Freshman AG mechanics is a great class that is highly enjoyed by those who join it. In AG mechanics you learn about the safety of using mechanical and welding equipment, you also learn different welding techniques. Joining AG mechanics can help you make friends and it is super fun because everyone cheers each other on.
In the classroom Mike Ellington, the teacher, uses color coding and gives very precise instruction and a lecture. He explains everything you need to know and works hard to keep everyone safe while also letting them have fun. Once you know all the instructions, he gives you a turn to experiment while he’s supervising. Ellington teaches basic shop skills which in the future will help you get hired easier.
Ellington has a good background of teaching AG mechanics and has taught for thirty years. He enjoys teaching because when he was in high school his AG mechanics teachers would help him learn life skills he uses a lot. He tries to be patient with his student because he has ADHD which helps him understand when students can’t focus. His goals for his students are to better them so they can get hired easily, keep these life skills, and be able to do work on their own homes without hiring anyone. His class is a very fun and successful class.
Leo Mendoza, an AG mechanics student, states, “he is a very good teacher and always helps out his students to keep them safe.”
While we were observing the class we saw a mixture of welding, lectures, and paperwork. We could tell that many people taking the class were excited to weld and experiment with different materials. The class gets separated into two groups so everybody gets a chance to weld and learn new information.
In AG mechanics Ellington teaches you how to gas weld, basic shop skills, plumbing, and more. He makes it very clear to the students that these skills they are learning will help them throughout adulthood. He believes that taking AG mechanics can help a lot more than most people think.
When Ellington was interviewed he stated, “when I was younger learning AG mechanics I learned a new set of skills for my life.”
AG mechanics would be a very good elective to take throughout high school. Taking AG mechanics can help you with life skills and make it easier in the future to get hired. Ellington thinks taking AG mechanics your freshman year can be challenging but overall a fun experience.
