Please help me save my highschool technology courses!

[MustangGT92]

Guys, I have news, and its pretty intense.

 

I guess this goes A LOT deeper than I had ever thought!

 

Pay attention, it will be hardto follow me on this one.

 

We've recently gotten a new Principle, which is now Mrs Wahl. Apparently she's had it in for my tech teacher since the beginning of the year. The new computer lab will look really good in her name , and my tech teacher, Rolf Tiedemann, was one of the few standing in her way.

 

Well guess what! Monday rolls around, my tech teacher isnt in class, we have a sub. Ok.

 

Tuesday rolls around, i hear rumors about my tech teacher being arrested, i go to class, hes not there, theres a sub plus the other tech teacher in the room. The other tech teacher(Mr Doty) says, Mr tiedemann will not be here for a while, hes ok, his family is ok. He says hes "Under review".

 

So anyway everyone is talk talk talk, rumor rumor rumor, speculation speculation speculation. We each have our idea's as to what happened, everyone is asking teachers what happened, they ALL know about it, but none of them can disclose any information to any of the students*cough ******** cough cough*(im not saying that they really would get in trouble for doing so, i'm saying its ridiculous that they cant).

 

Well, one of the other students in my tech class, has an uncle thats a security guard, and he was there the whole time. APPARENTLY- Mr tiedemann was escorted off of school grounds, and has been charged for "Student labor resulting in his own profit" and "Unfit curiculum", or something to those measures.

 

BOTH OF THOSE CHARGES are COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS.

 

The unfit curiculum one is just because of how they doubt the relevance of what we're taught, but the "student labor for his own profit" one is the most ridiculous of all. He owns a Bronco, the engine blew in the bronco. He baught a Ford Fairlane to swap the engine from it, into his bronco.

 

He pulled the engine, and started to teach us using the rest of the car(using a cutting torch, plasma cutters, right angle cutoff wheel, spot weld drill, air chisel, sawzall, etc...). He then said "If anyone wants to come in, and help tear apart the car, feel free to do so" He took of any of the part of the car that had worth ON HIS OWN. We just came in to help him cut apart the car so it could be thrown in the garbage. You may be thinking that they thought we did work and he sold the parts, which is obviously incorrect.

 

WHAT THE TRUTH IS;

The principal Mrs Wahl, has apparently had it in for Mr Tiedemann since the beginning of the year. The new computer lab will look good in Mrs Wahl's name, and one of the few people standing in her was was Mr tiedemann, so she wants to find a reason to fire him because of his tenior, and it seems to me that this is what she's trying.

 

I'm completely overwhelmed by this, but I've got some help from friends and family, and I'm asking you for some help as well.

 

Here is the phone number for the main office, I couldn't find her actual number: 966-4040.

 

I have a meeting with her monday morning, and god help her she will have one hell of an earful from me.

[Katie Wakeford from Barefoot CNC]

Mustang,

 

Best of luck to you....I went through a situation where the principal hated over half of our teachers, so they quit....I spent my senior year (class of 1998) with substitutes until the 4th quater because nobody would work with this guy. But good luck, and I hope things work in your favor!

[MustangGT92]

Thanks, This is gonna be a while before i can let you guys know of any resolution.

[P_Scott]

MustangGT92,

 

WOW!! What a waste of educational funding. An administrator is willing to put in a new computer lab, where the equipment will be outdated before it's completely installed, over a "tech lab" where the equipment and instruction on its use is timeless and absolutely critical to our nations future economic strength. In my e-mail to Deb Leh I mentioned that your school should contact local manufacturers and cooperate with them to help with funding the curriculum and equipment. After all, the local manufacturers have a vested interest in proper education of future employees. That wasn't the only point to my message sent to Ms. Leh. It now looks as if that message should've been forwarded to Mrs. Wahl. Let us know how you do and if you think it would help, we here on the forum can give her a piece of our collective mind. HTH

[chris m]

Damn Katie, I feel old now..

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Dang! Katie's just a pup! Like what, 23-24 maybe??? ... and she can lay the smack down with the best of us crochety old farts in here.

 

to the young 'uns!

[Rekd™]

True, James.. but youth and tretchory will never overcome old age and wisdom.

