From the Shop Floor to the Classroom: Finding Purpose in a New Role
There’s a unique energy that fills the air when someone discovers they’re exactly where they’re meant to be. For Michael Arcaro—known to students simply as Mr. Mike—that realization came just weeks into his new role as the Automotive Technology Instructor at United Technologies Center.
After years in the automotive industry, Mr. Mike stepped into the world of CTE education, not entirely sure what to expect. What he found was more than a classroom—it was a community, a purpose, and a front-row seat to the spark of student discovery.
What follows is his story—told in his own words—about how a student, a classic car, and a moment of mechanical problem-solving lit the fire for why CTE matters, and why teaching might just be his most rewarding job yet.
Diagnostic Feelings
Hello and welcome to the short story that inspires me to do what I do. I am Michael Arcaro, a.k.a. Mr. Mike to all of my students and faculty. I am honored to call myself the new Automotive Instructor at UTC in Bangor.
In these short few weeks of my new position, I really feel that I’ve clicked with my students and inspired them to know how things work, ask questions like why and how mechanical things operate. I have shifted my course and presentation to teach my students to have what I call a “Mechanical Mindset”. This works in the automotive industry, homeownership, and or any trade that requires a skill, your hands, and some basic go-to tools to get the job done.
One of my afternoon students Ben, who is an amazing kid that is always willing to put in the extra work and is always a helping hand to his peers and myself in our workplace. One day he asked me for advice on purchasing a new to him 1973 Chevrolet Camaro off of marketplace, Ben and I talked it over and seemed like a great deal, I coached him in some questions to ask about the purchase and before we knew it with the help of his parents, Ben and his hard work paid off, he just purchased his first vehicle. OMG, what a great feeling it is. As I write this, we all remember our first car - it’s a special memory for sure.
I said to give him the option of having it towed to UTC, and I’ll help you get it roadworthy. In turn, I got to meet his Dad as well. The smile on his face when the flatbed tow truck showed up with his Camaro on the back of it, getting dropped off at UTC, and being surrounded by his classmates was fantastic. It was a moment to remember for sure.
Ok, readers, here is when the plot thickens lol his Camaro was in our shop for a couple of days, Ben asked me if it’s OK to fire up the engine for him to check the oil level and see how things were kinda going. I said do you just wanna start your vehicle cause you want to hear how it sounds and you’re excited about it? He said yes, I replied cool. Be honest with Mr. Mike, lol, as I was looking over his shoulder, Ben turned the key, and what we call the industry was a no-crank, no-start, meaning the engine did not fire up. I felt and saw Ben’s energy deflate. Something went wrong with his new car.
I reassured him with the know-how that it’s now time to follow the bouncing ball of the diagnostic process, with the help of another amazing student, Payden, who also loves old Chevrolet square body trucks; they have now become an unstoppable team together. Ben and Payden hit the ground running, looking for what could be the cause of the no-start Camaro situation. They approached me with all the questions; I steered them in the direction to start tracing their steps of what they did before the engine didn’t start. I requested the wiring schematic of the gear shifter that I had seen had not been correctly installed and retained from the past owner. The second I heard Payden and Ben mildly yell out “neutral safety switch,” they were both were on to something. They reached up and twisted the key to the ignition of that old mid-70s 350 cubic inch gasoline-powered engine, and it came to life! So did both of their faces with smiles from ear to ear, that feeling of satisfaction that poured over them was so pure. They figured out a problem, because in life, and especially the automotive industry, there are no problems, there are just always solutions.
More Than a Lesson—A Lasting Impact
Moments like these are what Career and Technical Education is all about. At UTC, instructors like Mr. Mike bring real-world experience into the classroom and shop, helping students not only learn a trade but discover confidence, purpose, and pride in their work.
As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re reminded that the best educators do more than teach—they listen, guide, and empower students to solve problems, take risks, and grow. This story is just one example of the many ways our teachers make an impact every single day.