Classroom Insider: Connecting Metals
Classroom Insider: Connecting Metals
Paige Watkins
October 19, 2017
“Welding is fun and teaches you skills that you can use in the real world: hands on learning,” says Preston Rogers, a student in Mr. Pickens Welding I class.
Mr. Pickens has been teaching Welding classes for over 20 years; 23 years to be exact. Seeing students progress through the steps and accomplish different tasks is one of the main reasons Pickens loves to teach welding. Ever since he was in high school, Pickens has shown an interest in welding. One of the most rewarding parts of his job is, every year, two or three students graduate and pursue a career in welding, just as he did.
“Best class I’ve ever taken!” says Trey Smith, a senior at FHS.
In welding, there are a lot of safety precautions and techniques, which takes up to three years to learn the trade. Mr. Pickens first and third period classes are currently working on gas welding, and his second period is working on SMAW and GMAW welding. Mr. Pickens also taught a Public Safety Class last year, but welding will always be his favorite subject to teach.
