9/25/2008 - Madison Career and Technical Center Instructor Receives 2008 MMA Award for Excellence in Vocational Education

Jim Walker, technology applications instructor with the Madison Career and Technical Center (MCTC), is the recipient of the 2008 Mississippi Manufacturers Association (MMA) Award for Excellence in Vocational Education. Walker has taught in the Madison County program for 14 years. The award was presented during a ceremony at the MCTC Sept. 25 by Jay C. Moon, CEcD, FM, MMA president and CEO.
 

Walker was named the 2008 MMA Vocational Education Award recipient largely because of his involvement in the creation of the Student Technology Exchange Program (S.T.E.P.) in partnership with Nissan North America in Canton, the Mississippi State University Center for Advanced Vehicular Services Extension in Canton and the Mississippi Department of Education. Walker, who worked for three years as a pre-employment trainer for the auto assembly plant, saw an opportunity for students to learn and receive hands-on training with technology used during the manufacturing process at Nissan. S.T.E.P. is now in its fourth year and includes students from the technology applications programs at the vocational centers in the Madison County, Leake County, Canton and Jackson school districts.
 

“It is important that our educators work with industry to provide the specific skills training necessary for our people to succeed in their jobs,” said Moon. “Not only do workers need basic skills to be successful in the workplace, they also need continuous training in order to keep up with revolutionary advances in technology. In many cases, companies are working with educators, as with Mr. Walker and the Madison Career and Technical Center, to give students a better understanding of how their skills are being used in a real-world setting.”

Walker stated, “My understanding of some of the technology I teach in the classroom has been heightened due to my seeing it in real manufacturing settings. It makes it easier for students as it provides a bridge to their future education in technology-related areas and the careers that they will eventually choose.
 

“Knowing what employers want in the workers of today, particularly in business, industry and manufacturing, I believe is important and needs to be taught to the students of today, particularly those who will seek careers in business, industry and manufacturing,” he said.
 

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Walker has served as an advisor for the Technology Student Association for the past 12 years, three of which he was also the coordinator for the Region III conference. He has served an elected position on the Mississippi Association of Technology Applications Teachers for the past eight years, three times and currently as president. He is also a member of the Association of Career and Technical Education and its Mississippi affiliate as well as the International Technology Education Association.
 

Walker is a National Board Certified Teacher in career and technical education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Millsaps College and a Master of Combined Sciences from Mississippi College. Prior to joining Madison County Schools in 1994, he taught high school biology, chemistry and physics in the Jackson area, Natchez and Greenville.
 

Aimee Brown, director of Career and Technical Education for Madison County Schools, said, “Mr. Walker is truly dedicated to the success of the Technology Applications program at our school and other schools around the state. He works diligently on curriculum, resources and training for other teachers so that they are prepared to meet the demands of today’s industries.
 

“Mr. Walker understands the importance of educational and industrial entities working together so that we are preparing students for the 21st Century workforce,” she said. He is a model career and technical education instructor that understands that it is important for students to possess both the technical skills and academic skills needed to succeed in today’s careers.”
 

The MMA Award for Excellence in Vocational Education was established in 1994 to encourage, recognize, and reward individuals who are active in advancing vocational education in Mississippi. Nominations for the award are made by the MMA membership, and the winner is selected by an evaluation committee appointed by the MMA Workforce Development Committee.
In addition to a cash award and plaque, Walker will receive a complimentary trip to the 2008 MMA annual convention in October, where he will be recognized for his accomplishment by MMA members.

As the Voice of Industry, the mission of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association is to provide high quality goods and services to its members and to identify, disseminate and utilize information necessary to promote a strong manufacturing environment within Mississippi. For more than 50 years, the MMA has represented the interests of Mississippi’s manufacturers at both the state and national levels. To learn more about MMA and manufacturing in Mississippi, visit www.mma-web.org.
 

The Madison Career & Technical Center is the Vocational Technical School for the Madison County School District. It serves students from the three high schools in the district. They are Ridgeland High School, Madison Central High School, and Velma Jackson Magnet High School. The Technology Applications program at the Madison Career and Technical Center is a recipient of the 2008 ITEA Program Excellence Award, one of the highest honors given to Technology Education classroom teachers on the elementary, middle or high school levels. It is presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to the profession. The award is sponsored by the ITEA and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

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