June 15-18, 2026 June 15-18, 2026 Sacramento, CA Sacramento, CA
Join the Community of Automotive Educators
FOR AUTOMOTIVE TEACHERS, BY AUTOMOTIVE TEACHERS
About Us
NACAT is the North American Council of Automotive Teachers and is a professional organization dedicated to supporting and advancing high school and college automotive educators across North America
Why Join NACAT?
You’re Not Alone
Whether you’re just starting your teaching journey or have decades of experience, NACAT connects you with a network of educators who understand your challenges, share your passion, and help you succeed
Connect with fellow automotive instructors from across North America Share ideas, challenges, and solutions
The Automotive Educators Conference
Our annual event offers hands-on, industryrelevant training and professional development.
Industry Connections
Partnerships with manufacturers, publishers, and training providers.
Mentorship Programs
Get guidance from experienced teachers and give back by mentoring new educators
Resources That Save Time
Lesson plans, classroom tools, and training library
Scholarships for Teachers & Students
Supporting professional growth and student success
NACAT News
Stay updated with the latest articles, trends, and opportunities.
In This Issue:
NACAT Update
Ed Martin, NACAT President
New and Renewing NACAT Members since October 1, 2025
Midwest Auto Care Alliance TTEF Student Scholarships Now Open
The Automotive Educators Conference: Exhibitor and Sponsor Information
The Automotive Educators Conference: First Time Attendee Meeting
Free NACAT Webinar: "Creating Meaningful Change..."
The Automotive Educators Conference: Registration Open!
New NACAT Benefit: NAPA Autotech eLearning Training Courses
Applications Open for Propane Autogas Vehicle Inspection Grant Program
NACAT Mentor Program: Assessment Techniques
The Automotive Educators Conference: Special Events
NACAT Member Benefits
Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Corner
High-Voltage Electrical: An Important Part of Any Curriculum Curt Ward, Professor at Joliet Junior College
VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo Opens 2026 Educator of the Year Application
NACAT School Membership Available
Wrenchway Free Resources for Students and Educators
The Automotive Educators Conference: Hotel Accomodations
Press Release: SkillsUSA and NACAT Partner
New Allied Member: iCEV
Looking Back at the 2007 Conference in Long Beach, California
News DEADLINE DATES
February 2026 issue - January 10, 2026
April 2026 issue - March 10, 2026
June 2026 issue - May 10, 2026
August 2026 issue - July 10, 2026
October 2026 issue - September 10, 2026
December 2026 issue - November 10, 2026
The latest advertising size and rate information can be found at www.nacat.org.
- 2027
/ Treasurer
- 2027
Allied Members
Dear NACAT Members,
NACAT Update NACAT President Ed Martin
Greetings fellow NACAT’ers, I hope you all are looking forward to the upcoming holidays and that your programs are on track for success.
I am your NACAT President Ed Martin writing you from colorful Colorado. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I can’t help but reminisce about all the things I am thankful to have in my life. Many of you may not know this, but since my last letter in September I had yet another cancer diagnosis (this latest is my 4th) and boy it certainly caught me by surprise. I’m thankful because we caught it early, the surgeons were able to get all of it, and my recent scans show no cancer anywhere. No further treatments needed, which is great, but the thing I am most thankful for is the unconditional love and support from family, friends, colleagues, and my family right here at NACAT. I love you all and I am so thankful for each one of you.
I wanted to mention that our Roundtables continue to be well received and attended, just this last week we were thrilled to have our very own Curt Ward lead a session on starting and EV program at your school. If you missed it, check it out in the Member Resources tab on the nacat.org website.
Registration is now open for our 2026 Conference in California! Make sure to get registered as soon as possible to secure your spot.
The last thing I’d like to remind you about is the upcoming February webinar event titled “Creating Meaningful Change One Shop and One Student at a Time.” The date is Thursday February 05, 2026, at 7:00 PM Central Time. Hosted by Aaron Klesick, Department Chair at Skagit Valley College. This is open only to NACAT members, you can register for this event on the website at nacat.org
I’d like to end my letter by wishing all of you the warmest holiday greetings possible, and I am very thankful for you.
