LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Jack Wilson

Position: Automotive Service 2 Teacher
School: Lake County Tech Campus
School District: Lake County Tech Campus
City, State: Grayslake, IL

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Jack Wilson was nominated by his colleague, Laura Emmerling.

The Tech Campus is regarded as one of the Midwest's best career and technical education training facilities. With twenty-two member high schools throughout Lake and McHenry Counties, representing nearly 1,800 high school students, the Tech Campus has the largest career technical secondary educational system in Illinois.

After working in the automotive industry for several years and becoming a Master Automotive Technician, Mr. Wilson applied to become a teacher at Tech Campus. He had deep roots in our institution, being an alumnus himself. He has been teaching Automotive Service for about 15 years and has served as Teachers' Union President for the last four years.

Mr. Wilson quickly discovered that teaching was his passion and, while working full time, continued his post-secondary education as well. In 2012, Mr. Wilson earned his Bachelor of Science in Career and Technical Education and a teacher licensure from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. His dedication to providing students with excellent education has grown throughout his career at Tech Campus.

Mr. Wilson has contributed to developing a professional and positive atmosphere in multiple ways. In the classroom, he models real-life customer service skills for his students and provides real-life examples. If you were observing his classroom, you would see Mr. Wilson demonstrating respect, responsibility, and honesty to his students. He gets tactical with his students, showing activities and teaching students how to problem-solve through real-world examples.

Mr. Wilson goes beyond his job requirements and shares scholarship information, educational opportunities, and outside resources with his students, parents, and other staff. Once a month, his second-year Automotive students participate in Tune-Up Tuesday, a monthly opportunity for second-year Automotive Service students to perform basic car maintenance. Mr. Wilson coordinates with staff on the desired work to be completed and then helps to order the necessary materials. Tune-Up Tuesday provides students with a real-world work application. It also contributes to a positive atmosphere among staff; they can have their vehicles serviced while working and can interact with students in a positive way.

Mr. Wilson drives creativity into his work to solve complex problems and deliver positive outcomes. During the COVID pandemic, he created a virtual-education fair for his students and parents. Mr. Wilson worked with unions, trade schools, two-year schools, and four-year universities to discuss career and educational paths. His idea created measurable engagement among attendees and their parents.

Mr. Wilson travels to local companies to gain support and resources for his program and school. With his networking and leadership skills, Mr. Wilson developed a program where community members could buy raffle tickets to try and win a 2011 Chevy Equinox repaired by Automotive Service and Collision students. The proceeds provided four student-tool scholarships and raised money for a local charity; the scholarships included essential hand tools valued at $1,800.

Mr. Wilson has also worked with Sue Dickson, a local business owner, to create the Give Me Ten Internship Training Program. The program asks that local companies provide students with ten hours of internship training. This program allows the student, teacher, and business to assess the student's skills and decide whether this could be a potential place of employment. Almost all his students who participated in the program were offered an extended internship, and a few received job offers.

This program became the foundation for the Tech 3 Work-Based Learning Program that Tech Campus is working to build for all students. Mr. Wilson and Ms. Dickson presented at the Association for Career and Technical Education's National Conference in December to attendees from secondary and post-secondary schools, business leaders, and industry professionals about the program they developed. Audience engagement was strong, and they continue to have dialogue with attendees. Their underlying goal is to help develop skilled young adults that the workforce and post-secondary education desperately need.

Mr. Wilson cares deeply about his role at school and the lives and careers of his students. His leadership and commitment have served to create programs that drive success. Tech Campus is lucky to have someone so enthusiastic about making a beneficial difference in the lives of its students.

"Trying to adequately describe all of the different ways that Jack Wilson is a great teacher made me realize how valuable his diverse experience and dynamic skills are to our organization," said Emmerling. "It is my absolute pleasure to recommend Jack for the LifeChanger of the Year Award!"

Mr. Wilson's class webpage - https://padlet.com/jwilson2806/4bargq600mh83dqf

Beyond the Wrench Podcast - https://wrenchway.com/blog/successful-community-effort-to-impact-tech-shortage/

2021 Tech Campus car raffle - https://www.techcampus.org/raffle and https://youtu.be/GoULM41aUyA

Tool Kit Scholarship - https://www.techcampus.org/domain/96

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Comments (22)

Mac Paulus Posted over a year ago

Jack Wilson is an incredible teacher and an even better person! One of the most helpful, kind, and compassionate people I've ever met. He deserves all of the awards!

