Around 656
Faribault Public Schools Monthly Newsletter
Good things happen in our schools every day, and this year we're creating a new way to recognize them. Parents, staff and students can submit a short recognition using this link or scanning the QR code. Some submissions may be highlighted on the district website or shared directly with the individual being recognized.
We are proud to celebrate Correen Bronstad, Health Services Coordinator and Licensed School Nurse, who was recently named the School Nurse Organization of Minnesota (SNOM) School Nurse Administrator of the Year!
Correen says she is “deeply honored” by the recognition, but sees the award as a reflection of the collective work happening across Faribault Public Schools. She shared, “This recognition reflects not only my leadership, but the collective commitment of our school nursing team and the collaboration of educators, administrators, families, healthcare providers, and community partners who work together to support the health and success of students in Faribault Public Schools.”
In her role, Correen has focused on building sustainable systems, supporting professional nursing practice, strengthening collaboration and advocating for equitable, student-centered health services across the district. Her work is grounded in the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) School Nursing Practice Framework, which guides the team in delivering evidence-based care, coordinating services, promoting public health and strengthening systems of support for students.
At Faribault High School, students interested in automotive technology have the opportunity to learn by doing. With approximately 230 students enrolled in automotive courses this year, the program gives students hands-on experience with the systems, tools and technology used in today's automotive industry.
Faribault offers a variety of automotive courses, including Automotive 1, Automotive 2, Exploring Automotive, Powersports, Automotive Services 1 – Brakes, and Automotive Services 2 – Electrical Diagnostics and Engine Performance. The courses allow students to explore automotive technology at different levels while developing skills that can be applied in the workplace and beyond. "Automotive Technology is a comprehensive gateway to the skilled trades by combining electrical, mechanical, fabrication, HVAC, hydraulics, and computer diagnostic systems into a single hands-on learning environment," says automotive instructor Greg Boyd.
The program's automotive shop gives students the space and equipment to put those skills into practice. The facility includes six automotive lifts, an alignment rack and diagnostic equipment for multiple vehicle brands. Students also work on vehicles that have been donated to the school, providing opportunities to apply classroom learning to actual vehicles.
At the beginning of the school year, students focus on safety and shop procedures before moving into the technical skills and systems covered throughout the program. As students progress, they work with increasingly complex automotive systems and learn how to diagnose and solve problems. "I hope students who have taken any of the classes in the automotive program obtain the confidence to solve complex puzzles and fix real-world problems," says Boyd.
Those real-world connections extend beyond the classroom. Faribault High School has partnerships with Ford and General Motors that provide students with brand-specific training. Students can also take ASE certification tests and have opportunities to earn certifications through Ford and GM. The program also connects students with local employers through the school's work-based learning program. Current students are working in local automotive shops, giving them an opportunity to experience the industry while still in high school.
Work-based learning allows students to see how the skills they are developing in the classroom translate to an actual workplace. They gain experience working alongside professionals while learning more about the expectations and responsibilities that come with a career in automotive technology. The program provides a variety of pathways for students after graduation. Recent graduates have gone directly into work at local automotive shops, while others have continued their education at technical colleges.
For students considering a career in automotive technology, the combination of classroom instruction, hands-on experience, industry partnerships and work-based learning provides an opportunity to explore the field before graduation.The skills students develop also have applications beyond automotive careers. Diagnosing a vehicle problem requires students to gather information, consider possible causes, use technology and equipment, and determine a solution. Learning to approach those challenges with confidence is one of the most important outcomes of the program.
With access to industry equipment, brand-specific training and opportunities to work in local shops, Faribault students are gaining practical experience while exploring what a future in the skilled trades could look like. The goal is not simply to teach students how to work on vehicles. It is to give them the knowledge, experience and confidence to solve problems—both in the automotive shop and wherever their future takes them.