Warmest Regards, Ed Martin
Board of Directors
Chairman of the Board 2025 - 2026
Steve Gibson
Board Member 2024 - 2027
Riverside, California Rafael De Leon Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico
David Carter Cedar Lake, Michigan
Board Member 2025 - 2028
Steve Boyd Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Charles Klasman Lithia Springs, Georgia
Kimberly Night Santa Clarita, California
Krystle Roherty Beaver Dam, New Brunswick
Doug Abshire Hagerstown, MD
Ian Andrews Columbus, OH
Monica Baeza San Pablo, CA
Dan Baumhardt Leesburg, VA
Nathan Brindley Kalamazoo, MI
John Cameron Hagerstown, MD
David Carter Cedar Lake, MI
Nate Collins Ottumwa, IA
Richard Cox Hays, KS
Rafael DeLeon Trujilo Alto, PR
Dominic Dimare Suffern, NY
Tony Edwards Fort Worth, TX
Leonard Fitzpatrick Elburn, IL
David Foor Columbus, OH
John Gendrich Columbus, OH
Erik Glass Grinnell, IA
Randy Golding Phoenix, AZ
Braden Grossman Leavenworth, KS
Jim Gullen Thompsonville, MI
Chris Hamann Port Clinton, OH
Joseph Hart Clinton Township, MI
Thomas Hussey Kahului, HI
Wade Johnson Harper, OR
Robert Kenney Troy, NY
Thank you to those who have joined or renewed their membership since October 1, 2025.
Jeffery Kidd Chicago Heights, IL
Michael Lindstrom Atchison, KS
Roy Lopez Yakima, WA
Thomas Millard Littleton, CO
Mark Mitchell Columbus, OH
Dusty Morrill Yakima, WA
Robert Norman Pittsburg, KS
Ron O’Brien Calais, ME
Floyd Robbins Bulls Gap, TN
Renato Rosales Brooklyn, NY
Anthony Rozman Cleveland, OH
Derek Spann Columbus, OH
Richard Smith Olds, AB
Eric Strong Rochester, NY
Mark Swank Prunedale, CA
Don Sykora Cicero, IL
Michael Tatham Rio Rancho, NM
George Vail Des Plaines, IL
Andrew Van Donselaar Ottumwa, IA
Joseph Wagner East Dundee, IL
Jamie Yax Brecksville, OH
For Automotive Teachers... ...By Automotive Teachers
MWACA is proud to support the next generation of automotive service professionals through our student scholarship program. With generous support from TTEF donors, MWACA offers a minimum of four $1000 scholarships each year to help students pursuing a career in the automotive service industry cover tuition and educational expenses.
Each scholarship recipient also receives a weekend training pass to attent the VISION HI-TECH TRAINING & EXPO -- one of the industry's premier events for hands-on technical and management training. Instructors of the recipients are invited as well, and all are honored on stage during VISIONS's awards ceremony.
TTEF Student Scholarship Eligibility Requirements (Application Deadline is December 5, 2025):
• Must be currently enrolled in an automotive service program
• Must be pursuing a caraeer in the automotive industry
• Must complete the full application form
• To receive the VISION training pass, recipients must be able to attend VISION 2026
Sacramento, CA Sacramento, CA
Become an Exhibitor or Sponsor today!
Logo on NACAT Website
Spotlight in NACAT News
½ page article in the NACAT News
One sponsored email per year
only $350peryear BECOME AN ALLIED MEMBER Your Allied membership includes June 15-18, 2026 June 15-18, 2026
Welcome Allied Member graphic on social media platforms
NACAT Allied Member logo to use on your website
Priority sign-up for Automotive Educator Conference
Discount exhibitor space for Automotive Educator Conference
Bold listing in the directory for Automotive Educator Conference
Opportunity for exhibitors to participate in an attendee engagement activity, where attendees collect exhibitor signatures on postcards for a prize drawing. Exhibitors are encouraged to bring a prize for the giveaway.
Take the stress out of managing your scan tools with C.A.S.
With over 30+ years of OEM scan tool experience, C.A.S. provides Automotive Technology programs with the equipment, software and support necessary to help your students succeed with their training.
