Michael Thomason was named the 2016 Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year during the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) conference held recently in Pasadena, Texas.
Each year, Mitchell 1 recognizes one of the nation’s top teachers for excellence in automotive repair instruction. As this year’s recipient, Thomason will receive a one-year complimentary subscription to Mitchell 1’s ProDemand diagnostic, estimating and repair information software for the school where he teaches. He also was presented with a check for $500 and a recognition certificate.
“Mitchell 1 is proud to join with NACAT to honor those who have demonstrated a commitment to educational excellence in the automotive repair industry,” said Nick DiVerde, senior marketing director, Mitchell 1. “Michael Thomason has an outstanding reputation as an instructor and we feel he is an excellent choice to receive this award. Everyone at Mitchell 1 would like to extend our sincerest congratulations to Michael on his achievement.”
Thomason is an automotive service technician instructor at the Great Plains Technology Center in Lawton, Oklahoma, where he has been on faculty for a year. He discovered his love of automotive technology early, passing his first ASE test while still in high school. Prior to teaching, Thomason worked as a service manager at Herb Easley Chevrolet in Wichita Falls, Texas, and before that, as a shop foreman at Cecil Lawson Buick Cadillac in Lawton. He graduated from the automotive service program at the Great Plains Technology Center in May 1989.
When reflecting on his first year as a teacher, Thomason said he finds it rewarding to think that his years of experience and respect for the profession could influence young minds and help them achieve success and a fulfilling career as a technician.
Selection criteria for the Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year award requires that a master automotive technician excel on all ASE automotive tests, including A1-A8 (Engine Repair, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle, Manual Drive Train and Axles, Suspension and Steering, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Heating and Air Conditioning, Engine Performance) and the L1 (Advanced Engine Performance Exam).
