Lot Burdick, Welding Instructor at Dubiski Career High School in the Grand Prairie Independent School District, has successfully completed the 2021 Agricultural Mechanics Academy, a national agricultural educator training event hosted at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Mr. Burdick was one of twenty participants from across the United States selected to participate in the 2021 Agricultural Mechanics Academy.
The Academy was an intensive 10-day training that included hands-on learning and train-the-trainer-style lessons in agricultural mechanics focused on small gas engines, residential wiring, and welding. This first-of-the-kind training was held from July 27 through August 5 under the direction of Dr. Ryan Anderson, assistant professor in agricultural education and agricultural mechanics at Texas State University. Dr. Anderson was able to develop and host this training at no cost to the participants through funding by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (AFRI Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy Priority Area, award #2020—08590).
“The Agricultural Mechanics Academy provided a tremendous opportunity for teachers across the nation to receive the training and skills necessary to be successful in the agricultural mechanics courses that they teach,” said Dr. Anderson. “Agricultural mechanics is a critical component of many rural communities and a core part of many agricultural education programs. This is an opportunity I wish I had as an early career educator.
Participants of the Academy received numerous classroom items and teaching resources for being selected and participating. Those items included classroom sets of small gas engines, curriculum, and tools from Briggs & Stratton with training provided by Power Distributors; welding gear packs, curriculum, and training from Lincoln Electric; and Agricultural Technical Systems and Mechanics textbooks from American Technical Publishers. Participants in the academy exceeded over 120 Continuing Education Credit hours for participating.
“The training I received from the Agricultural Mechanics Academy is invaluable. This training really helped prepare me for teaching my students for years to come,” said Mr. Burdick. “The classroom materials and supplies that were included with this training will be a tremendous benefit for my students and the Agricultural Mechanics program at Dubiski. I am very grateful to Dr. Anderson, USDA, Briggs & Stratton, Lincoln Electric, and everyone else that helped make this training possible.”
About the Agricultural Mechanics Academy
This was the first year of the Agricultural Mechanics Academy. Through the USDA, funding has been obtained for annual training through 2024. For more information about this opportunity and to apply for training, please visit https://ag.txstate.edu/outreach/Agricultural-Mechanics-Academy.html
About Dubiski Career High School
John A. Dubiski Career High School is a GPISD public high school of choice with a focus is on equipping students with the skills they need for 21st-century professions. Students choose a sequential course of study designed to prepare them for a 2-year, 4-year, or technical college. In addition to their high school diploma, students are also eligible to complete programs that award them with advanced certifications, industry training, and internship and career-field experiences. Dubiski offers HB5 endorsements including STEM, Business & Industry, and Public Service.
grapevinesource.com 