(This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights Marion County Carl Loftin Career and Technology Center automotive instructor Kade Lear.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Baton Rouge, La., Sept. 17, 1998.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I went to Tylertown High School. I went through the same votech automotive program we have here in Walthall County. My automotive teacher got me a job at Napa Auto Parts when I was in the 11th grade and worked my way up to manager. In the process of doing that, I also went to Southwest Mississippi Community College and graduated from the automotive program there.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I am the automotive instructor at the Marion County Career and Technology Center. Every day we start off by going over what we’re going to go over in particular. Then we’ll go over it in the book or I’ll talk to them about when I’ve come across that problem before to give them some relatable events. That way they feel it’s useful information and not just something they have to learn for a test. Then we go out in the shop after we’ve talked about it and get our hands on it. We go over it until they feel confident so they can do it on their own. I also started working as a technician at Mike’s Auto Repair after school and on school holidays about two weeks ago to get more experience to bring it back to the students.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: I was still managing the Tylertown Napa and working as a mechanic and maintenance man on a farm when I came across this job here. This is my first year teaching. I got into the automotive field when one of my friends told me the automotive instructor, Bobby McGinnis, was really cool. He turned out to be a huge role model for me. I got separated from my mom when I was in Tylertown and needed someone to take care of me, and the Tylertown community stepped in and helped me find a place to stay. My automotive teacher was one of them. He really led me into this field. I really loved it from the start because I’ve always loved taking things apart and putting them back together. I like getting dirty. I actually used to get in trouble sometimes at Napa because I would go work on people’s vehicles in the parking lot when they couldn’t figure it out. I couldn’t help but want to help people. I’ve had so many people help me especially as a child in high school. I really wanted to give back, and that kind of led me into the teaching side of it.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I have a passion for helping kids become better adults. This isn’t just teaching them about how to work on cars. This is career and life training. I want to help them become the best men and women they can. If I can help them become better through this industry that would be great, but I really just want to impact their lives.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
A: The numbers. I’ve got relatively small classes, but I’ve already seen challenges in it. I have a class of six, a class of five and a class of nine. The class of nine is more difficult to contain because you’ve got one vehicle, sometimes two, and even if you’ve got two groups I’m bouncing back between the groups. It’s hard to make sure they all can get hands on and learn.
Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career?
A: To always look at the positive side of things. It can always be worse.
Q: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: A veterinarian. I love animals.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I was picking watermelons.
Q: Who are the people who have been most influential in your life?
A: I would definitely say Bobby McGinnis, my high school automotive teacher. Then the guy who actually took legal guardianship of me when I was in high school, Bill Goldman. Both of them have really stepped in and really taken my life into a completely different direction. They made me want to help people, be a better me and put God first.
Q: What is your fiancée’s name?
A: I’m getting married in March to Janna Bridgman.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: Meat and potatoes. I love steak.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Europe. I’d like to travel to several different countries since they’re so close together. I’d also like to go Ireland and Scotland.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I tinker with projects at the house like lawnmowers and old cars. I do farm work and love to play blues guitar. I like spending time with my future wife and my cats. I like to shoot pool with my friends.
Q: What do you enjoy about Marion County?
A: Marion County has much more industry to offer than Tylertown even though it’s still a small town. It has a little bit more of everything. I see a lot more opportunity for job placement, especially for these kids. Every department here at the vocational center has job placement opportunities in Marion County.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be?
A: John Lennon. I did a speech on him in college and learned a lot. I’m a Beetles fan and love the ‘70s era. I’d like to talk to somebody who really lived the culture.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on who you are today?
A: The day I met Jesus. It changed me. I was on a lot darker path in life and didn’t really have any direction. Ever since I embraced my faith, life has been a lot easier. It’s given me hope.
Q: What is one thing you want to do that you’ve never tried?
A: I want to skydive. I’m adventurous and like adrenaline. I think it would be fun.
Q: Using one word for each, what are your top three morals?
A: Honesty, punctuality and loyalty.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: I just want to make a good difference. I haven’t quite figured out what my big break is so far. I’m only 21 years old and teaching school, but I just want to make a difference whether that be with students or in the automotive industry.
—Joshua Campbell
