Ag Mech Fridays

One of the tasks we were assigned to complete during student teaching was a "Pick One!" project where we were provided with a list of different professional development activities/events that would help us in a variety of areas. The goal was to pick something that we felt like we needed improvement in.

For me, the first thing that came to mind was skills in the shop and managing shop classes. Due to the uncertainties with COVID, the school I am at decided not to offer any shop classes this year. Unfortunately, this is one area that I need the most help in. In addition, on Friday's we have teacher office hours for the students to come to which means that there's no students in the building those days, and usually some time for us to work on various materials for the upcoming week. I figured this would be a great opportunity to maximize my time with some professional development in ag mechanics and shop management.

With help of my cooperating teachers, we would spend a few hours each Friday tackling various aspects of ag mech. Over the course of about 12 weeks we covered stick-electrode welding, MIG welding, oxy-acetylene cutting and brazing, electrical theory and wiring, woodshop, small gas engines theory, small gas engines parts and tools, and some odds and ends of other machines in the shop such as the tile cutter. Sometimes we would be out in the shop practicing skills associated with these categories in ag mech, other times we would be in the classroom working on theory. Throughout all of it, though, we always talked about classroom/shop management and ultimately how to keep everyone safe. 

These Fridays were invaluable to me. I learned so much about theory, progressed in my skills, and gained a new-found confidence in ag mechanics. The perspective and teacher tips that my cooperating teachers gave me were also so helpful in helping me to work through what it might be like in my shop when I have my own program and need to teach these classes. Without this experience this semester, I would not feel as comfortable or confident in this subject area.