April President's Update

By Drew Barnes, Vale School District

Greeting Fellow NACAT members,

Happy spring 2025! Man, it has been a busy and fast school year. It is hard to believe that we are already past spring break and seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, as we continue to work hard to reach the end of yet another year. Nearing the end of the school year, also means that we are now just a couple months away from the 2025 NACAT Conference, June 9-12 in Detroit Michigan. All of us here at NACAT are very excited about this upcoming conference. Whether you are a NACAT veteran or a first time attendee, this conference is shaping up to be one of the best yet. First and foremost, the courses that are being offered are outstanding! We have a wide variety of topics to choose from, if you haven’t had a chance to check these out, you need to do so. Next, the conference location, I can’t think of a more fitting place than the Motor City Casino-Hotel. If you haven’t had a chance to do so, now is the time to get registered and make those travel arrangements.

Interested in scholarships? There are still some opportunities available. One that is still open is the Instructor of the Year award being offered by Tomorrow’s Technician and B'laster. Also, if you are a 1st time instructor bringing a spouse, please consider applying for the Lisse Duvic Memorial Scholarship. This $500 scholarship includes one guest package, 2 Awards Lunch tickets, and the remaining balance towards the hotel stay. The recipient will be honored at the 2025 NACAT Conference Awards Lunch.

Don’t forget about the 2025 NACAT Membership Drive, we have some awesome prizes to give away! But, you need to act now, as the Membership Drive closes on April 30. This year we have two ways for you to win our membership drive prizes! We will have 2 winners for a social media giveaway, and 2 winners for those who referred new members. New members will be able to say who they were referred by in their application, so make sure they mention your name! Those who get a referral will be entered into a drawing. Here's how to enter:

• Refer any new members to NACAT.

• Share, comment, tag 5 educators you know, and like this post.

• Remember, only NACAT members are eligible for the drawing.

NACAT’s mission has always been for automotive teachers, by automotive teachers and our election process is not any different. All NACAT members can vote for the NACAT Board of Directors. Elections are currently being held electronically. Please refer to the email sent out by Heather Sebben last week to cast your vote. Voting ends on April 15, 2025. We appreciate your voice and the continued leadership of this amazing organization.

Again, I need to offer a huge thank you to all of our 2025 Sponsors and Allied Members for their gracious support of our organization and the 2025 NACAT Conference. The majority of these sponsors and individuals will be at the conference and expo, please be sure to show your support by stopping by and visiting with them during the conference.

I am looking forward to seeing each of you in Detroit in June!