C.A.S. IS YOUR LEADING PROVIDER
•A single source for all OEM tools
• Subscription renewal reminder service
• Complete 'Turnkey' packages offered
• Remote Programming Services
SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS INCLUDES
•Initial “Train-the-Trainer” program
•On-going technical support
•Remote support for all laptops
•We repair what we sell
•No charge service loaners Contact us today for the
HOSTED BY NACAT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CAT
Where automotive educators connect, learn, and lead
What is the Automotive Educator Conference?
The Automotive Educator Conference is an annual event uniting automotive educators and professionals from North America. It offers networking, workshops, seminars, and hands-on training, promoting excellence and collaboration in automotive education.
Why Join the Conference?
Professional Development: Access workshops and training sessions to enhance teaching skills and stay updated on industry trends
Networking: Connect with peers, industry professionals, and experts for collaboration and resource sharing
Access to Resources: Gain access to educational materials, curriculum development tools, and industry partnerships
Inspiration: Get inspired by fresh ideas, innovative teaching strategies, and success stories from fellow educators
Recognition: Showcase achievements, share best practices, and gain recognition for contributions to automotive education.
ONLINE ELEARNING TRAINING COURSES
Receive access to their Online eLearning Training Course Catalog.
The training catalog, featuring automotive technical, selfdevelopment, and business management courses are available to our NACAT Members
NEW Teacher Resource
nacat.org for automotive teachers, by automotive teachers
Applications Open for Grant Program Equipping Students with In-Demand Propane Autogas Skills
The Propane Autogas Vehicle Inspection Grant Program, offered by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), is providing schools across the country with valuable training and resources needed to prepare students to work on propane autogas buses, trucks, vans, and more.
This innovative grant program provides U.S. educational institutions with up to $7,500 in funding to integrate propane-specific curriculum and equipment into their existing automotive training programs. The goal is to equip students with real-world experience maintaining and servicing vehicles powered by propane autogas.
“The Propane Autogas Vehicle Inspection Grant Program gives students an opportunity to learn these technologies in-depth, preparing them for successful careers after graduation supporting fleets that are increasingly turning to propane autogas,” said Joel Stutheit, senior manager of autogas business development at PERC.
Now in its second year, the grant program has already supported 24 schools in 16 states, training hundreds of students to inspect, service, and maintain propane autogas engine systems. Each participating school receives propane-specific curriculum, as well as funding to purchase propane autogas training equipment and to send an instructor to a “Train the Trainer” course. Eligible institutions must already offer an automotive program.
The application window is open through December 19. To learn more about the grant program or to apply, visit propane.com/autogasgrantprogram
TURN YOUR CLASSROOM INTO A POWER LAB!
Ready to spark curiosity and build future-ready skills? The EV-100 Brushless DC motor Student-built Kit brings cutting-edge technology straight to your students’ hands.
• Hands-On Learning – Students build, test, and explore real 3-phase motor technology.
• Future-Focused – The same tech powering electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.
• Safe & Curriculum-Ready – Designed for engagement and confidence-building.
ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES
Thursday, January 8
REGISTER NOW! REGISTER NOW!
As a NACAT member, you have exclusive access to lesson plans ready for use in your classroom!
Topics include: Topics include:
Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Systems
Starter Motor Composition
Ignition System Repair
Flow-Control Device
Transmission Lift Linkage and more!
IN THE BAY
is the world’s best-selling lift safety training program. It’s the industry standard on how to properly operate any vehicle lift and is the only program developed and backed by the technical experts at the lift safety watchdog Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) and leading lift manufacturers.
Millions of students, professional technicians, and at-home mechanics have learned from Lifting It Right how to lift a car, truck, or SUV without causing injury or property damage. The interactive course teaches how to spot, lift and lower a vehicle, maintain load stability, and more.
With an annual subscription, you can offer the interactive course to all your students. Most students complete it in about an hour and will receive a certificate of completion after passing the final exam.
OR CALL (607) 756-7775
Lifting It RightTM safety manual second edition completely updated and expanded. Order today at autolift.org/store.
Hybrid & electric vehicle corner
Curt Ward
Professor at Joliet Junior College
High-Voltage Electrical – An Important Part of any Curriculum
As I write this article, the fall semester is nearly finished and in less than a month the winter break will provide some welcome time off. Increasingly, every class we teach across the curriculum has more electrical content. With the ever-increasing number of hybrid and electric vehicles on the streets, it makes sense to blend high-voltage electrical into the curriculum. In this month’s article I will highlight some of the ways I incorporate high-voltage electrical into my lessons. I believe this topic will generate lots of interest and excitement in today’s electrically connected students.