 

'Rekd

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

quote:

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... youth and treachery...

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ROFL!!!! That's hilaruous!!!

[Katie Wakeford from Barefoot CNC]

Yes James I am 23, will be 24 in October. But sometimes I don't feel that young...I've experienced and accomplished more in the 4 years I've been working with this business, than my friends have in their entire life. A lot of them don't even know what awaits them after college. But I can't complain I love what I do.

 

Rekd, I'll be old one day!

 

Katie teh enjoying my youth while I still got it!

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

quote:

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...I've experienced and accomplished more in the 4 years I've been working with this business, than my friends have in their entire life...

---

Me too. Been more places and seen more things than most will in their entire lifetime.

 

James teh grateful...

[Thad]

quote:

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Been more places and seen more things than most will in their entire lifetime.

---

James, care to elaborate?

 

Thad

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

I've probably been in hundreds of shops over the years all over the US and a couple in Japan. Soem were machining centers in a guy's barn in the backwoods of the south where he had wood floors, some were shops with 75-100 spindles and everything in between. Been privilaged to see the Shuttle Columbia before the disaster during her refurb. Seen satellite assembly plants, mold shops, press shops, Aerospae shops, CNC Manufacturing facilities, etc.... Seen some things that if I told you, I'd be more scarce that our bud Tim Hollis, or worse.

 

It's been a great 12 years and I look forward to the next 30! It's an exciting industry that is changing and evolving every day. Those that don't change and evolve will suffer the consequences. Observe the mold industry, many have not evolved and they are facing extinction.

 

James teh Manufacturing... it's not just a job, it's an adventure!

[Charles Davis]

There are only three ways to create wealth:

1. Grow it

2. Mine it

3. Manufacture it

 

The struggle you are having is a mis-perception many people have about the state of manufacturing in the US.

 

We hear nighly about jobs going to Mexico, China etc. While some of these (mold making) are highly skilled, most being lost are relatively low-skill assembly jobs that can no longer justify the relatively high wages Americans need to live, and that in many cases are loathe to do.

 

It is probably good, in the long run, that persons in developing countries do the low skilled labor (like putting screws in washing machines). It helps US corporations be more competitive in the global economy, and it gives those emerging economies a base to feed themselves and buy the products our company's make.

 

You need to re-educate the educators about what Manufacturing in the US is becoming; high tech. The only manufacturing that will be done in the US in 20 years will be highly automated, high tech, highly interesting, and high pay.

 

Sorry if I offend anyone with this post; but that's how I see it.

[biss03]

don't be sorry charles, you are entitled to your view of the subject. actually i agree with you on some points.

[A Beneteau]

Maybe I can help,

 

I am a manufacturing engineering teacher at a high school in London, Ontario Canada. I run a fully fuctional manufacturing course with about 100 students passing thru in any given year. I have CNC equipment/manual lathes/ welding equipment/ sheet metal equipment as well as 6 seats of MasterCam. I found my success lies in the enthusiasm of students, however the teacher is the one who drives this enthusiasm. I have on average from a graduating class about 5 machinist apprentices and 10 mech. manuf. technician / technologists (college level) and 6 students who follow a path in Prof. Engineering. I am also participating in the Skills Canada MasterCam competition this year. I lecture the students and give them guidance as well support in whatever they choose to pursue be it a trade or professional designation. The point I stress with these students is that every job in manufacturing plays a key role in the output of a product as well as contributes to the overall success of our country. It is a constant battle to get funding in these restricted budjetary times. I have to constantly look for new partners willing to help with equipment purchases as well as tooling. Many companies sell me tooling and materials at cost, which helps me tremendously in the delivery of my courses. The Ontario government is realizing the need for technology renewal and has pledged a 90 million dollar intitiative for the province of Ontario. I say cudos to them. Now it's up to the administrators to divy up the cash. I expect to get about $20 000 over the next 3 years. We in Canada realize we have fallen behind in the innovation field and that is why my co-hort and I have started a new course this year called Pre-engineering studio and design, whereby the students 17 of them this year are bound for either college or university programs. The focus of the course is to have them understand the process of a design from concept into production. The complaint we were getting from colleges and universities was that students were not choosing a career they wanted meerly following a path they thought would be exciting. Once they were in the post secondary program they would quit or get discouraged, even worse yet would finish a program and found out they hated it. So we said "Then let's do something about it" this sparked two wonderful relationships, one with The University Of Western Ontario and St. Clair College of applied arts and technology in Windsor Ontario which boasts the new Ford Center For Excellence in Manufacturing. A 39 million dollar facility which by the way is a beautiful state of the art facility http://www.stclairc.on.ca/emcentre/main.html and they do accept foreign students. Anyhow I think I have said enough and will leave it at this: manufacturing is alive and well in my neck of the woods.

