One Class at a Time presented by Chick-fil-A of Birmingham.

For 21 years, CBS 42 has been proud to present local teachers with $1,000 grants through its One Class at a Time program, honoring the educators who work tirelessly to make a positive impact on the children of Central Alabama.

This week, CBS 42 Meteorologist Alex Puckett, the Chick-fil-A cow and Chick-fil-A of Birmingham representatives set out to Columbiana, Ala. to honor one such educator, automotive technology teacher Robert Irwin.

Irwin teaches students from across Shelby County in the Career Technical Education Center (cTec), his specific program being the Automotive Technology Program.

“This program is designed to get young people in high school prepared for the workforce, specifically within the automotive industry,” said Irwin. “Whether that is an automotive technician, a parts specialist, a motorcycle technician, heavy equipment technician– the sky’s the limit in the automotive industry.”

Irwin went on to point out how there are many students who do not have the opportunity or desire to attend more traditional forms of higher education, and that the Automotive Technology Program at cTec helps these students obtain nationally recognized certifications by the time they graduate, putting them on the fast track for workforce success after graduation.

“You can potentially be earning 50 to 60 thousand dollars a year right out of high school [because of the Automotive Technology Program],” said Irwin.

Explaining why he applied and what he will be using the One Class grant money for, Irwin said that he will be purchasing a new piece of equipment called an Amp Clamp.

“It [the Amp Clamp] speeds up the diagnosis process when you’re trying to troubleshoot problems with cars,” said Irwin. “This money enables me to buy multiple [Amp Clamps] so that I can get these tools in the students’ hands and give them plenty of hands-on learning time.”

To nominate a local teacher for CBS 42’s One Class at a Time grant, apply here.