Let’s begin by highlighting a topic from my last article, high voltage safety. If the voltage is greater than 30V AC or 60V DC, the cabling and the connectors will be orange and there will likely be high-voltage warning labels present. It is important that proper personal protective equipment, tooling, and processes are used to protect the participants and the vehicle electrical system. Any classroom presentation, or lab activity, on shop safety is a great opportunity to introduce high-voltage gloves, high-voltage power down and power up procedures. It is also an opportunity to use a class III rated multimeter to teach the live-dead-live process of verifying the high-voltage system was properly powered down.
The use of lithium batteries on the low voltage system is increasingly common on both hybrid and electric vehicles. The Hyundai Tucson is a great example of this technology (See Figure 1 – 12 Volt Lithium Battery). Although 12-volts is still the norm, Tesla is using a 16-volt system. The operation, testing, and replacement of these batteries are different from a low voltage system that uses a flooded or absorbed glass mat battery. Students can perform modified charging system output tests to help understand how different these batteries are from the typical flooded or AGM battery. The same lithium technology that is used in the low-voltage system batteries is also used in the high-voltage battery system and this may be a great opportunity to introduce these into the class.
Most semester long automotive brake courses now include a lesson on regenerative braking systems. During regenerative braking the electric motor is used as a generator to convert a portion of the vehicle’s kinetic energy back into electricity to recharge the battery. An in-depth look at the operation of the drive motor and inverter (See Figure 2 - Rivian Inverter) will help the students to better understand what occurs when the wheels rotate the electric motor. Topics that can be discussed include motor/generator operation, AC electricity, IGBT and MOSFET transistors, and electromagnetic fields.
Continued on Page 19
Figure 1: 12 Volt Lithium Battery
Figure 2: Rivian Inverter
The air conditioning, or climate control class, is another great place to include high-voltage electrical. Most hybrid and electric vehicles use a high-voltage compressor to cool the passenger compartment, the power electronics, and the high-voltage battery. Many of these thermal management systems also generate passenger compartment heat using high-voltage PTC heaters (See Figure 3 – PTC Heater). Proper service procedures must be followed to ensure the systems are powered down before any high-voltage components are serviced. The refrigerant system also uses different refrigerant oil and requires separate service equipment to prevent cross contamination.
Teaching the relationship between resistance, voltage, and current during an Ohms Law lesson can be a bit dull. Spice up the discussion by introducing the Tesla Cybertruck 48-volt battery. The power window system is a great way to demonstrate the relationship between voltage and current when working on systems with a relatively fixed resistance. The increase in system voltage significantly lowers the current demand and results in smaller wiring sizes on the Cybertruck window motor circuits as compared to vehicles that use a 12-volt system. Have the students explore the wiring diagrams and see the differences.
Introducing high-voltage electricity into each of the subject areas makes the transition to hybrid and electric vehicles easier, and it makes traditional automotive curriculum more complete. In most cases these changes can be made with minimal updates to the existing curriculum and without investing huge sums of money.
I will finish this article with the same offer I make after each of my presentations. If you are interested in getting started in the process of adding hybrid and electric vehicles to your curriculum or want more information, please feel free to reach out. I am more than willing to sit down in-person or online and share my experiences. Are you looking for a classroom textbook? Reach out to Pearson and ask for a review copy of the Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicle text that Jim Halderman and I co-authored. It is a comprehensive text covering all the latest information on the subject.
“Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.”
B.F. Skinner
VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo 2026
Educator Of the YEar Application Now Open
The VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo has opened applications for its 2026 Educator of the Year Award, with an application deadline of January 9, 2026.
VISION Educator of the Year: VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo launched the Educator Think Tank Program with the goal of bringing together Automotive Technology educators in a learning-driven and exciting environment to brainstorm, collaborate, and learn. With the success of the program comes a desire to recognize these educators that have dedicated their careers to the Automotive Technology Industry and that teach and empower the future of the industry. This honor will be awarded to an individual whose commitment to their program and students sets them apart. They will have demonstrated innovative and successful teaching methods and a drive to continually adapt and move forward in their teaching field.
