April 27, 2007

Damascus HS' Ortiz Wins MCPS Teacher of the Year

ROCKVILLE, MD-Raul Javier Ortiz, an auto technology instructor at Damascus High School, was named Montgomery County Public Schools Teacher of the Year at the April 26 Champions for Children gala.

Ortiz spent the first 20 years of his career tuning car engines. Now, he's shifted gears and heads the successful Automotive Technology Program at Damascus.

But Ortiz teaches more than auto technology skills. He also serves as a role model for what his students can achieve. He inspires his students to continue learning, both by sharing his personal story and by providing guidance and support.

"Mr. Ortiz is a very special teacher," says Robert Domergue, principal of Damascus HS. "He builds student confidence and skills while building relationships. His students admire and respect him and know that he cares about them."

During his work in the auto industry as a technician, Ortiz served as a mentor to student interns. Realizing that the best way to help people was to teach, he earned 21 credits to receive his teaching certificate and passed all the required national certification tests to achieve his Master Tech Certification. To top that off, he acquired 36 credit hours for his master's degree equivalency. Many of Ortiz's students are inspired to continue their educational careers because of his personal story and his guidance.

Since coming to Damascus in 2002, Ortiz has guided the school through the rigorous processes for both the National Automotive Technician's Education Foundation and the Automotive Youth Educational System certifications-the highest level of credentials for an automotive technology program.

He has built partnerships with local dealers and repair shops and places students with employers. He shares information about trade schools and college programs with his students, and frequently brings school and industry representatives to talk to them.

Knowing that a well-rounded education is essential in any career, Ortiz emphasizes writing, reading, verbal communication, information technology and math skills as he works with students in his shop.

Grateful parents recognize Ortiz's impact on their children. They speak of his classroom skills, high expectations and ability to encourage students to take responsibility and problem-solve for themselves. "Our son looks up to Mr. Ortiz and speaks of him daily," says parent Michael Byrne. "He is both a role model and mentor to my son, so much so that my son has chosen auto mechanics as a vocation and will be attending NTI in the Carolinas next fall."

In 2006, Ortiz received the Career and Technology Education Teacher Award of Excellence in the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Career cluster. He also was featured on Fox News in November 2005 as "One Who Makes a Difference."

Ortiz will compete with teachers from other counties for Maryland Teacher of the Year. That winner will advance to the national competition.

The Teacher of the Year was selected from among three veteran teacher winners of the Marian Greenblatt Excellence in Teaching Awards. The other two veteran teacher award winners were Philip D'Agnese of Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary School, and Noreen Gale of Oakland Terrace Elementary School.

Read more about Mr. Ortiz in the Montgomery Gazette's article (also unabridged article, no photo).

Back left to right-BOE member Sharon Cox; veteran Daniel Shannon; Team River Runner founder Joe Mornini; SV auto students Woody Mornini, Chris Afoukwak, Lauren Hancock; SVHS principal Suzanne Maxey, MCSATF Ex. VP Steve Boden, and SVHS auto tech instructor John Maher at 2006 donation ceremony.

Front left to right-veterans Diane Cochran and William Shannon.

Additional photos of the ceremony may be viewed at the Seneca Valley High School Web site.

Gina Bleggi, Kennedy Institute participant, is raised into the newly donated van during the demonstration of the vehicle's hydraulic lift system.

Montgomery County Automotive Students from Thomas Edison High School of technology show off the newly painted tire cover bearing the ATF logo that their class completed for the donation ceremony. Left to right are Kenneth Cruze, Jung Woo, Blair Nussbaum.

Students Robert Osbourne, Lisa Luyo, and Jimmy Hawkins unveil the newly painted rear tire cover bearing the ATF logo and words "Donated by Montgomery County Students Auto Trades Foundation. Looking on are Lori Plaxen, participant with Kennedy institute, Harold Redden, ATF President, and Steve Boden, Foundations Vice President.

Damascus high school student Jimmy Hawkins passes the key for the hydraulic lift equipped van to Mr. Steven Edward of the Joseph P. Kennedy Institute, while Auto Trades Foundation President Harold Redden and Vice President Steve Boden look on.

Damascus Principal Robert Domergue addresses donation recipients, staff, and students during the donation ceremony.

Rick Glenn gives an overview of the AYES program.

Board members and business reps tour the Damascus HS Automotive shop at the AYES launch.

John Bierman (left) of Criswell Honda hands over the keys for a new Honda Civic to Raul Ortiz, Auto Technology Instructor at Damascus HS, for use by students. It was one of two vehicles provided by ATF as trainer vehicles.

Thursday November 9, 2006

Gift Vehicle Ceremony

On Thursday, November 9, at the Seneca Valley High School auto lab a special event occurred.

Seneca Valley High School Automotive Technology students and Thomas Edison HS of Technology Automotive Body students of the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation, Inc. (MCSATF) reconditioned and donated a seven passenger van to Team River Runner. This Montgomery County non-profit organization helps disabled veterans of the Iraq and Afghan wars to recuperate in health and healing by providing new challenges through whitewater kayaking on the Potomac River. Team River Runner, founded by Walt Whitman HS teacher and veteran rafter Joe Mornini, created this volunteer activity to assist the disabled veterans regain some control of their lives. Team River Runner will benefit by having this donated van available to transport disabled veterans from Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospitals for rafting activities.

