Picture this: You walk into the Heavy Equipment classroom, 27 pairs of eyes look at the door you just walked through, and you are immediately greeted by 27 students with a handshake, unwavering eye contact, and a warm statement such as, "Welcome to Heavy Equipment." That's what you can expect to happen in a room filled with the robust presence of a John Deere 110 Backhoe, sturdy JCB 409 Loader, formidable CAT D6C bulldozer, reliable GEHL RT185 Track Loader and other heavy equipment machines, surrounded by desks, eager students, and two dedicated teachers, Dale Kinney and Jeff Brockway.
The Heavy Equipment program is making its presence known, not only for its operating prowess in heavy equipment but for its remarkable impact on the lives of students and the entire Tompkins, Seneca, and Tioga communities. The Heavy Equipment program at TST BOCES is not just an ordinary Career and Tech class; it's a transformative experience that is shaping respectful, quality human beings ready to conquer the world.
At the core of this transformation are the program's 44 students, 17 of whom are graduating seniors, and 27 are juniors. Quality is the hallmark of this class, with every student expected to live by the golden rule - treat others the way you want to be treated. The lessons in this classroom are not just books, papers, pens and formalities but embody life skills that instill respect and readiness for the real world.
The class's community partners play a pivotal role in shaping these young minds. Companies like JAVA Farm Supply, Empire Tractor, Anderson Equipment, and local entities such as the Groton Fire Department and the Navy come in to share their experiences and offer invaluable insights. This partnership isn't just about learning heavy equipment operation; it's about mentorship and connecting students to the broader community.
In an inspiring gesture, the students recently arranged hand picked sunflowers and zinnias, in vases adorned with heartfelt messages that the students wrote themselves. These floral tokens of appreciation were then hand-delivered by students to various staff members on TST BOCES campus that oversee their program. In a full circle moment, the students surprised the two instructors of the program, Kinney and Brockway, with floral bouquets as a 'thank you' for all they do for the students in the program.
Dale Kinney, who has been teaching this program for a remarkable 10 years, summarized their mission, saying, "We instill value." Value is what every student carries with them, evident from the "Quality" stickers students received on the first day of class. Over half of the students proudly display these stickers, some even on their lockers, wearing them as a badge of honor and a symbol of the quality individuals they are.
The program's success has led to an increased demand for students and necessitated the addition of a second teacher. Jeff Brockway, who owns his own business and served on Heavy Equipment's Advisory Board, Cayuga Tool and Die, is now sharing his expertise and experience to accommodate the growing numbers and help guide students in the right direction.
Field trips are a highlight of the program. Students recently attended the CON/TECH career day in Broome County, where they interacted with business partners, showcasing their skills with heavy equipment machinery. Visits to equipment dealerships, such as Five Star Equipment, provided an opportunity to use simulators and troubleshoot real machinery. Their upcoming trip to Milton Cat promises more hands-on experiences and interaction with cutting-edge equipment in their industry.
But it's not just about heavy machinery; the class goes beyond and teaches the importance of community service. A recent field trip to BJ's Wholesale saw students helping shoppers load groceries into their cars, reinforcing the value of kindness and service to others.
Kinney and Brockway's ultimate goal is clear: to kickstart their students' lives positively after graduation, connecting them with as many community members as possible and instilling the mentality that each student is a quality individual ready to make a difference in the world.
These young individuals in Heavy Equipment are leaving TST BOCES not just with knowledge of heavy machinery but with values, skills, and a network of support that will serve them throughout their lives. They've become quality human beings in every sense, and they're already making a profound impact on our community and the world.
To learn more about the Heavy Equipment Program, please visit us! TST BOCES Career and Tech Center is holding an Open House on Thursday, November 9th from 5:00-6:30 pm. You can meet the teachers, see the students in action and see what other CTE programs are available to enroll in.