The Automotive Technologies Program has completed a self-review in preparation for the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) Review.  This review will provide a national certification that demonstrates program excellence.  

Our instructors, Dave Shafer (Bachelor of Education Degree / University of Toledo) and Tom Carter (Bachelor of Education Degree /University of Toledo, Magna Cum Laude) are both ASE Certified Technicians.  That means they have proven their knowledge and skill through the certification process of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.  Our instructors must re-test every 5 years in order to remain certified.

The Automotive Technologies Program at Clay High School has had a facelift this past summer.  Lighting in the lab was improved by replacing the blown florescent tubes and repairing the fixtures that were inoperable. The lab facility received some needed attention with a thorough cleaning and painting of the ceiling and walls in addition to an epoxy floor coating designed to emulate the high end of the industry we serve.  The lab was scheduled to receive an update within our five year rotation using weighted career/tech funds and district Permanent Improvement (PI) dollars.  Both of these funding sources are restricted to a limited number of uses.  By combining these two funding sources, the automotive technologies lab has been properly updated.

Using career tech funding, new tools were obtained.  These include a replacement of a failing in-ground auto lift with an 11,000 lb. two-post asymmetrical lift, and the addition of some high tech tools.  The use of computer assisted diagnostics is not new.  The All-Data system has been used by Clay students for years.  The newest additions are the Verus Wireless Diagnostic Information System and the Pronto II Digital Alignment Machine!  These items provide the program with real-world, high-tech tools that are the most current in the industry.  We have the capacity to train our students for work at any dealership in northwest Ohio!

The returning seniors are impressed with the new look of the facility and look forward to getting out in the shop to work with customers.  It looks and feels like a dealership.  Seniors will be required to schedule work with the public and maintain communication with those customers as the vehicle repair or preventive maintenance activities are performed.  As they complete their final year at Clay High School, seniors will have earned up to 18 credits at Owens Community College toward their associate degree!  They are most excited about the opportunity to get right to work.  The Automotive Program has had 100% job placement for the past three years in a row!

A detail of a quality program that is often overlooked is the commitment and enthusiasm of the instructors.  Mr. Shafer and Mr. Carter are active with their industry advisory committee and work hard to make sure their students are ready for work and school when they graduate.  This dedication has resulted in 100% placement of graduates for several years!  Dedicated work directing students in developing critical thinking and problem solving skills has produced highly valued employees for several local employers.

Mr. Shafer and Mr. Carter are only two of the dedicated staff members at Clay High School.  We are proud of our programs, our students and our staff here at Clay.

Kneeling left to right: Lawrence Dunbar, Taylor Shields, Laura Rogers, Cody Sosbe, Blaine Peters, Malcom Morales, Ryan Wuertz, Matt Platter.

Middle Row left to right: Mr. Carter, Jacob Ferrer, Chris Sasse, Cody Slinker, Brandon Gill, Ryan Fuelling, Greg Reichert, Derek La Fountaine, Gordon Lester, Mr. Shafer

Top Row left to right: Alex Guthrie, Alex Meyers, Daniel Kohler, Nick Bishop, Damyn Earl, Nolan Sheahan, Doug Barney, Morgan Seymour, Cody Gore