Sue Dickson Posted over a year ago

Jack is the most dedicated teacher I have ever met. I have been working with Jack for over 5 years. We have created the Give Me TEN program to benefit the automotive program at Tech. He creates an environment that brings real world experiences to his students. The raffle car is a symbol what a teacher can bring to industry. His students hard work and attention to detail brings this car to life. The automotive industry has a technician shortage. The raffle car shows the community what the students can do. It also brings conversation to the community about our industry. Showcasing education and industry at the same time. I am thrilled to see he has been nominated for this life changer award. He has changed many lives of his students as many of them are now working in the industry. I am proud of my education partner and hope you know he’s the winner of this award in my book!!

Jackie Gunther Posted over a year ago

Blessed to claim Jack as family, I might be accused of bias, but I concur with all the accolades. Jack Wilson with all modesty and no sense of self aggrandizement, consistently performs acts of kindness and consideration for friends, family and anyone he encounters in his daily life. This in addition to his ingenuity and tireless passion in his chosen career of teaching make him truly a Life Changer.

Jackie Gunther Posted over a year ago

With 30+ years in Education, I recognize a real teacher. Teachers change lives, of their students, of families, of the community. Jack is such a teacher. Early interest led to his expertise in automotives and hard work led to his present career, but for him teaching is not a job but a passion. Jack knows cars, but he cares for people. His boundless generosity extends not only to family and friends but wherever he sees a need. With his knowledge, ingenuity and genuine compassion, he truly changes lives.

DruCiolino Posted over a year ago

I have known Jack's mother for a very long time. She is so very proud of him and all that he has accomplished and all he does for others. With that I know that he is definitely in the running for a life changer of the year. I am sure he is the candidate you want to choose.

Scott Wilson Posted over a year ago

Jack is the one of the most dedicated person both in his teaching and personal life. Seeing his passion for teaching students in real life situations with hands on training. Always strives to give 110% to the program. I'm proud to have him as a son.

Joan Gunther Posted over a year ago

Jack Wilson should be LifeChanger of the year! I’ve known Jack all his life. From a very young child, Jack has had the kindest heart and a wrench in his hand. I guess I am a little bias as I am his mother, but nonetheless, Jack is an exceptional teacher and person. Jack talks a lot about his students and what teaching means to him – a chance not only to bring about the next generation of mechanics but to inspire them and help them achieve their dreams. He has said to me “I was born to do this job” and he was! I hear the excitement in his voice each time he places one of his students in an internship, when he works with his students getting a car ready for a raffle, when he raises money for his students to get new tools and/or toolboxes, when he organizes an event to celebrate his graduating seniors, and/or he finds a new scholarship that allows him to place another students into an internship. All these items listed are not even in his job description – they are all above and beyond his responsibility as a teacher. Jack wants all his students to have opportunities to learn and grow in their craft and if the opportunities aren’t readily available, he goes out and finds them. He goes so much further than just teaching his students – he creates programs that never existed because he cares deeply about his students, the community they serve, and their future.

Marissa Pastori Posted over a year ago

Jack is more than deserving of this award. He is an amazing and welcoming coworker, and a fantastic teacher. He doesn't just care about what the students learn in the classroom, but works to help them learn how to be successful once their education is complete at the Tech Campus. Jack does so much at work, and off hours, to help create a better future for the students, making him a true life-changing person. I'm happy to voice (type?) my support of him in the nomination of this award!

Kim & Dave Posted over a year ago

Knowing Jack for a very long time and reading this, modest should be added to the list of attributes he possesses and models. Also, creative, doer, problem solver, roadblock clearer, leader by example, global thinker, giver…. Feel free to add to this list.

Derrick Burress Posted over a year ago

Jack is a true life changer! He makes daily impacts on his students' lives. As Jack's principal, I am in awe each time I walk into his classroom and see his students hard at working, enjoying themselves and finding a passion for what they will be doing in the future. Jack pushes himself, our staff and his students in new and innovative ways everyday. This is no small feat, as Jack is constantly reinventing his program and the curricula in ways that will further enrich our students experiences. His latest endeavor in his "Give Me Ten" internship program is something that is rarely seen at the high school level. Jack is very deserving of this award!

