Happy Father Day!
Automotive Teachers: The Unsung Fathers in the Classroom
By Rafael A. De Leon
In the fast-paced, hands-on world of automotive education, something profound happens beyond the torque specs, wiring diagrams, and scan tool diagnostics. Inside these shop-class walls, automotive instructors are not only teachers—they often become surrogate fathers to their students. It’s a role few speak about, but many live every day.
Like a father, an automotive instructor takes on the responsibility of shaping not just technical minds, but whole individuals. We guide, correct, protect, and—most importantly—believe in our students when they are still figuring out how to believe in themselves.
Teaching More Than Wrenches and Wiring
In many ways, what we do in the classroom mirrors the responsibilities of a parent:
- Discipline with Purpose:
- Just like a father, the automotive teacher enforces rules not out of control, but out of care. From safety glasses to torque specs, we insist on discipline because we know one misstep in a shop can lead to disaster. We teach responsibility, not for our own benefit, but to prepare them for life beyond the classroom.
- Encouragement During Setbacks:
- When a student strips a bolt, misdiagnoses a misfire, or fails a certification exam, we don’t scold them—we guide them through it. We help them see that mistakes are stepping stones, not stumbling blocks. This patience, this steady belief, is what a father figure brings.
- Celebrating the Small Wins:
- A father is the first to cheer when a child rides a bike without training wheels. Similarly, we celebrate when a student reads a wiring diagram correctly for the first time, nails an oscilloscope waveform, or completes a brake job with confidence.
- Life Lessons Along the Way:
- While teaching about ABS systems or EV charging protocols, we also teach integrity, work ethic, and accountability. We remind them that showing up on time, doing honest work, and taking pride in their craft will carry them further than any scan tool ever could.
Real-Life Classroom Moments
Consider the student who’s never held a wrench before, but through steady guidance and a few “dad talks,” learns to rebuild an engine. Or the young person drifting through school who finds purpose in learning diagnostics—and in doing so, finds direction in life. There are those moments when we loan a student lunch money, help them find a part-time job, or attend their graduation with pride. These are not just teaching moments; they’re fatherly moments.
Some students come from homes where fathers are absent, or support is minimal. In those cases, our role becomes even more crucial. We become a source of structure, confidence, and encouragement that may not exist elsewhere in their lives.
The Legacy We Build
Like fathers, automotive educators build more than just knowledge—we build legacy. Our students go on to become technicians, shop owners, engineers, and sometimes even teachers themselves. We don’t just teach how to fix cars; we help build the character of the people who will fix the world’s vehicles for years to come.
This Father’s Day, let’s honor the unique role that automotive instructors play—not only in the training of the next generation of technicians but in the molding of young lives. In many ways, we are their second fathers. And that may just be the most rewarding part of the job.