In our continuing series to highlight some of our
past FLATE awardees, this month we highlight two educators who have made their
mark in streamlining manufacturing education at the secondary and
post-secondary education level. Both educators have made a significant impact on
technology education and training in Florida, and were the FIRST recipients to be bestowed with the FLATE’s
Secondary and Post-Secondary Educator of the Year awards.
It has been several years since Ted Norman was
honored as the inaugural recipient of the FLATE Secondary
educator of the Year
award. Back in 2007 when he received the award, Norman was a teacher of the
manufacturing career academy at Treasure Coast High School in Port St. Lucie,
FL. He was the first to serve in that capacity, and attributes the honor to Kathy
Schmidt, CTE director of St. Lucie County and Dr. Helen Roberts, principal of TCHS
whose pioneering vision helped establish the manufacturing Academy at TCHS.
Much has happened in that time, both personally and
professionally.
Firstly Norman switched gears and transitioned into
the corporate world where he is currently the state supervisor for
transportation, distribution and logistics for the Florida Department of
Education. His primary mission at FL DOE is to manage, update and revise the
curriculum frameworks for the manufacturing, transportation, distribution &
logistics, engineering and technology education career clusters. “Keeping the
frameworks relevant by aligning with business and industry expectations and
technology ensures that secondary and post-secondary students will be given
opportunities to be better prepared for college and careers” Norman said.
This past year working with teachers, administrators
and business leaders, Norman also updated and revised the manufacturing
curriculum and frameworks for welding, industrial machinery and maintenance,
maritime repair/refinishing, electrical and instrumentation technology,
industrial technology, aerospace, simulation and (most importantly machining
technology programs.) “All of these programs support and contribute to a
skilled workforce for Florida’s manufacturing industries” Norman said. Prior to
working for the FL DOE, he enjoyed working for the Manufacturing Skill Standards
Council in Indianapolis and Educational Testing Services in Princeton, NJ. In
2008, Norman was also recognized as a 2008 University of Florida Distinguished
Educator awardee and the 2009 St. Lucie County Teacher. “I am proud and honored
to be of service to the students, parents, educators, administrators, and
business community of the great State of Florida.”
At
the post-secondary level, Meer Almeer has been a relentless force in affecting
changes that have made a positive impact on the A.S. degree in engineering
technology at Eastern Florida State College. Almeer’s vision to introduce new
courses, certificates and hands-on experiential learning mechanisms, has led to
the overall growth of the A.S.E.T program at EFSC. “We are constantly changing
the program to match the changing needs of local manufacturers.” Almeer started
offering fiber optics and composites courses enabling students opportunities to
build a career in several applied technology jobs such bas aeronautics,
testing, fabrication, assembly, repair and almost every aspect of
manufacturing. “I think we are creating an excellent workforce in the state of
Florida by empowering students with relevant and transferable skills that will
help them succeed across various industries” Almeer said.
Partnership
with industry has greatly helped and is a key area Almeer has focused on in his
efforts to strengthen the
program. “Working with Harris Corporation we
overhauled and redesigned the advanced engineering technology program to meet
their needs” said Almeer. The program, according to Almeer, is a model for many
other companies that have started following Harris’ lead in sending incumbent
workers for additional training and/or earn certificates at EFSC. In
fall 2014, Meer started offering the J standard industry certification class at
a reduced cost of $300 (as opposed to $1300), and recently started offering a
new IPC certification comprising of three credits soldering classes. “I would
like to continue focusing on the program at EFSC and offer courses that will
enable students to get decent jobs once they graduate from the program.”
Additionally, he worked closely with local high schools and industry to
coordinate manufacturing day tours in Brevard County, and partnered with
Tallahassee Community College to host several workshops for high school
students, local industries and college teachers to build composites skate
boards. In 2014, he was also one of the EFSC Academic Discipline Award winners
that recognize faculty members for their dedication, patience, enthusiasm and
concern for students, the college, and community at large.
From the outset, Almeer has been a firm advocate not
only of the statewide A.S.E.T degree, but in supporting FLATE’s mission to
promote technician education and training. “FLATE has been leading the state in
shaping the direction of engineering technology education, and has served as a
guide for colleges to streamline their ET programs.” Almeer served as one of
the mentors for students going to Spain on the FLATE-led global technician
education program. He was part of the first faculty delegation that visited
Spain in 2011 and went on a second trip with students, including four from EFSC
who were enrolled in the alternative energy program.
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