Auto-tech class instructor expects best from students

Most 14-year-olds haven’t had much experience working on automobile transmissions, rebuilding brakes or rear axles, not to mention understanding the technical manuals that go along with those projects.

As the auto tech vocational instructor, it’s John Sinsel’s job to teach Shadle Park High School students the technical vocabulary and how to tackle these projects.

Because of the outstanding job Sinsel does, he was recently chosen the Washington State New Career and Technical Teacher of the Year by the Washington State Association of Career and Technology.

Shadle principal Herb Rotchford describes Sinsel as “unassuming, very modest, a real genuine salt-of-the-earth kind of guy.”

Sinsel teaches five classes to all grade levels and both male and female students. “I show them how to follow technical directions and read technical repair information, and I show them how to safely use tools and automotive equipment.

“Our goal is to meet industry standards. Students would consider a 95 percent a pretty good grade, but I always use this example; you take your car to a shop and have the brakes repaired. Do you want those brakes to work 95 percent of the time, or do you want them to work 100 percent of the time. I set the bar high, and they meet those expectations,” said Sinsel.

St. George’s reschedules ‘Birdie’

The performances of “Bye, Bye Birdie” at St. George’s School have been rescheduled for 7 p.m. May 13 and 14 in the school’s Founders Theater.

Tickets are $3 for adults, $2 for K-12 students, free for preschoolers. To reserve tickets, call 466-1636 or download and send in the ticket reservation form found on the school’s Web site at www.sgs.org.

An opening reception for the Senior Art Exhibit has also been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. on May 13 in the Gilbert Art Gallery on the school’s campus. The exhibit runs through May 23.