Pam Swanson Posted over a year ago

Congratulations Jack on a well deserved nomination! Having worked with you for years, it is truely evident that teaching is your passion. You truely keep the kid's sucess and futures in mind as you model your program. Besides the skills they aquire from you at Tech Camous, you teach them life skills they will use in their lives for many years. I admire your willingness to help the surrounding communities as well through your internships, your creative scholarship fundraiser, and your strong advisory board. I support Jack 100% in his nomination for "LifeChanger of the Year" and consider him one of the best at Tech Campus. Pam Swanson

Daniel J Horan Posted over a year ago

Jack inspires his students and his co-workers. He teaches many students from all walks of life and they all respect Jack's efforts. He is a GREAT communicator and a very solid human being. Tech is lucky to have Jack. His innovative classroom strategies (Car Raffle and Tune Up Tuesdays)are awesome and make me strive to keep up with such a committed professional.

Paul Niskala Posted over a year ago

I have worked with Jack at the Tech Campus for ten years. The work he puts into his program and the respect he receives from his students is on full display everyday at the Tech Campus. Like all of us at the Tech Campus our job is to train students to earn a living in the career of their choice. Jack’s is at the top of my list of top instructors.

Dawn Kovarik Posted over a year ago

I would like to support Jack Wilson for LifeChanger of the year. I have gotten to know Jack as a colleague while he was union president for Tech Campus. Jack is a born leader. He is empathetic to the situations that people are in. He works hard to come to a decision that is amenable to both parties. He is very successful at this. He is open minded and a great listener. He has taken this attitude to the classroom as well. He is well liked and respected by his students. They know he is there to support them and work with them to accomplish their goals so they have a successful future. He cares about his students and always has their best interest in mind. He leads his students by example and teaches them the professional, respectful, and honest way to do business. I have been teaching at Tech Campus for 5 years, Jack is someone I can turn to for innovative ideas to work with students and keep them engaged. He has a wealth of knowledge that he is always willing to share with staff and students alike. He is definitely a role model for everyone who has the opportunity to work with him. Jack is the perfect candidate for the award of LifeChanger of the Year. That is exactly what he does on a daily basis with his students. That is his goal; change the lives of his students for the better by teaching them a skill they can use to build a successful and productive life for themselves. He accomplishes this with every opportunity that is presented to him. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with Jack, learn from him and watch the successes he has had with so many students. Dawn Kovarik CNA Instructor Tech Campus

Lorraine Parisi Posted over a year ago

Jack is the most incredible human being I have ever met! Positive perspective on life - always putting others first and wanting others to excel in life! It is a humbled honor to know Jack. Jack makes the world a better place - his passion for seeing others excel in life is far above the bar that can ever be set. Jack is always there to help others and provide a positive influence on life. I have learned from Jack that in caring for others and exuding a positive perspective- you enrich the lives of many! A selfless man that has changed the world in a positive sense for every person he has come in contact with - Jack is a true life changer - it is an honor and privilege to know him!

Cassi Sweeney Posted over a year ago

Jack is not only an incredible teacher, but also an astounding member of the community. He has shown impeccable craft as an educator and has had an impressive impact on the lives of the students he serves. He truly goes above and beyond to help the students that walk through his classroom doors. CLC is very lucky to have him. I proudly support Jack’s nomination for Life Changer of the Year.

Betsy Wilson Posted over a year ago

Congrats, Jack! This is well deserved!! He works so hard with the kids & is such a knowledgeable teacher.

April Young Posted over a year ago

So awesome to see you inspire the next generation of kids to have patience, passion and persistence for what they do.

Colleen Posted over a year ago

Your passion shines through in all you do for the students. So proud of all you do for the future of the world. Thank you for the inspiration!

Julie Riddel Posted over a year ago

From the moment Jack Wilson stepped into the Tech campus and I interviewed him for the auto service teacher position, I knew that he would be successful. He has the drive, ambition, care and innovation to make his classroom and all he does for his students, parents colleagues, and Tech Campus, a huge success with his contributions and vision to the future.

Jennifer Slivka Posted over a year ago

I've known Mr. Wilson for decades. He was a car enthusiast in his youth and dedicated himself to learning about his passion. I wasn't surprised when he decided to go into teaching. Mr. Wilson has always had an empathetic spirit and I knew he would also excel as a teacher. Please consider him for his service to his students and faculty. Mr. Wilson deserves recognition for his dedication in helping his students reach their highest potential. Jack continues to be an inspiration to me and will be to others in the years to come.

Stephanie Jones Posted over a year ago

Tech Campus pulls from 22 area high schools, so students from all walks of life come through the doors. I have seen first hand how Jack nurtures and teaches his kids. I say kids because he treats them all like they are his own. He comes in early or stays late when his kids want to work on their cars when class time doesn’t allow it. He creates an atmosphere in his classroom that makes students excited to learn and tackle new problems in the vehicles they work on. If I was still in high school, I would absolutely want to be in his class.