Modern automotive program at PHS teaches 'invaluable skills ...

Buy This Photo

During a recent class, David Lilly, left, the new automotive technology teacher at Portsmouth High School, talks about identifying certain kinds of engines and knowing which tools are correct to use on them.Deb Cram/dcram@seacoastonline.com

"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(870,625,window.document.location+zTemplate+'&img="+imgCounter+"')"; var ap = /AP/.test("Deb Cram/dcram@seacoastonline.com"); var courtesy = /COURTESY PHOTO/.test("DEB CRAM/DCRAM@SEACOASTONLINE.COM"); var nfs = /NFS/.test("DEB CRAM/DCRAM@SEACOASTONLINE.COM"); if (ap==true || courtesy==true || nfs==true || "Deb Cram/dcram@seacoastonline.com"==""){ document.getElementById('purchasePhoto').style.display = "none"; } bolImages=true;

December 03, 2011 2:00 AM

"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(870,625,window.document.location+zTemplate+'&img="+imgCounter+"')";

PORTSMOUTH ? A new automotive instructor at Portsmouth High School's career center is hoping to shed new light on a program that has traditionally been burdened with stereotypes.

David Lilly, 32, was hired this year to replace Ken Sommers, who retired over the summer. Lilly formerly managed Carter's European Auto Repair in Greenland and is bringing a lifelong enthusiasm for cars to students willing to get their hands dirty and learn something about the vehicles they rely on every day.

"I felt like it was a good move for me," Lilly said, explaining he has always felt drawn to teaching.

Lilly was an automotive student himself in his youth, when he attended Winnacunnet High School in Hampton. But he said today's program at PHS has evolved considerably from a course that, in the past, was viewed by some in a negative light.

"This isn't the automotive program I grew up with," he said. "There's so much more to it, as far as the different opportunities" for students.

Portsmouth's program is accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, and can be beneficial to all students, said Career/Technical Education Director Diane Canada. "Every 14, 15, 16-year-old should be taking this class," she said. "These are invaluable skills."

There are multiple offerings in the automotive program at PHS. Introductory classes on car care and automotive principles feed into a two-year program that would help not only a student hoping to become an automotive technician, but also anyone interested in areas such as sales or manufacturing, Lilly said.

The fact the class has attracted a number of female students indicates to Canada that it has broad appeal.

This past week, introductory students were getting hands-on experience with the parts of a car engine. They were expected to take the engine apart and identify each component.

"I'd like to consider them life skills, and not just job skills," Lilly said, pointing to the value of knowing a thing or two about what goes on under the hood of a car.

In the PHS garage, students have an array of cars they can work on. They even bring their own cars in for some free work.

For student Cam Geeslin, 15, an admitted "auto head" from Rye, the automotive program's main draw is its primary difference from the rest of the school day: "This is fun."

Geeslin said he enjoys the opportunity to get away from a desk, get his hands greasy and work on "self-directed learning." The Rye teen said what he's learning now will help him attain his goal of enrolling at the Naval Academy and earning a degree in mechanical engineering. "It's just great knowledge to have," he said.

For Canada, that is precisely what the automotive program, and all programs at the career center, are about.

"It's beneficial, going into post-secondary education, to have these skills," she said. "They're getting a step up when they go on to college."

Reader Reaction We reserve the right to remove any content at any time from this Community, including without limitation if it violates the Community Rules. We ask that you report content that you in good faith believe violates the above rules by clicking the Flag link next to the offending comment. New comments are only accepted for two weeks from the date of publication.

Source: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20111203-NEWS-112030303

bf3 craigslist nc chronicle baked alaska baked alaska battlefield 3 release battlefield 3 release