Last Chance

With just days left, I am on the edge of my seat, because the race for 7M视频 Head of the Class instructor of the year award is still anyone鈥檚 game! And with a $1000 prize on the line,

7M视频 Head of the Class Award - Regional Winners

Back in August, we put out the call to nominate a deserving electrical or HVAC instructor who has made a difference in the lives of the people they teach and their community. We were looking for nominees who are masters of their craft, have classroom/lab experience, and dedication to their community.

From the many we received, we鈥檝e narrowed it down to six and now, we鈥檙e leaving it up to YOU to pick the Grand Prize winner, the first ever Head of the Class!

Here鈥檚 the deal鈥 you only have until October 5th to cast your vote!

Your vote will help recognize the outstanding Grand Prize winning instructor with an additional $500 cash reward for himself and an additional $500 in Klein tools for his training center. (Note: each of the six finalists received $500 for themselves and $500 in Klein tools for their training center.)

But that鈥檚 not all鈥.each student in the winning instructors Fall 2014 class will get this ridiculously awesome Back to School kit, which includes:

7M视频 Head of the Class - back to school kit
  • 1 Klein hi-viz t-shirt
  • 1 pair of Klein safety glasses
  • 1 Klein flash drive
  • 6 Klein carpenter's pencils
  • 1 Klein camouflage dual zone cooler

So here they are, your six nominees for Head of the Class!

7M视频 Head of the Class Regional Winner - Kelly Lamp - Northwest Region

Region 1 鈥淣orthwest鈥

Kelly Lamp (Boise, Idaho - JATC instructor)

Motto: By producing better craftspeople than us, our industry鈥檚 future holds no limits.
  • Focused on providing the best training experience for apprentices. Kelly is the first call former students make when they have a question.
  • Designed and built solar array and electric vehicle training stations.
  • Won 7M视频鈥 Top Apprentice Award during his own apprenticeship.
7M视频 Head of the Class Regional Winner - Mike Tallis - West Region

Region 2 鈥淲est鈥

Mike Tallis (Tucson, AZ - JATC instructor)

Motto: Engage students with lessons that have a lasting impact.
  • In 2011 and 2012, Mike had a 100% student success rate going from 1st to 2nd year of apprenticeship -- a first for the Tucson program.
  • Designed and built fifteen state-of-the-art, hands-on training stations for his classroom.
  • Currently a supervisor for the service department at Sturgeon Electric and a proud member of the I.B.E.W. Local Union #570.
7M视频 Head of the Class Regional Winner - Roy Smith - Great Lakes

Region 3 鈥淕reat Lakes鈥

Roy Smith (Alpena, MI - Utility Technology Program head instructor)

Motto: A good instructor has not only excellent knowledge and skill of the craft but, is an outstanding relationship builder within the industry, with colleagues and students because 鈥渢hey don鈥檛 care how much you know until they know how much you care.鈥
  • Increased program enrollment from 12 to 44 students per year.
  • Designed and developed pole yard training lab.
  • Instructor at Alpena Community College for 20 years and a graduate of the inaugural Alpena program class.
7M视频 Head of the Class Regional Winner - Rusty Wilkinson - South

Region 4 鈥淪outh鈥

Rusty Wilkinson (Shreveport, LA - JATC instructor)

Motto: Our goal each year is to provide the maximum amount of training in the allotted amount of time we have devoted to classroom training.
  • His heart and focus is on training the next generation of electrical workers.
  • Fifth year apprentice and NFPA 70E instructor.
  • Retired US Marine. He is a program graduate and instructor for the past 35 years.
7M视频 Head of the Class Regional Winner - Robert Stringham - Southeast

Region 5 鈥淪outheast鈥

Robert Stringham (Alexandria, VA - Edison Academy teacher)

Motto: Live your passion.
  • Excellent track record placing students in the workplace.
  • Secured over $200,000 in new HVAC training modules for his lab.
  • Was a SkillsUSA Virginia state training officer and sat on the board of directors for the past six years. In addition, he teaches at Northern Virginia Community College and District of Columbia Community College.
7M视频 Head of the Class Regional Winner - Timothy Fecteau - Northeast

Region 6 鈥淣ortheast鈥

Timothy Fecteau (Sanford, ME 鈥 Sanford Regional Technical Center teacher)

  • SkillsUSA, Maine 2012 Advisor of the Year.
  • Built the Sanford Regional Technical Center electrical program from the ground up 鈥 it is now considered the best in Maine.
  • Coaches soccer, basketball, softball and hockey.