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Brandon High Auto Tech Class Benefits Students Academically, Socially

The class focuses on more than just being a grease monkey

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By LAURA FRAZIER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 26, 2009

BRANDON - Automotive technology teacher Vic Nieves said students in his class and the electric car club he sponsors learn a lot more than how to tune an engine or change a tire.

"A lot of the stuff they're learning involves aerodynamics, algebra and geography," he said.
In addition, some students involved in the car club he organized at Brandon High in September have seen improvements to their social and behavioral skills.

Most notably, he said, two students who struggled academically and behaviorally at the beginning of the school year — before becoming immersed in class and club activities — "turned around like you wouldn't believe" by the end of the first semester.

"These two guys are keeping up with everyone now," Nieves said. "Their whole attitudes changed, and the discipline problems went away."

Parents and students appreciate Nieves' enthusiasm.

John Heffner, whose freshman son, Brian, is a member of the car club's pit crew, said Nieves goes beyond teaching students how to be better grease monkeys.

"With the club, Brian sees he's part of a team," Heffner said. "The whole concept is that it's not one person who wins, it's the whole team. That's a good thing to learn."

He said the club's successful stint at the Feb. 14 electric car race at the University of South Florida showed students firsthand the benefits of responsibility and careful planning.

"Mr. Nieves set the crew up to win by making sure everyone had an assigned job and everyone knew what to do," Heffner said. His son "had the 19mm wrench in his hands the whole time in case something happened. One was in charge of batteries, another one was in charge of the jack … . They were very well prepared."

Brandon junior Eric Daub, one of two drivers in the race, said students appreciate Nieves' no-nonsense but easygoing demeanor.

"He's a fairly relaxed teacher, and he'll let us sit and chat while we're working on a car," Daub said. "But when we got a bunch of guys messing around in the shop, he's quick to stop them from doing anything not very intelligent."

Daub plans to attend college and become a chemical engineer — after adding Nieves' class to his senior schedule next year. He figures if his plans change, auto tech skills will give him something to fall back on.

"If I find out that college isn't exactly my thing, I've got something I can do," he said.

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523

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