ATEC Academy Celebrates Second Cohort of Graduates
ATEC is proud to share that the ATEC Academy has graduated its second cohort of aviation maintenance educators. These instructors and trainers had the unique opportunity to become students at our “Take Off” session, hosted by the Moore Norman Technology Center in Norman, OK. Following this immersive kickoff, participants seamlessly transitioned to a virtual learning environment throughout the summer and fall of 2024, culminating in a safe landing this past November.
The three-month course provided comprehensive training in active teaching strategies, student behavior management, assessment and evaluation methods, lesson planning for the classroom and hangar, and current trends in higher education, with a specific focus on teaching pedagogy and best practices. Trainees engaged in assignments tailored to enhance their teaching skills and interactions with students—an immersive approach aimed at improving both student and instructor retention and persistence rates.
These ATEC Academy students represent a diverse group of instructors and trainers who teach and train in both educational and corporate settings. The seven graduates completed observations, interviews, and teaching reflections, and submitted a 30–45-minute video showcasing their teaching skills in action. They also participated in virtual workshops covering topics such as New and Innovative Teaching Apps, Shop Rubric Development, and Behavior Management. Surveys and feedback sessions further allowed graduates to share their insights and experiences from the course.
ATEC Academy is honored to recognize the second graduating class:
- Phillip Craig, Tarrant County College
- Steven Dark, SkyWest Airlines
- Michael McIntyre, Franklin County Technical School
- Dan Paradis, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
- David Pearson, SkyWest Airlines
- Fabiola Urwibutso, Zipline International, Inc.
- Gregory Woodruff, Clover Park Technical College
All graduates either highly recommend or recommend this course to new aviation maintenance instructors, citing the in-person Take-Off session and the opportunity to network and learn from instructors across the country as key highlights.
ATEC would also like to extend its gratitude to the facilitators and mentors who contributed their expertise to provide a rich learning experience for the cohort:
- Sean Glassberg, Lead Facilitator, Educator Training & Consulting, Owner
- Michael Sasso, Airframe & Powerplant Chief, Aims Community College
- Sheryl Oxley, Aviation Program Coordinator, Tulsa Technology Center
- Teresa Pinkston, Campus Director, Tulsa Technology Center
- Marshall Pryor, Faculty, Portland Community College
- Justin Benard, Aviation Instructor/Coordinator, Moore Norman Technology Center
- Lee Dow, Director of Aerospace & Transportation, Moore Norman Technology Center
Looking ahead, ATEC Academy is excited to announce three cohorts for next year:
- March 15-16 in Norfolk, in conjunction with the ATEC Annual Conference (register here)
- June 3-4 at Tulsa Tech, in conjunction with the Choose Aerospace teacher training (register here)
- Fall 2025 Location and Date TBD
ATEC Academy remains dedicated to equipping aviation maintenance educators with the tools and skills necessary to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals.