‘I thought it was a scam’: Then, Jay Kuykendall realizes he’s a national award winner
Story by Misty Bouse. Photos by James Hill.
Jay Kuykendall is the Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year for 2024.
Portland Community College Automotive Service Technology Program instructor Jay Kuykendall of Molalla has been named the 2024 Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year by the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT).
The Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year award recognizes excellence in automotive education and requires recipients to excel in ASE automotive tests A1-A8, which include categories like engine repair, brakes and engine performance. Recipients must also pass the L1 Advanced Engine Performance exam. Kuykendall received a one-year subscription to Mitchell 1’s ProDemand auto repair information software, an NACAT membership and an all-expenses-paid trip to the NACAT conference.
“I’m just starting my 10th year here at PCC,” he said. “Being awarded educator of the year was a very humbling experience. I work with a great group of talented instructors and staff in the program, all of whom are just as deserving. My hope is that it results in additional exposure to our program, allowing us to help more students who want to be part of the automotive industry.”
Automotive Service Technology
PCC is a hub for career technical education training. For those wanting a career in automotive technology, the college’s program offers flexible training and resources to support all students to either earn a short-term certificate in a speciality or a two-year associate degree.
Initially, Kuykendall thought the award was too good to be true.
“When I was first contacted, I thought it was a scam,” he chuckled. “Why would they pick me when there are so many great automotive instructors out there? Now I feel like I need to work harder to live up to the award, not for myself but for the students here at PCC.”
In his role, Kuykendall oversees the auto shop lab and teaches engine performance classes, along with elective courses like Subaru U, electrified vehicles and light-duty diesel. Outside of teaching, he owns and operates Green Flag Auto Repair in Molalla and co-founded the Northwest Automotive Technicians Society. He is also a certified ASE Master Technician. He said teaching within a career technical education program is very rewarding.
“We are lucky in CTE programs because we often get to spend much more time with our students than in a traditional academic program,” he said. “It’s nice to get to know a lot more about the individual students while they are here.”
“I grew up with my family racing at the local short track,” he said. “I helped my dad and brothers work on the race cars, and in high school my sport was drag racing.”
After attending trade school, he began working in the automotive field immediately after graduating from college and the rest is history.
His program is critical for the local automotive service industry. PCC-trained automotive service technicians are in high demand due to a national shortage of skilled workers. Graduates of the program find employment opportunities across dealerships, independent garages, service stations, and specialty shops, with jobs available in virtually any location. Having recognized and talented instructors in the program is key to its continued success.
For more information, visit pcc.edu/programs/auto-service/.