Klein Tools, Lincolnshire, Ill., announced the winner of its 2014 “Head of the Class” Award for instructor of the year. Roy Smith, a Great Lakes region finalist from Alpena, Mich., received the most votes out of the six finalists from thousands of votes cast. Smith is a Utility Technology Program head instructor at Alpena College who has almost quadrupled the yearly student enrollment as well as designed and developed a pole yard training lab.
“Roy Smith has been an instructor for 20 years,” said Tom Barton, product marketing manager for Klein Tools. “His knowledge and skill from years of experience and his dedication to building relationships with both his students and the industry have gained the respect of many.”
Smith received $500 in cash and $500 in Klein tools for his school when he captured the “Great Lakes” regional title. The grand prize adds an additional $500 in cash and $500 in Klein tools for his school plus Klein Back-to-School Kits for each of his fall 2014 students (a $50 value per kit), which includes a Klein hi-viz t-shirt, a pair of Klein safety glasses, a Klein flash drive, six Klein carpenter’s pencils and a Klein camouflage dual zone lunch cooler.
“Roy’s has been a part of Alpena College for years, both as a student and a teacher,” said Rick Arbic, Utility Technology Department Head at Alpena Community College. “Roy’s mentoring goes beyond the classroom – his students know that if they have a question today, tomorrow or next year, he is only a phone call away.”
