Anyone Can Teach, But Not Everyone Can Educate: Lessons from 30 Years in Automotive Training [RR 1095]

RR 1095 todd fortier

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS

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Carm Capriotto sits down with Todd Fortier, retiring automotive professor and program coordinator from Illinois Central College, to discuss a lesson learned over three decades in education: anyone can teach, but becoming a true educator requires purpose, empathy, and continuous growth.

Todd shares how his passion for education was sparked by helping students experience those breakthrough “lightbulb moments” and why the ultimate goal of teaching is not simply delivering information, but ensuring meaningful knowledge transfer. As he prepares for retirement, Todd reflects on the challenges facing automotive education and his mission to help develop the next generation of industry instructors.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why technical expertise alone doesn’t make someone an effective instructor
  • How educators can improve knowledge transfer and student engagement
  • Todd’s “Three C’s” framework: Concern, Cause, and Correction
  • Why connection, empathy, and vulnerability are critical teaching tools
  • How to identify the root causes behind student disengagement
  • The importance of recognizing the personal challenges students bring into the classroom
  • Why many students leave training programs early and how educators can help retain them
  • How trainers and mentors can evolve into true educators
  • The soft skills needed to successfully connect with today’s students and technicians

The best educators do more than share information, they build relationships. Todd Fortier’s career demonstrates that teaching is most effective when instructors combine technical knowledge with empathy, curiosity, and genuine human connection. As the automotive industry works to address technician shortages and workforce development challenges, creating better educators may be one of the most important investments the industry can make.

Todd Fortier, Professor/Program Coordinator, Illinois Central College, ToddFortier@techtoteacher.com

Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

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The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/