Dan Brinkmann, Automotive Technology instructor at Four Rivers Career Center, was named the WINGS and School District of Washington Teacher of the Year during the WINGS Hall of Honor Gala at the Elks Lodge in Washington on Saturday, Sept. 29.
Brinkmann is in his 15th year teaching Automotive Technology for the School District of Washington. He’s involved with Dr. Judy Straatmann’s Academic Innovation Planning Team, and he’s also involved with the annual Parade of Lights in Downtown Washington, helping his students build their float.
Brinkmann is now eligible for the Regional Teacher of the Year, which will be awarded in June. The Regional Teacher of the Year will then be in the running for the State Teacher of the Year, which will be awarded in August.
“I felt good about being nominated for this award. After I saw everyone else who was nominated, I didn’t think I would win. They were all worthy,” Brinkmann said moments after being announced the winner. “There are a lot of people to thank, but if my wife (Debbie Brinkmann) wouldn’t let me do all of the things I do, this wouldn’t have been possible. She allows me to do the Night Shift program for the students. Otherwise, I would just be a classroom teacher. Andy (FRCC Director Andy Robinson) and Dr. VanLeer (SDOW Superintendent Dr. Lori VanLeer) let me get away with this crazy stuff that I come up with, so thanks to them as well. Our Night Shift program is growing and more and more students want to get involved. It’s a lot of fun.
“I can’t thank WINGS enough. I had tears coming out of my eyes as I accepted the award. I was not expecting this. What WINGS does for our school district is amazing. I’m just a dumb old country boy who likes to fly under the radar, but I really appreciate this award.”
Brinkmann himself was once a student in the Automotive Technology program at Four Rivers Career Center.
Brinkmann got into teaching after first being approached by his fellow Auto Tech instructor Gary Maune, who asked him to consider being a teacher. At first, he was not convinced, but after some serious thought, he turned in an application. It was after a heart to heart talk with his former Auto Tech instructor, Robert Barbarick, that Brinkmann decided to make the move.
“He set the bar high for me,” Brinkmann said of Barbarick. “I don’t want to let him down.”
Along with Brinkmann’s regular classroom schedule, he also started and facilitates the Night Shift program at Four Rivers Career Center.
It is a voluntary, extra-curricular activity where students earn their way into the program. To participate in Night Shift, the students must maintain good grades, excellent attendance, and they cannot make poor life choices. The students involved in the program learn leadership, responsibility, communication skills, how to cook, and other life lessons. They also learn mechanical skills with tractors, and other motor vehicles.
“These students are learning valuable life skills that are preparing them for life after high school,” said Brinkmann, who believes strongly in this program, and volunteers his time each week so those students can benefit from this program.
Brinkmann knows how to gently nudge his students out of their comfort zones to perfect skills that may have intimidated them at the beginning of the class. The community is also benefitting from his efforts, as students go on to work at some of our local industries.
Brinkmann loves what he does. He loves watching students gain confidence and skills as they go through the Night Shift program. He is making a difference in the lives of his students, while giving back to the community at the same time.
Other finalists for the WINGS Teacher of the Year were:
Melissa Ziegler - Science teacher at Washington Middle School.
Tim Branson - No Excuses and History teacher at Washington High School.
Dr. Heather Clark - Counselor at South Point Elementary.
Dr. Jennifer Maune - Third grade teacher at Augusta Elementary.
Cody Stapel: Special Education Teacher at Washington West Elementary.
Teacher of the Year Finalists
Pictured are the WINGS and School District of Washington Teacher of the Year finalists. Front row, from left, are Melissa Ziegler, Dr. Jennifer Maune and Dr. Heather Clark. Back row, from left, are Cody Stapel, Dan Brinkmann and Tim Branson.
Dan Brinkmann, WINGS Teacher of the Year, with his wife, Debbie Brinkmann.
Dan Brinkmann, WINGS Teacher of the Year, with his wife, Debbie Brinkmann. Also shown are WINGS Chair Brad Mitchell, far left, and School District of Washington Superintendent Dr. Lori VanLeer, far right.
Dan Brinkmann accepts the WINGS Teacher of the Year award from Brad Mitchell, WINGS Chair. Also shown is School District of Washington Superintendent Dr. Lori VanLeer.
Dan Brinkmann accepts the WINGS Teacher of the Year award from Brad Mitchell, WINGS Chair.
Dan Brinkmann, WINGS Teacher of the Year. Also shown are School District of Washington Superintendent Dr. Lori VanLeer, left, and WINGS Chair Brad Mitchell.