Auto Shop Teacher Fights For Classroom Space

High School teacher Mike Iavarone pleaded with the Board of Education Tuesday night to keep his power management class space when the board renovates the school.

In the original for the the school renovations, power management - auto body shop - was kept as a possible course, but was scaled back. After some discussion, board members did not think students were able to get a through the program and eliminated it. board members called a and after more discussion decided to keep a scaled-back course.

“I cannot say it is the best situation, but it is working for us,” Iavarone said about his current classroom space. “And to take away two thirds of it is doing a tremendous disservice to those students that we serve.“

Iavarone, who did not prepare a speech for the meeting, said he was shocked to learn the board was considering eliminating his class and the technical education department in general.

“Yes, this looks like a general automotive maintenance course and all they do is work on motors all day,” he said, but added, “There is more to our program than grease and dirty motors on the floor.”

Students must understand the basics of how an engine works before they can perform Windows-based diagnostics on 2011-2012 model cars, Iavarone said. He added that his students are able to work on real-life problems in his classroom and are using equipment that is similar and sometimes better than what is in privately-owned car repair shops

“We talk to the on-board computers on the car, which is state of the art," he said.

Any application of technology is a combination of multiple disciplines and help students understand their other courses because they are applying the knowledge to real life applications, Iavarone said.

During his 10 years with at the high school, on average six to nine students graduate from the program each year to positions in the automotive industry such as technicians, service writers and even, engineers, according to Iavarone. Some students are hired right out of the program and others have received automotive degrees at two and four year colleges, he added. 

“I am very passionate about this,” Iavarone said. “I dedicated myself to this program. I love seeing the successes."

Iavarone told the story of one of his students who is currently studying to be a doctor at George Washington University. However during her college interview, the committee noticed that she had taken power management and asked why she would take such a course. She told them because she wanted to be a well-rounded student and was later accepted to the university.

His students retain the material that they learned in the classroom. The same student noticed that she had no heat in her car and knew exactly what to do.  She fixed the problem in her driveway on her own, Iavarone said.

“I clearly think he is doing an outstanding job. I think the opportunities are enormous,” said board member Ronald Robbins. “Let’s make sure they have the space they need to properly have a power technology class.”

Robbins wanted to make sure the board and the schools helped students get into trades and careers as well as colleges.

Iavarone felt that he could not do justice to his program with the 2,000 square feet that he was provided in the educational specifications, especially with the new state statutes. He was afraid to lose his lecture area, storage space and paint room, which is being used by his independent study classes.

However in the conceptual layout, there is a combined business and engineering room that could be used for lectures. Board member Frank Morse added that many teachers in current school plans do not have their own space and float between multiple classrooms.

“Please, please take everything into account and don’t short change the kids,” Iavarone pleaded. “If you could find it in your heart to find an extra 1,200 to 1,600 square feet, I will think I died and went to heaven."

Morse, who was visibly upset, felt Iavarone should rewrite the description of his courses in the program of studies, which is what the board used to make their decision. He understood Iavarone’s passion and understands how other teachers and him would like to keep their current space and even gain more.

“Everyone wants more space, everyone needs more space,” he said. “We have to balance the wants and needs and still meet the ed specs that we need.”

Iavarone felt the program should remain at Rocky Hill High School and students should not be forced to take courses at a technical school. He said it is difficult for a student in eighth or ninth grade to make the decision to go to a technical school. By having the course at the high school, any student can take it and figure out it is right for them.

“Kids take the class on a whim and suddenly fall in love with it,” he said.

In the end, Iavarone could not speak for his whole department, but knew that his fellow teachers had some concerns with the project. He added after the teachers looked at the plans, they were at odds on how to run their current programs in the space that they were given.

“I know my department is concerned with this proposal,” he said. “There are some issues there.”

The board will recommend the educational specifications to the council at its next meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at .

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