Role Reversal: Aspiring Equipment Operators Teach Future Educators

SCHOHARIE -- A new collaboration between two Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs shifted the roles of high school students – literally.

Students in the Heavy Equipment Operation and Repair (HERO) program on the Schoharie CTE Campus recently taught their peers in the Early Childhood Education program how to operate heavy equipment.

Early Childhood teacher Jessica Quackenbush said her students really “dug” learning how to operate a skid steer.

“It was fun doing something different than class. Learning how to drive a skid steer was a good experience that we can use in our lives,” said Caylee Faulkner, an Early Childhood student from Cobleskill-Richmondville.

For Faulkner and her classmates, the experience was not only about learning but also observing the HERO students as they taught and gauging what worked and what didn’t. For the HERO students, the lesson drove home their knowledge of equipment operation and strengthened their communication skills—which are necessary in every job a person holds.

HERO teacher Matt Millard said his students enjoyed the lesson and learned a lot.

“[The day] showed me what I have learned, and I was happy to share it with others,” said Calvin Raymond, a HERO student from Duanesburg. “It made me feel more confident and it heightened my awareness of safety.”

The Early Childhood students gave their HERO peers high grades for their teaching abilities.

“The student teachers did a very good job at teaching us how to drive a skid steer. They were very patient with us and used their hands to explain instead of just talking,” said Kilie Palmatier, an aspiring teacher from Cobleskill-Richmondville.

Some of the HERO students said that while they enjoyed the project, they learned something about their teaching abilities.

“I realized that teaching is not necessarily the occupation of my choice at this point,” said Liam Perry, a HERO student from Cobleskill.

Quackenbush said being an equipment operator and a teacher has some similarities.

“When driving a skid steer, you need to be responsible, so you don't get hurt or hurt others, or so you don't break something. When working with kids, you also need to be responsible, so children don't get hurt, or you don't hurt yourself,” she said.

“Awareness is also a huge part of both jobs. With kids, if you're not aware of your surroundings, a child could get hurt or ill. With driving a skid steer, you could seriously hurt someone,” Quackenbush added.