Matt Montoya
Winlock High School hired a new shop/agriculture teacher and his name is Matt Montoya. Montoya has taught at other schools and he is still learning the ropes in Winlock. He will be the teacher who helps your child learn a trade and trades are just as important as college degrees. It's those trades that keep America going, from plumbers to welders and so much more.
Montoya did not go to college to become a teacher, he went through he Career and Technical Education which basically means, "CTE provides students with not only career and academic skills, but soft skills that are needed for the modern workplace." Montoya took his years in the trade to become a teacher.
Montoya understands the need to teach students a trade. "I started my metalworking career during my senior year of high school," he said. He was inspired by his teacher and he is now paying it forward. "My high school welding instructor showed me a trade that I essentially built my life from," he said. "Going into my senior year I still didn't know what I was going to do after graduation. I want to help students discover what they are passionate about like how he (my welding instructor) helped me."
Winlock shop class has older equipment, it is time to replace it in order for students to learn safety correctly. He stated, "in order to teach students a trade you need the tools they will commonly use in industry. Many of those we currently do not have and the costs add up fast. With a somewhat small budget it can be hard to do this. One goal I have is to find resources to get our students and class the tools we need." This is where the community comes in. If you would like to donate any equipment to the school, just contact Montoya at Winlock High School. It's not easy keeping trade equipment up to date since it changes just like technology.
Montoya was asked why he is doing this job instead of just going to work, he stated, "Trades are in high demand! Nearly all trades are short employees. Graduates can pursue a career and start making good money immediately out of high school with no college debt." There are many students in Winlock who can not afford a college degree, this trade will get you into the job market immediately. Good trade workers are hard to find. Winlock will be the place to look for them for future businesses.
Montoya would like his students to learn, not just trades but other skills. He stated, "Critical thinking, problem solving, and special awareness are important while learning how to work safely both alone and with others. Especially when potentially dangerous tools and equipment are involved." It is important to learn a trade and safety is just another part of the job that allows you to go home to your family every night.
Montoya is on a course to help our students, he wants to see them work in trades, especially since trades are so important to the American economy. It's got to be a passion to teach shop. After talking with Montoya, there is no doubt he loves shop and is looking forward to getting equipment that he can work with safely. The students will be the ones to benefit from this, learning new trades with up to date equipment would be a blessing for all.