 

Regards,

 

Andres Beneteau

Manufacturing Teacher

John Paul II Catholic Secondary School

London, Ontario, Canada

[email protected]

[Harryman]

Pretty cool Andres. Thank you for your dedicated work on behalf of your students. They are fortunate to have such a teacher. When I first started in machining, two of the best other young machininsts I met shared the same high school shop teacher. He clearly taught his students well. It matters.

[MustangGT92]

Hey guys, its been a while, and I thought I would give you an update, and everything is factual.

 

We've got a new teacher, he is staying until the end of the year at least. He is a good guy, but not as dedicated as my previous teacher.

 

We're moving out of our tech rooms so they can remodel everything, yep, im getting screwed out of the last month of my tech classes.

 

LUCKILY-

The other tech teacher actually was allowed to design the tech rooms, and how everything will work. I happen to have a good relationship with him, and all of the hard work payed off! Everything should be pretty awesome, he kept me in mind while making the plans.

 

The rooms will still be pretty big, but the auto tech room is getting smaller, and the computer lab IS getting bigger. The space will be used more wisely though.

 

I'm still pissed that we have to move out of our rooms, we're going to be in a normal classroom, but theres nothing we can do about it now. Theyre doing the same thing to the chemistry rooms, and we will be in the gym for the rest of the year for them.

 

I just wanted to thank you guys for all of your support and input. Because of all of your help, and the help of others, I was able to have the impact to get them properly handled and equipped.

[Phil Orenstein]

That's good to hear Paul, that our efforts did pay off. We all wrote letters and emails to your schools officials. I sent letters to our state senators Clinton and Schumer and an article entitled "The Relevance of Manufacturing" to national newspapers and newssites. Although it wasn't pulished in any newpapers, my letter was posted on Congress.org in the "Letters to Leaders". Congratulations and continue to pursue your technology education knowing that this field is the cornerstone of our great nation.

 

Phil

[Thad]

Paul,

 

Glad to hear that something good came of this.

 

BTW, why couldn't they wait until classes were out for the summer before they remodel anything. By having class in the gym, now some gym classes are disrupted. Anyway, I just thought that was strange. Seems like something that could've been done during the "off season."

 

Thad

[MustangGT92]

they "didnt have enough time during the summer months" and didnt want to disrupt school during the start of the year. Bad idea? yeah, I think so. With finals coming up these distractions are just that, distracting. I dont have time for the nonsense as of right now. In the beginning of the year, I would.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Glad to hear things went well.

 

Thanks for updating us Mustang. You'd make any parent proud.

 

Good luck with finals and hope the next year brings you plenty of opportunities to achieve your dreams.

[Thad]

I was looking through some old computer files and ran across the letter I wrote in an effort to help Paul out. I decided to bump up this old thread and see if Paul is still around. Are you still out there Paul? If so, can you give us an update. It's only been 5 years and boy, have times changed.

 

This thread was a mini trip down memory lane. Some of these guys don't post any more. Jimmy Wakeford unregistered? WTH?

 

You guys remember this?

 

Thad

[mgsanchez]

James, Chris, and Thad, your letters are very well witten.

 

quote:

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The truth is that nowadays not many youngsters want to be machinist/cnc programmer/mold designer/mold maker.

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That is so true. The high school that I attended (back when we carved wheels in stone) suffered the same problem. The class size and funding decreased. They changed the course title from "Metals" to Pre-engineering. What a difference a title makes. Soon after the title change, enrollment increased and more money became available.

 

 

Mike

[chris m]

I remember this! Man, I was fired up about this as I think back...and Katie still makes me feel old

 

C