to all kinds of different kind of music. It just depends on the mood and what I'm doing for the day.

Speaker 1: 13:07

Yeah, all right.

Speaker 2: 13:10

So I would say that I listened to modern Christianity music or like a easy listening, like 92.1 kind of some 80s, 90s music.

Speaker 1: 13:21

Okay, all right, that's fair enough. Well, you guys are off the hot seat. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you being here and being part of the show and being part of one team, fcs. I mean, I've heard nothing but great things about you all. I've been in your classroom. I haven't been in your classroom yet, alan, other than just peeking in through the window, so I'm going to come into a lesson next week. Ryan, I've been in your classroom multiple times. You always, you just do an amazing job and I can't thank you enough on behalf of our students and our community for what you do. So thanks for being here. We appreciate you.

Speaker 3: 13:56

Well, thank you, thank you.

Speaker 1: 13:58

Have a great night and have a great day everyone. We appreciate you listening to FCS Unscripted.