Travis Taylor has taken his role of Cleburne ISD stakeholder to the next level in obtaining a $2,500 grant for Career and Technical Education through his employer’s charitable giving program.

                Taylor, who is an asset integrity specialist with Williams Energy Resources headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, applied for the STEM/CTE grant available through his company’s Homegrown Giving Program. Working with CISD Career and Technical Education Director Mark McClure, the funds awarded through Taylor’s efforts will be utilized by the Heavy Equipment/Diesel Technician program, which is the newest addition to Cleburne CTE.

                “I was really happy to get the top amount that can be awarded through our employee grant program,” Taylor said. “I just wanted to help the work taking place with Cleburne High School students. I thought anything to help the kids in CTE would be good.”

                The $2,500 funding has already been put to use in a unique hands-on training project for diesel tech students, which also addresses the components of re-use/re-purpose/re-cycle. A diesel motor pulled out of a 1978 GMC school bus retired from the CISD fleet is being used by beginning students to train and test their basic diagnostic skills. The bus has been refurbished for use as a mobile diner by the District’s Child Nutrition program.

                “With the use of this motor, our students can go in and practice the lower level diagnostic skills they have learned, in identifying a problem,” McClure said. “If they understand the principles of an engine, they can fix it—and this will help with that.”

                “It’s important the students interested in becoming a diesel technician know the history of the different kinds of engines—old and new. Some of the older engines have been grandfathered under EPA regulations and standards and can still be used. A lot of companies have technicians rebuild an older engine that still has lots of life.”

“We are very grateful for this grant award, which will help us give our students a new learning opportunity, along with the skills required to do this very same motor rebuild in the workplace,” McClure said. “We’re hopeful that other members of our community whose employers offer grant programs will consider doing something like this.”

Taylor has had the opportunity to visit the heavy equipment/diesel technician classroom, lab and workspace where the result of the grant he landed is now in the hands of students.

                “I wish I had this kind of program when I was in school,” Taylor said. “It would have made a difference.”

Cutline

Travis Taylor, left, meets with heavy engine/diesel technician instructor Daq Querry during a tour of Career and Technical Education facilities at Cleburne High School. Taylor, who is an asset integrity specialist with Williams Energy Resources, has landed a $2,500 grant for Cleburne CTE through the Williams Homegrown Giving Program available to their employees.