The Educator Think Tank® (ETT) is an exclusive, full-day event tailored specifically for automotive educators. The program features a special lineup of courses designed to address educators' needs and interests, such as presenting techniques, advancements in automotive technology, new learning tools, and other popular topics.
The 2025 event included a roundtable discussion hosted by the previous year's Educator of the Year, Gerrot Jacobson. The roundtable covered a series of topics, with a key focus on attracting the right talent into the industry. "We are not attracting the right kids. When I interview, I interview the person and look for the culture fit," said Keith Perkins, Co-Owner of L1 Diagnostics. Educators are on the front line of addressing the technician shortage, and how schools and institutions attract younger students is fundamental for the industry.
The 2025 event concluded with the presentation of the Educator of the Year award to Ed Jolly, Diesel Mechanic Instructor at Gordon Cooper Tech Center. Jolly's commitment to education in the industry is well-recognized, particularly in the field of diesel technology, and he has a long-standing reputation in the industry.
