In Central Ohio, a surge in technology demand is paving the way for a future rich with opportunities for skilled workers. Leading the charge in preparing the next wave of industry professionals are military veterans Brian Parks and Bill Pencil, who are using their unique experiences to guide high school students at Tolles Career and Technical Center in Plain City, Ohio.
Traditionally, trades schools and technical colleges have sought the expertise of veterans to fill teaching positions, drawing on their real-world experience. Parks and Pencil, who teach automotive technology and welding respectively, embody this ideal, bringing lessons of discipline, leadership, and technical prowess to their students.
Parks’ background as an Army mechanic and Pencil’s passion for welding, sparked during his time in the Navy, make them natural fits for these roles. “I’ve been welding ever since,” Pencil shared with WBNS in Columbus.
Transformative Teaching
Initially, neither Parks nor Pencil anticipated a post-military career in education, but both have found it immensely fulfilling. “Nothing makes a bigger impact in life than teaching,” Parks remarked, emphasizing the profound influence educators can have.
In the Columbus area, where infrastructure jobs are on the rise, the duo is committed to developing technically skilled employees who can also lead with the values they honed during their service. “It goes beyond just welding,” Pencil noted, while Parks added, “Work ethic and attitude are probably my top two.”
They underscore the importance of skills that aren’t typically included in traditional curricula, such as a firm handshake, which Parks insists is “a big skill that people don’t have anymore.”
Building a Legacy
According to Dr. Todd Hoadley, superintendent of Tolles Career & Technical Center, the veterans bring a “big picture mindset” to their teaching. “Now they’re training the next generation,” Hoadley stated, highlighting their continued service to the nation through education.
Teaching, much like the military, presents its own set of challenges. Parks describes it as “the best job I’ve ever had, but the most stressful, and the hardest job I’ve ever had … but the most rewarding.”
Pencil takes pride in watching his students, particularly female students, master welding skills. “I get to help them develop and grow,” he said, underscoring the importance of maintaining a strong workforce. “We have to keep the workforce strong,” Pencil asserted, with a vision of a robust future.
Their ultimate goal is to instill leadership qualities, hoping their students will become industry leaders and pass on these values. “I want … this country strong,” Pencil concluded. “That’s what it’s about.”