Seneca Valley High School automotive students, their instructor John Mayer, principal Suzanne Maxey, MCSATF President Harold Redden, MCSATF Board of Directors, MCPS staff, Team River Runner representative and others gathered for this donation ceremony and listened attentively as Sergeant First Class Diane Cochran, one of the disabled vets present to accept this van, expressed her gratitude. She stated "Today I am in the presence of youth and I feel thankful and very inspired. Students, please know that as you go through life, as you grow and mature, always remember that what you give to others will come back to you …10 fold…I see it every day… Thank you!"

This project provided an opportunity for the MCSATF students to put into practice their automotive skills and also earn student service learning hours, while developing a deeper appreciation for the concepts of charity and community involvement. This particular donation ceremony provided a venue for the auto students to honor those veterans who have given so much for their country.

Sharon Cox, Montgomery County Public Schools Board of Education member, spoke regarding the genuine and insightful student service learning reflections, the opportunity for each automotive student to see themselves as "someone who impacts (positively) on their community", the "tremendous benefit of this partnership among the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation and the community."

The MCSATF is a non-profit organization established cooperatively by the Montgomery County business and professional community and the Montgomery County Public Schools to provide a unique method of training high school students for skilled positions in the automotive field: the Mini-Dealership, a licensed used car dealership. The students receive valuable on-the-job training that will prepare them for higher educational opportunities or direct entry into the automotive job market. In addition to hosting three used car sales per year, the ATF students also donate one vehicle per year to a worthy non-profit organization in Montgomery County. For additional information, phone 301-929-2190.

At Damascus H.S. on Thursday, November 10, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. the STUDENTS from the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation, Inc. (ATF) donated a renovated seven passenger handicapped accessible van, with a hydraulic lift. This year’s recipient was the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute; their Rockville center provides daily services to 55 developmentally disabled adults and children, many of whom are confined to a wheelchair.

The ATF automotive students from Damascus H.S. and Thomas Edison H.S. of Technology worked diligently in renovating this vehicle. This project provided an opportunity for the ATF students to put into practice their automotive skills and also earn student service learning credit, while developing a deeper appreciation of the concepts of charity and community involvement.

Attendees at the Donation Ceremony included Harold Redden ATF President, Steve Boden ATF Executive Vice President, Robert Domergue Damascus H.S. Principal, MCPS school personnel, approximately 75 ATF students and their teacher Raul Ortiz, and numerous Kennedy Institute consumers and staff. Damascus students presenting the vehicle included Lisa Luyo, Jimmy Hawkins, and Robert Osborne. Accepting this vehicle in behalf of the Kennedy Institute was Steve Edwards, Division Director of the Kennedy Institute site at Grandin Avenue, Rockville. He stated that this vehicle would be “a blessing to many!” and expressed gratitude to the ATF students and Foundation for providing such a wonderful project. Kennedy Institute consumers in attendance included Lori Plaxen (a student in the Community Companions Program), Gina M. Bleggi and Blaine Mansfield (both adults in the Community Options II Program).

For further information about the ATF donation program and information for potential recipients, see our ATF in the Community page.

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Friday, January 14, 2005

AUTOMOTIVE TRADES FOUNDATION PROGRAM AT DAMASCUS HIGH SCHOOL ACHIEVES AYES ACCREDITATION

RECEIVES TWO DONATED TRAINING-VEHICLES.

On Thursday, January 13, 2005 at Damascus High School, the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation, Inc. (ATF) held its monthly Board meeting. ATF was instrumental in facilitating and organizing the national certification of this prestigious Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) designation. AYES certification can only occur after achieving the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) qualifications and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifies the program. Only the top automotive tech programs nationwide achieve this honor. Raul Ortiz, the Damascus Automotive Technology Program instructor, was praised for his skill and dedication in preparing his students/auto tech program for this designation.

Over fifty local automotive business personnel were present and were encouraged to partner with the new AYES program at Damascus High School. Many pledged their immediate involvement to provide AYES student auto tech interns full-time paid internships in the summer between their junior and senior year and part-time after school at a participating dealership. AYES students are challenged both in the classroom and at the dealership. As dealerships mentor these students, the dealerships gain a valuable pipeline for qualified future employees.

Manufacture support for AYES participation was evident as Criswell Honda presented a 2001 Honda Civic, provided by American Honda Votech Program, to the Damascus Automotive Technology Program for use as a student trainer. A second vehicle, a 2005 Pontiac Vibe, will soon be donated to the program by General Motors Gift In Kind International, as a second student-trainer.

Kudos to the Damascus Auto Tech Program. They are the second of the four ATF program locations in Montgomery County to earn this distinction. The auto tech program at Thomas Edison High School of Technology was the first to attain certification as an AYES location; Gaithersburg and Seneca Valley H.S. Automotive Tech programs are in the process of becoming certified in the state of Maryland.