Robert Strand
Always Running Smooth!
by Amber Olbrot
Cars are a huge part of America. There are auto shows, auto races, antiques, classics and even television shows on how to fix cars. It's not as simple as some say. Sometimes you have to grit your teeth and get your hands dirty. In Mr. Strand's room, that is exactly what they do.
Mr. Strand wasn't always an automotive technology instructor, He caught the auto bug when he attended Kankakee Community College and took every possible coarse dealing with cars. Mr. Strand earned his Associates degree and began a 90-day training session with the local Sears.
Eventually those 90 days turned into 27 years. All was amazing. He got to do the job he loved and worked with nice people. Of those 27 years, Mr. Strand was in Management for 2 years. With all the responsibility, it wasn't the same as being able to physically work with fixing cars.
Shortly after, Mr. Strand left to come to KACC and share his talents with students who have the same interest and desire to work with automobiles. He loves working with cars. Mr. Strand has even made some furniture for his family room at home out of automobile parts, including an old engine as the base of a glass-top coffee table.
Mr. Strand has been teaching his students the life of the American car, right in his own shop. In the class, students work hands-on with all different types of cars. From mustangs to mini vans, they work with almost all parts and fix them up so they can go back on the road again.
Typically, students bring their own cars to be worked on in the auto shop for classroom instruction. The thing is, word gets out on how awesome a job the students do under Mr. Strand's direction. When this happens, folks from the general public start calling and making appointments to have their cars worked on as well.
Mr. Strand is always encouraging his students to continue with their education following high school. Typically, Mr. Strand arranges for 5 to 7 technical schools and colleges having curriculum in this area to come to KACC and visit with the students. It is Mr. Strand's sincere desire that each student gets a little something extra from these visits to spark their interest in going on to learn more certifications and degrees.
In visiting Mr. Stand's class, I found it really interesting to see the students working on the cars. The students appeared very knowledgeable, knowing exactly what to do. Some say it's an art, some say it's a skills. I say its both! Either way, Mr. Strand's students are definitely prepared.
A former student of Mr. Strand took first place in SkillsUSA 7 years ago. For Mr. Strand, this was an amazing accomplishment. It is only when seeing the occasional student who doesn't want to learn is when Mr. Strand feels he is wasting time ~ "You have to look at what's offered to you and take it." he tell his students.
Thank goodness Mr. Strand decided to come to KACC and share all his knowledge and his love for cars with all of his students in the past, right now, and in the upcoming future.
