News Spotlights
Spotlight 1:
Rory Perrodin Named Top Automotive Educator in the Nation
The halls of the automotive technology building are casual. Students and faculty pass with a friendly, "Hey, how ya doin'?" They're dressed to literally get their hands dirty underneath the hood while the sounds of equipment and work echo in the background. No fanfare, it is not where one might expect to find the person named the nation's top automotive educator.
But, that is exactly where Rory Perrodin spends the majority of his day, teaching a host of automotive classes from engines to suspension and steering. He, too, feels overwhelmed by the honor.
"This is the funniest thing I've ever heard. You take some tests because it's part of your job and the next thing you know the governor wants to shake your hand," said Perrodin.
The "some tests" Perrodin refers to are a series of eight exams required for Automotive Service Excellence/National Automotive Technical Education Foundation (ASE/NATEF) certification. Rory received his award as the 2009 Educator of the Year by ASE/NATEF on Nov. 19 in New Orleans, La. for earning the highest scores of any educator in North America.
"It's nice to hear somebody say you're a good instructor," said Perrodin. "But, it's really a testament to the group of instructors I work with. We're always pushing each other to know more, to teach in a way that is best for the student."
Still, the strongest testament to the quality of an instructor is the word of the students. Perrodin's students offer many examples of his presence in the classroom and how his top test scores play out in his teaching.
"One day, I didn't understand. I asked him a question after class. He got the part, cut it in half, and showed me how it worked. That's how bad he wanted me to understand," said Orion Austgen, an automotive student. "If anyone should have won the award, it should have been him. He's that good."
"I've never respected a teacher as much as him. He knows so much, but is a down-to-earth guy," said Corey Ensor, an automotive student.
Perrodin has been an instructor at MCC-Longview for 10 years. He says he was drawn in part by the automotive program's national reputation.
"He said, 'If you want to see the best of the best, go to Longview,'" Perrodin said of a comment made by a representative of General Motors. "I think we have great resources and a wonderful group of dedicated instructors that every day care about doing the best they can for the learning of the student."
Perrodin's honor as Educator of the Year marks a big change from his first experience as a technician. When he couldn't afford to repair his first car, Perrodin picked up a manual at the local library, fixed the car and was hooked.
"This is definitely an honor. I am floored," said Perrodin. "Now I have to live up to it."
ASE/NATEF certification is required by the majority of the automotive industry and is conducted for instructors, technicians, and technical programs. The MCC-Longview Automotive Technology program and all instructors are ASE/NATEF certified.
For more information on the MCC-Longview Automotive Technology program, visit mcckc.edu/automotive.