How did Welding Technology & Intro. to Manufacturing and Welding end up back at Echols after all these years you ask?
We began a small welding program at the Tuscaloosa Juvenile Detention center in 2009 out of thin air to say the least. We had several trials and tribulations, but managed to turn the program into a model program for our state as far as detention facilities go. When my wife began teaching at Echols, she told me that Mrs. Terry was very interested in what we were doing at the TJDC. I offered several times to load up my portable rig and come spend an afternoon or two a month with some students if she thought it would help. That never came to pass, but Mrs. Terry did approach me before Christmas 2011 with a plan for our own shop and a 1st period pilot welding class. We worked out the time issues and with her support and many donations from business and industry in town we were able to put together a fully functioning welding shop in 6 days over Christmas break. It was a labor of love and all is worth it as we watch the kids work and get better at welding every morning! It is time that kids are taught again that working with their hands and getting dirty in a skilled trade can earn them a great living and that it is not something that should not be looked down upon because it is a so-called "Dirty-Job". As we progressed into the 2012-2013 school year, we we were fortunate to have an in-house CTE Welding Technology program back into the Tuscaloosa County School system after many years. Due to Mrs. Terry's vision and help from many people behind the scenes, we will have high school students from Tuscaloosa County High, Sipsey Valley High, and Northside come to Echols for Applied Welding I and Applied Welding II. We are also involved with Shelton State with many of our students earning Articulated credit and Dual Enrollment Credit Awesome things continue to happen for Echols Middle and Tuscaloosa County Career Technical Education.
