. "I am glad I had the opportunity to take this class and I have now chosen a career path that was made possible through the professional commitment and concern of Mr. Weese, Mr. Falkner and CC&TC.”

During the past 10 years, school administrators and educators restructured the auto program to improve the standards for students and improve their chances to find jobs in the automotive fields.

In 2000, with an automotive technology class enrollment of 39, there were three seniors who held jobs and nine AYES interns. By 2009, those numbers increased to 81 automotive students with 23 working seniors and 14 AYES interns.

Weese said the school works hard at providing a learning environment with a structure built on future employment
as entry-level technicians. In fact, Weese even encourages students to take the ASE tests. Of those who have taken them, about 60% have passed.

While Weese provides a positive and “fun” environment, the class is taught as if students were going to their job, Weese said. “Being on time, being prepared with pen and paper and having their coveralls, safety glasses and work shoes for hands-on training are all areas of the student evaluation process. Students are also evaluated on class participation, written exams and hands-on experience. Even tardiness and absents are taken into consideration.”

The attention that the school provides in turning out professional technicians has not gone unnoticed.

  “As a company that places such a heavy emphasis on technician education, WIX is thrilled to be involved in such a special program,” said Jeff Blocher, brand manager for WIX Filters. “The more students learn today, the better resource they’ll be to their customers down the road; that’s the mantra we live by, and it’s very satisfying to see so many schools across the country share in this belief.”

Caddo Cashes In
Besides the bragging rights of being named the nation’s best automotive school, CC&TC will also receive:
• $10,000 in Chicago Pneumatic Tools;
• $5,000 in WIX Filters;
• One-day WIX Filtration Learning Experience at the school;
• Trip for 4 to Charlotte, NC (Instructor and 3 Students);
• One-day WIX Institute of Filtration Technology and WIX Factory Tour;
• Joe Gibbs Racing Tour and Chicago Pneumatic tool demonstration; and
• Chicago Pneumatic and WIX Filters gear.

Three Finalists
The other three finalists for the 2010 School of the Year were: Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, CO; Spokane Community College, Spokane, WA; and Carroll County Career & Technology Center, Westminster, MD. Each of these schools will each receive $5,000 worth of Chicago Pneumatic tools, $2,500 in WIX Filters and other prizes.