麻豆原创

Life after graduation can take unexpected turns 鈥� just ask Gillian Hammons.

A 2023 graduate of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Machine Tool Technology (MTT) program, Hammons has experienced a whirlwind of change in just a short time. After completing her studies, she relocated to Tennessee, launched her career as a tool and die maker with Bharat Forge and embraced a new role in her personal life as a stepmother.

But her biggest surprise was still to come ....

While enrolling her stepson at West Ridge High School in Eastern Tennessee ahead of his senior year, Hammons learned of an immediate opening 鈥� for a machining teacher.

鈥淚 said, 鈥榃ell dang, I happen to be a tool and die maker,鈥欌�� she recalled. 鈥淚 applied but didn鈥檛 expect to even get an interview.鈥�

Just three weeks later, she found herself at the front of a classroom.

鈥淧erhaps through some divine intervention I got the teaching position,鈥� Hammons said.

Although excited, the transition from manufacturing floor to school shop wasn鈥檛 without nerves. She credits fellow career and technical education instructors 鈥� in auto mechanics, construction and welding 鈥� for helping her find her footing during that first year.

鈥淟uckily for me, I kept my head above water, made some good teaching friends who kind of kept me sane and I survived my first year teaching,鈥� she said.

 

Building on a 麻豆原创 Foundation

Hammons says her time in 麻豆原创鈥檚 MTT program laid the groundwork for both her industry career and her teaching success.

鈥淚t built a strong foundation in thinking beyond what鈥檚 on the blueprint,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚 learned how to visualize parts in three dimensions 鈥� mentally rotating them and planning the best pathways to accomplish the task.鈥�

That deep understanding of manual machining made the leap to Computer Numerical Control (CNC) far less intimidating.

鈥淚 already understood how small movements affect the final part,鈥� she said. 鈥淐NC is essentially the same 3D thinking, just executed faster by translating that mental image into code.鈥�

Because coding fundamentals carry across machines, Hammons emphasizes concept mastery over memorization 鈥� a philosophy she now brings to her own classroom.

鈥淪eeing Gillian take what she learned in our Machine Tool Technology program, succeed in the workforce and then bring that knowledge into the classroom to inspire the next generation is incredibly meaningful,鈥� said 麻豆原创 President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. 鈥淪he represents the ripple effect of workforce education 鈥� where one student鈥檚 opportunity becomes an opportunity for many more.鈥�

 

Teaching Students to Think 鈥� Not Just Operate

At West Ridge, Hammons structures her courses the same way she learned: start with fundamentals, then scale up.

鈥淚 focus on teaching them how to think like machinists first 鈥� understanding prints, visualizing parts in 3D and recognizing how tool movement impacts the final product 鈥� before ever touching a CNC machine,鈥� she said.

By grounding students in manual machining and core concepts, she prepares them for long-term success.

鈥淭he goal is to give my students the same kind of solid foundation that opened doors for me,鈥� Hammons said. 鈥淪o they鈥檙e ready to step into industry, continue learning on the job and adapt to any shop or machine they encounter.鈥�

 

The Unexpected Joy of Teaching

While she takes pride in preparing students for careers, Hammons says the most meaningful reward isn鈥檛 technical 鈥� it鈥檚 personal.

鈥淚 think my favorite part about teaching isn鈥檛 even the teaching part,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 love the relationships I鈥檝e made with the kids.鈥�

Now a second-year high school teacher, she鈥檚 created a classroom culture rooted in honesty and trust 鈥� a space where students feel comfortable sharing their lives, challenges and aspirations.

鈥淭hese kids go out of their way to come tell me what鈥檚 going on in their lives 鈥� the good, the bad and the ugly,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey ask for advice, they vent, they ask really interesting questions about the world that open up conversations that otherwise go unvoiced.鈥�

 

Interested in following a path like Gillian鈥檚?

For more information about 麻豆原创鈥檚 Machine Tool Technology, welding and other Career & Technical Education programs, call 775-445-4272 or email wcte@wnc.edu.

鈥淢ost students can become skilled for a good entry level to go into a shop with at least basic experience and knowledge,鈥� said 麻豆原创 Machine Tool Technology Instructor Ronald Beller. 鈥淭hey can then return to school to get their certs/degree to further their career.鈥