A new era for GHS auto tech

Grafton High School automotive technology teacher Nic Fullington said he isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel when it comes to the curriculum his predecessor Carl Hader left behind, but Fullington would like to update it in the 21st century. 

Fullington graduated from GHS in 2016 and said he is proud to return to his alma mater as a teacher.

“I love it. It’s fun working with my former teachers, and it’s amazing working with some of the younger siblings of my old classmates,” he said.

Fullington said he knows he has big shoes to fill in replacing Hader, who spent 41 years at the school and helped students win numerous state and national competitions.

Before joining the district, Fullington attended Milwaukee Area Technical College in Mequon and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Last year, Fullington was a student teacher at the high school under Hader’s tutelage. 

“Nic is the perfect man for the job. He is very educated and has a passion to helping kids learn about automotive technology,” Hader said.

“It’s really exciting for me to see him grow.”

Although Hader retired from the Grafton School District last year, he still helps out at the school as a “shop mentor” to Fullington on a weekly basis.

“I’m really lucky to have Hader as my mentor. He taught me everything I know about cars in high school, and I’m very glad he has remained on board to teach me more,” Fullington said.

Hader developed automotive technology curriculum that is used by schools throughout the state. Fullington said he doesn’t want to change too much in his first year as a teacher but is working to place some of the lessons and worksheets to an online platform. 

Hader said it was difficult teaching automotive technology courses online last school year when the pandemic hit, resulting in students having to learn outside of the classroom.

Although all of Fullington’s students are attending classes in person this school year, he said he understands it is vital to be able to adapt the hands-on curriculum to online because of the current climate.

While in high school, Fullington participated in football, basketball and track. He is not coaching sports this year because there is a lot on his plate as a first-year teacher, but he is considering helping out his former teams in the future.

Fullington said he wants to keep the competitive tradition alive for the Grafton auto tech program. He said the annual Automobile Dealers Association of Mega Milwaukee Technicians of Tomorrow Competition is still scheduled for this year, but the national competition in New York City has been canceled. 

“You never know what to expect these days, but I want to prepare my students for whatever comes their way,” Fullington said.

“In the auto tech industry, you always have to keep your head on a swivel and learn to adapt with the times. That’s what Hader taught me.”