Modern agriculture is increasingly dependent on complex, ever-changing technologies. The same applies to manufacturing in the 21st century. To meet this need, Nebraska needs a team of well-trained workers and a team of capable teachers to deliver technology-focused education to students.
Eric Knoll, Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has developed a number of strategies to meet these needs.
Knoll leads ALEC’s Skills and Engineering Science (STS) teacher training program, and his innovations improve the curriculum and foster partnerships with industry, Nebraska Community Colleges, and the State Department of Education. Under his leadership, the STS program has received increased financial support from the industry for internships and fellowships, as well as increased opportunities for experiential student learning in workshops and laboratories.
Knoll is pursuing the state’s vision to help STS students take teaching positions not only in Lincoln and Omaha, but in communities across the state. He works with industry and partner agencies to improve programs that enable mid-level technical professionals to become STS educators in Nebraska.
The Association for Vocational and Technical Education honored Knoll for these accomplishments by naming him post-high school teacher of the year in District 5, which is made up of 16 states, including populous states such as California, Washington, and Colorado. Knoll is being considered for the Society’s Teacher of the Year award, which will be announced in November.
Noll’s program develops future STS teachers in a range of technical fields including welding, plumbing, robotics, construction, electrical installation, precision machining, computer/machine tool programming, and automated manufacturing.
“I appreciate Eric’s willingness to try new ideas, especially when it comes to education and learning,” said Sidney Kobza, assistant director of career and technical education at the Nebraska Department of Education. “He asked good questions and gave insight into how things work.”
Kobza points to Knoll’s effective collaboration with her department on two projects. The Technical Skills Workshop is a summer program that helps educators strengthen their technical skills in the classroom. As part of this work, Knoll “launched reading comprehension courses and focused on these workshops to help develop classroom reading strategies,” Kobza said.
In addition, Knoll is partnering with the Department of Education on the JumpStart teacher training program. The four-day curriculum helps educators earn professional education licenses and help mid-career Nebraskas transition to STS teaching positions. The program focuses on laboratory and safety management, classroom management, career field resources, and course and unit planning.
Before attending Husker College, Knoll taught industrial technology at Lincoln High School for 24 years and then worked as a curriculum specialist for the district STS program for 7 years.
“Eric’s demeanor and patience make him a strong teacher-teacher,” Kobza said. “Eric can break down different processes so that a person can understand them, and do it in a way that helps a person learn. He sees the big picture and highlights components, such as how to safely manage a crowded lab for effective learning.”
Nebraska community colleges are important partners in the university’s STS program, Knoll says, as they focus on working closely with industry and meeting the needs of companies.
“Building these relationships in the 2+2 program has been very rewarding for these students,” he said. “They bring the latest technology and technology to the industries they work with.”
Young people need to understand that 21st-century manufacturing companies are “not the old 1950s manufacturing,” Knoll said. “What they do is innovative, amazing and creative. So these would-be employees aren’t going to sit in a welding booth all day and sniff the smoke. They will do many different things”, and in many cases “Working with robots that help with welding and manufacturing”.
ALEC director Mark Balshweid said Knoll is working with Nebraska’s five community colleges on a 2+2 joint program that allows students to seamlessly transition from one institution to another. Balschweid, professor of agricultural education, said Knoll stands out for its diligence and efficiency in helping students meet their individual needs.
“A core tenet of the cohesiveness and success of this transfer program is that Eric advises each student one-on-one as they begin and progress through the community college program,” Balschweid said.
“Teaching is not for everyone and it’s not an easy career,” he said, “but when you love what you do, you can make an impact in your community and make a difference in children’s lives, and there’s nothing more satisfying than that.”
Post time: Sep-23-2022