Getting to Know...Jacob Craiger, Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College

Getting to Know...Jacob Craiger, Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College

As I begin my fourth year teaching automotive technology at our local community and technical college, I am in awe that my two loves, cars and teaching, have collided and provided me with a unique career.

All my life, I have been fascinated with vehicles and wanted to learn all I could about them. There was a time when I considered my love of cars to be only a hobby and did not foresee that I would have a career centered around the automotive industry.

In kindergarten, we were asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. My answer was a teacher. I never visioned the two would connect.

Throughout my growing up years, I kept my interest in cars. This led to a connection with my neighbor, Bennie Sturgill, who had many years of experience in the automotive industry, and he became my mentor. We worked on anything that had an engine and scoured junkyards and automotive sales as he taught me about vehicles and how to buy, sell, and trade.

When my plan to become a high school history teacher faded and my short stent in the funeral business was over, I returned full-time to what I loved: the automotive industry.

I had attained an automotive degree at our local community and technical college and later became ASE certified. During my time at college, I was often reminded of how many teachers were in my family, including two of my aunts, Sharon Burton and Debi Burton Sexton, and was often encouraged to pursue an education degree. I also attended church with a retired education professor, Roberta Pratt, who had 44 years of experience in education and who inspired me greatly. Her inspiration has helped me develop my teaching philosophy and classroom/shop activities to this day which is long after her passing.

While in automotive school, my automotive professor, Ronnie Daniels, one day mentioned that he would retire some day and that that was another avenue we should consider in the field. I remarked that I would love to have his job but never thought it would go any farther than that.

In February 2020, I received a call from my former professor asking if I would consider a part time teaching position in the automotive department at the college. He also mentioned that he was retiring that year and that he thought I would be a good fit for the position.

Later that year, I was hired as the Automotive Technology Program Coordinator at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, and I remain in that position.

I am a lifelong southeast Kentucky resident. I enjoy working on cars along with buying, selling, and collecting them. In addition, I am fond of going to auctions, riding four-wheelers, horseback and mule riding, eating in exquisite restaurants, and traveling.

I serve as Automotive Technology Program Coordinator at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, am an ASE Master Certified Technician, SkillsUSA Chapter Advisor, Phi Theta Kappa Coordinator, Honorable Kentucky Colonel, and an Instructor of the Kentucky School Bus Driver Training Program.

During my tenure as an automotive instructor, I have enjoyed working with industry partners and networking which has allowed my program to grow and students to attain employment upon completion of the program. I am a proud member of NACAT and have benefited greatly from the opportunities it affords automotive teachers. My program and students have been enriched by the networking opportunities that have come from this organization. In a unique position, it is always beneficial to meet with others and learn from each other’s triumphs and mistakes.

I am honored to be an educator and pour back into the community that helped me get my start. I hope I can help my students the way others have helped me. The cycle of education is beautiful.

The effect a teacher can have on the life of a student can never be measured, and the exponential effect that life can have on others has the potential to change the world. The future is entrusted, in great part, to the teacher. What we teach and how we teach will shape the world for years to come. When pliable minds are not properly instructed, they often feel like failures. This leads to schools losing their importance, and the individual may become a drop out and, unfortunately, many become a societal problem. This is why we must maintain an individualized view of students, encouraging them to maintain their identity, as we are all different, much like our fingerprint.

As teachers, we must help our students to identify their strengths and weaknesses and learn to work with each student so they may reach their full potential in the classroom, on the job, and throughout life.

A “cookie cutter” education is a detriment to many students and has had an adverse effect on many lives. It is my hope that as a teacher, I can have a positive impact on every student that walks though my door. I strive to maintain an open mind and to learn daily, so I may be confident in my subject matter to enable me to teach everyone in the room as I seek to give each student an opportunity to succeed within individualized education.

For a teacher to instruct all, from the top student in the class, to the one who struggles, to the one who needs inspiration, they must first be fluent in content matter to personalize the instruction. A memorization of content simply isn’t enough. The teacher must be a lifelong learner, always striving to become better, learn more, and remain up-to-date on the latest developments in our field. A teacher must be open to criticism and not become high-minded when complimented. We all have successes and failures daily and there are always ways to make improvements.

Education, particularly in the technical field, must go beyond content matter. I hope my students also know me as a counselor and supporter and have life enriching experiences during their time in my classroom. It is my sincere wish that every student who attends my classes will be proud to say that they completed the automotive program at SKCTC.