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18 | Transportation Today Wisconsin™ Online Edition: www.transportationtodaywi.com

Vel Phillips Memorial High School: Where Engines — and Careers — Start

students are meeting industry standards before Beyond the classroom, students step
they even graduate. directly into the industry through paid youth
And they’re rising to the challenge. apprenticeships with certified mentors and
At the end of first semester in 2025-26, dual-credit opportunities at a nearby college.
90% of students in Auto Tech 2, 3 and 4 passed Through the school’s chapter of
their ASE Student Certification exams. SkillsUSA, they can even build and race a
Memorial junior Edduar has always liked Formula 1–style car, transforming technical
working on machines and understanding how knowledge into teamwork. In May, Memo-
they work, so earning his ASE certificate rial’s team will put their car to the test on the
“And my mom, wow, she is so proud of me.” famed track Road America in Elkhart Lake,
That pride is earned in moments both Wis., competing with other schools in the Wis-
big and small. Working on vehicles donated consin Formula Student USA project.
by local dealerships, their own cars and In fall 2025, the program received a
even teachers’ cars, students repair alterna- major boost when Tokheim was awarded the
tors, track down oil leaks, fix broken fuel $50,000 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools
lines — and recently — learned what to do Prize for Teaching Excellence. The invest-
when a rabbit is found nesting under the ment is already expanding opportunities for
hood of a car. students.
“I can scan the car, I can diagnose the “It was a game changer, really,” Tokheim
problem, and I can be the one to fix it. Here, said. “Having the funding here to continue this
we all get to be like doctors,” Edduar said. program is huge. Ultimately, it’ll lead to stu-
Madison Metropolitan School District ogy isn’t just an elective. It’s a launchpad. The scale and types of repairs the stu- dents being more successful, more exposed to
The clink of metal on metal echoes Memorial offers Automotive Technol- dents experience have only grown since the industry and getting kids excited.”
through the auto lab at Vel Phillips Memo- ogy Courses 1–4, along with Outdoor Power major upgrades were made to Memorial’s Back in the lab, another engine turns
rial High School. A blow torch flares to life. Equipment, building skills year-over-year. career and technical education spaces through over. Another problem gets solved. Another
The sharp, clean scent of Lava Soap lingers in Technology and engineering teacher Miles the passing of a 2020 facilities referendum. student sees a future taking shape — not just
the air. Under raised vehicles and over open Tokheim works closely with a community The new auto lab features hydraulic lifts, under the hood, but beyond high school.
hoods, students in safety goggles move with advisory board to ensure what students learn oversized electric garage doors and almost
purpose — less like a class, more like a profes- matches what the local workforce needs. any tool a mechanic could want, from bore-
sional shop in full swing. In 2024, the program earned accredita- scopes to brake bleeder kits. The professional www.madison.k12.wi.us
Here within the Madison Metropolitan tion from the National Institute for Automotive space makes the program a competitive, top-
School District (MMSD), automotive technol- Service Excellence, a distinction that signals tier training center.

Arrowhead Automotive Continued from Page 1

nance, warning lights, basic inspections, repair strengthen employability, and provide a direct Industry Partnerships and Career certifications (G1, A4, A5, A6) and plans to con-
estimates, service scheduling, and how to com- connection between classroom learning and Exposure tinue pursuing additional credentials, reinforcing
municate effectively with repair professionals. workforce readiness. the same standards students are preparing to
This course equips students with lifelong auto- Arrowhead Automotive is supported by meet. Students regularly encounter ASE-style
motive knowledge while also serving as an entry A Student-Run, Real-World Shop strong partnerships with local dealerships, questions and performance expectations, build-
point into technical automotive coursework. Experience independent repair facilities, and diesel service ing familiarity and confidence before entering
Automotive Technology I provides a The capstone of the pathway is Arrowhead providers. An active industry advisory board the workforce or postsecondary training.
hands-on entry point for students seeking imme- Automotive, a student-run service course that provides ongoing input related to curriculum rel- Arrowhead Automotive is aligned with
diate technical experience. Students develop operates as a live-shop environment. Students evance, safety practices, equipment needs, and ASE Education Foundation standards and is
foundational skills in shop safety, proper tool apply their skills while servicing real vehicles emerging industry trends. actively working toward ASE Education Foun-
use, lubrication services, brake systems, steering from staff and community members under “Students regularly engage with industry dation accreditation, with a Spring 2026 goal for
and suspension, and introductory electrical diag- instructor supervision. professionals through guest speakers, advisory full completion.
nostics. Automotive Technology II builds on this Students rotate through professional committee involvement, and career explora-
foundation with advanced electrical systems, roles such as Technician, Service Writer, Parts tion experiences. One recent career exploration Preparing Students for What
engine performance concepts, drivetrain compo- Manager, Quality Control Inspector, and Shop day included visits to a franchised dealership, Comes Next
nents, and structured diagnostic procedures. Manager. Each role carries responsibility and an independent repair shop, and a diesel repair Arrowhead Automotive is designed to
Students seeking deeper technical prepa- accountability, reinforcing that automotive facility, allowing students to compare different bridge the gap between education and employ-
ration enroll in Advanced Automotive, a service is not only about technical ability, but work environments, career paths, and special- ment. From informed vehicle ownership to
course aligned with the local technical college also communication, documentation, safety, and ization areas in a single experience,” said Aaron advanced technical training, students graduate
and focused on ASE A1–A8 content areas. trust. Troxell of the WATDA. Students and instruc- with hands-on experience, industry credentials,
Advanced Automotive emphasizes diagnostic Students use industry-standard technology tors have also participated in the organization’s and a clear understanding of career pathways
reasoning, professional use of service informa- throughout the program, including Tekmetric, Transportation Showcase, where students within the transportation field—prepared for
tion, and industry-standard repair procedures ALLDATA, Autel scan tools, and a virtual shop explored emerging technologies and connected what comes next.
while reinforcing expectations found in profes- foreman powered by ChatGPT. These tools with employers.
sional automotive environments. mirror professional shop environments and
Throughout the pathway, students are support accurate diagnostics, clear documenta- Industry Alignment and ASE
encouraged to earn industry-recognized creden- tion, and effective job management. By working Expectations
tials, including ASE Entry-Level Certification with the same systems used in the field, students A defining element of the program is the
(G1) and additional ASE-focused certifica- develop habits that emphasize quality, accuracy, emphasis on modeling industry expectations. www.arrowheadschools.org
tions. These credentials validate student skills,
and accountability. Instructor Joseph Premo actively maintains ASE