South Side students take the wheel in auto class - Jackson Sun
When Leeana Cargile, theater teacher at South Side High School, needed to replace the headlight in her car, she took the problem to her school. Students in one of Tom Berry's auto classes fixed the headlight for free, practicing their skills in the certified auto shop on campus. Last Thursday, students worked on a 2008 Ford Fusion belonging to another faculty member, putting the car on a lift, removing a tire and preparing to install a new wheel bearing. "There's times with my senior class when we're in the shop every day doing something on somebody's car," Berry said. As they progress through high school, they learn how to diagnose electrical problems, work on brakes, work on suspension, check engine lights and more. Many of Berry's students go on to further their technical education or head straight to work at a dealership or body shop. Selena Simpson, 16, said more than half of the students in Berry's classes want to do something with mechanics in the future. Berry said students, faculty, staff and even community members regularly drop off their cars for repairs. The beginning of the year starts with more time in the classroom, he said, then shifts to students spending more time in the shop. Source: www.jacksonsun.com