Figure 3: PTC Heater
SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP
NACAT’s New Membership Option
Register multiple educators under one membership
Offers up to five automotive education team members
Access to NACAT’s wealth of resources at a time
Professional development, top-tier training, and a collaborative peer network
Join today and give your school the NACAT advantage!
SIGN UP NOW!
for automotive teachers, by automotive teachers
Wrenchway Free resources for automotive & diesel instructors to share with students and use in the classroom
Were you aware that Wrenchway offers many free resources for auto, diesel, and CTE students that instructors can share with their students or use to enhance the classroom experience and better prepare students for industry? No? Let me share some with you.
Top Shop Pages: Allows students to compare different shops while seeing photos, videos, and frequently asked questions. They can learn about compensation, benefits, work environment, and more. Instructors can use the pages to help students gain insight on what to look for when applying for a first job.
Wrenchway Shop Talk: An online automotive and diesel community where students can interact with shops, technicians, schools, and other industry professionals. When students answer a poll question, they are entered into a monthly drawing to win $1000 ($500 for the student and $500 to the high school auto/ diesel/CTE program of their choice).
Webinars and Roundtables: Virtual events for students, technicians, and educators.
Technician Pay Tool: Students can explore the salaries of 3,000+ technicians across the US while filtering by industry and years of experience.
Beyond the Wrench Podcast: Jay Goninen, Co-Founder & President of WrenchWay, performs weekly interviews of industry professionals to share their stories, experiences, and insights.
Students can create a free account at wrenchway.com/signup or download the WrenchWay Mobile App to get started!
TEACHING DIGITAL VEHICLE INSPECTIONS
GETS NEW TECHNICIANS READY FOR THE WORKFORCE
Our program provides a hands-on learning experience, using the same digital tools and tablets that are now essential in automotive service centers across North America. Students will learn to conduct thorough vehicle inspections, incorporating photos, videos, and detailed reporting—all while using the latest technology. Upon course completion, students will earn a Digital Vehicle Inspection Certification, giving them a competitive edge as they enter the workforce.
WHY CHOOSE US?
Industry-Relevant Training:
Our curriculum reflects the increasing use of tablets and digital inspections in today’s automotive shops, ensuring your students learn the skills they need for tomorrow’s jobs.
Hands-On Learning:
Students engage in practical exercises with realworld scenarios, gaining confidence and competence with the tools and processes used by top technician nationwide.
Certification:
The Digital Vehicle Inspection Certificate is a val your graduates are ready for the demands of a tech-driven automotive
Flexible, In-Person Instruction:
Our course is designed to be easily integrated into your existing automotive program with minimal disruption, delivered in 5 to 20 hours of classroom instruction, based on your needs.
New Allied Members New Allied Members
Please consider thanking them for their support by giving them the opportunity to earn your business.
Looking Back at the 2007 NACAT Conference: NACAT and CAT onboard the Queen Mary
Since the 2026 Automotive Educator Conference once again aligns NACAT with California Automotive Teachers (CAT) for the June 15 - 18, 2026 conference in Sacremento, California, I thought it might be fun to look back a the last time NACAT and CAT joined forces to produce an outstanding conference.
The year was 2007. Pete Kaufmann, professor from Mount Wachusett Community College, was NACAT President. Wayne Olson was the conference vice president who was assisted by Rick Escalambre. The conference was held onboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California.
• Fred Hines and ATech Training earned the Outstanding Support to Automotive Education Award.
• Kevin Nagy won the NACAT Education Foundation New Teacher Scholarship.
• David Briscoe won the Erjavec - Delmar New Instructor Scholarship.
• Bruce Amacker won the Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year Award.
• Brandon Belken won the Mitchell 1 Automotive Technology Outstanding Student Award.
• Family Activities included a tours of the Nethercutt and Peterson Museums, a tour of Universal Studios, a trip to Disneyland, a tour of Knott's Berry Farm, and more.
• The Trade Show hosted 34 of our great friends.
• The 8th Annual Valve Cover Races were run.
• Extreme fun, fellowship, and learning occured in an amazing environment.
STAY IN THE KNOW
C l i c k h e r e t o
s i g n u p f o r t h e N A C A T e N e w s l e t t e r
