Walking into Autos my junior year wasn’t what I had imagined. Not only was I the only girl in the class but I also saw that giant smile on Mr. Varrelmann's face. As I had started the two year program of Autos through Arrowhead High School, I had little to no experience, but Mr. V changed that quickly.
Every other day you would have demos and the opposite days labs. During demos, he would perform the demos right in front of us. Not only did it personally show us how to change oil or remove a starter but it kept our attention.
Mr. V would say, “These lifts can hold up 2 tons...Unless your girlfriend is up there!” On lab days, Mr. Varrelmann lets you go do your thing and gives you time to fix a Bug car. But when I'm stuck he first gives me hints or tips and then after that he’ll will help and personally show me what was wrong with the car. He also uses a lot of examples from his old mechanic job which gives me more examples or a better meaning to what he is teaching.
I have the hardest time paying attention in class; I typically always have my phone out, talking, or just taking a little snooze; but if V sees any of that, he honks his car horn that is hooked up in the classroom desk or he will personally come talk to you and not make such a huge deal. Mr.Varrelmann has a laid back personality and loves to joke around but when he wants to be serious, everyone knows and instantly pays attention, and not a word is said. The students respect him, his knowledge, his personality and his passion.
Mr. Varrelmann is different than any teacher I’ve ever had. He devotes his time to his students and makes them learn in ways they never have been taught before. He has a different way of teaching that just sticks and is instantly understood. He has a great sense of humor that keeps your attention and gives you a new outlook on his teaching. If your car needed work that was not in the curriculum he would take time out of his day to help, if you needed certain tools they were provided, and if your car wasn’t up to standards to leave it wasn’t going anywhere.
One day I brought my brother’s truck in to put new tires on and balance them. As V inspected them, he had noticed a bolt on the caliper was missing. Even though it was minor and I could have made it home, he would not let that truck move until we got the new bolt. As frustrating as it is, I knew he only wants his students safe.
When going into my senior year in Advanced Autos, the last year of the program, I was excited to know he was my teacher. Every day you walk into his classroom he wears a different fish shirt or something funky, never leaving any moment dull. He not only devotes his time to the classroom and students but he has his own boat repair business, has a family, and is a master mechanic. As busy as he gets, he always puts his students first and makes sure he has a personal connection with everyone.
Mr. Varrelmann gave me a different outlook on cars, he made me see them not only as freedom but as a fun hobby that’s a lot of work! After taking his class, I considered going to schooling for an auto repair technician.
The way Mr. V teaches but also treats you as your own person, has taught me more than I have ever imagined about cars. Mr. Varrelmann is not only a family man, a master mechanic, or a high school teacher, but he is also my car hero. He is a jolly, briany, approachable man that never gives up on you. And to this day that giant smile has a rikoshay effect on all his students.
As I nominate Mr. V for teacher of the year, I not only see this as an award, but as a thank you for all this dedication and hard work he has put into his job. Thank you Mr. Varrelman, for everything.