With almost 300 million cars driving on the streets across America, understanding how they run is more important than ever (Hedges and Company). To help with the vastly growing industry, AGHS offers an automotive class.
The two year course begins with an introduction class; the first half of this class puts students in a classroom environment where they learn supplemently with modular tests to prepare students. After that, they shift to hands-on work with engines and other parts of the vehicle.
The second class, Advanced Automotive, is fully hands-on. The work is centered around the vehicles themselves and working on cars brought in by students and staff to get necessary repairs and services.
Running the show is: CTE District Chair and AGHS alumni Jason Stewart.
“The Autoshop teacher [when I was in high school] said ‘You’re gonna teach here someday’ and I said ‘No I’m not,’” Stewart said. “Then his son took over.”
Once his son left, he recommended Stewart to teach the class, and from there, he got the job.
Now, Stewart teaches four classes at AGHS; the two automotive levels, criminal justice, and, the newest addition, aviation.
“[Teaching 4 classes] is hectic,” Stewart said. “Criminal justice and auto are second nature to me. The aviation ones are new, but I enjoy learning.”
Despite his busy schedule, Stewart has spent years fine tuning a course that allows students to do anything they need to on cars in the future– professionally or personally.
“They are skills anybody can use,” Advanced Automotive student Nicholas Reyes (‘26) said.
Cars are a part of everyday life and having the skills to work on them is crucial, however that’s not the only benefit of being in the class.
“They’re gonna teach you about electrical work too,” Reyes said. “Tips and tricks that help [get you started] if you like soldering and stuff like that.”
Life skills that anyone can take and make something out of is the model of CTE classes. Whether its Automotive, Criminal Justice, or Aviation, the goal of a CTE at AGHS according to Stewart is to “Give students the tools not just to compete, but succeed.”
