Principal Shelette Pleat took to the classrooms of Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education Center – Albany Campus recently as she accepted the offer of a senior to learn how to change a car’s oil.
Saying the principal is always mentioning that she doesn’t know anything about cars, Automotive Trades Technology senior Dominick Champagne recently offered Pleat the opportunity to learn.
“I knew she would (accept the challenge) because she always says that she likes to learn new things,” Champagne said. “I was still so happy, though.”
Pleat not only took the challenge, but excelled, learning not only how to change oil, but also how to rotate tires.
“She got right in there and did it all,” said Champagne, who attends BOCES from Guilderland High School.
Classmate Ashton Alexson said having the principal become a student was “fun.”
“It was a good experience and showed me what it’s like to be a teacher. I enjoyed showing her something that I know and am good at,” the Mohonasen senior said.
Pleat said she enjoyed the experience.
“It’s important to get out into the classrooms and see what our scholars are learning, experience what we ask them to learn and grow from,” she said.
There are approximately 1,100 students from 27 school districts who attend two-dozen programs on the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center – Center Albany Campus. Pleat said she is open to more challenges from the students.
“Our scholars are a wealth of knowledge. You always can learn something from them,” she said.