PCHS Auto Shop Instructor has Got it Like Gettle

Wait, a significant, positive story out of Manatee County? Yes, indeed, and on all counts. His name is Sherman Ballard, auto shop instructor at Parrish Community High School, and HE’S GOT IT! You’ve probably heard part of that phrase in TV commercials having to do with the other player in this uplifting story; you know it as... GETTEL’S GOT IT!

On October 5, 2023, Sherman Ballard, on behalf of the auto shop program, accepted a check from Gettel Automotive Group. This is the second benefaction of $25,000 in just two years. During the morning presentation at which students, staff, principal Daniel Bradshaw, and Gettel Automotive representatives were present, along with several Manatee residents and school board members, it was clear that Sherman’s appreciation was sincere and heartfelt, if not overwhelming.

His passion isn’t just auto mechanics – no, far from it – his passion is teaching; his passion is his students. And make no mistake, Gettel isn’t just contributing large sums of money, it is doing much more, as they have already hired two students from Sherman’s program, one who works in their body shop, and another who works in their service department.

Back in his NASCAR days, Sherman was known as Stoney; his students also called him coach. He worked with the premier teams at the highest level of NASCAR as a pit crew member, handling the most physically challenging of duties: tire carrier – literally jumping over the pit lane wall with very heaving wheels and tires and having to do that very quickly, as every second on pit lane is critical. He grew up with racing icons Davey Allison and Kyle Petty, and worked for legends like Donnie Allison, Cale Yarborough, Bill] Elliott, and Dale Earnhardt. Not too surprising, though: Sherman’s dad, Walter Ballard, won Rookie of the Year back in the heyday of stock car racing.

These days Sherman operates the auto shop at Parrish Community High School at a much slower pace, and more importantly, he demands that the auto shop will always be a safety-first environment. All students entering the auto shop program are required to study, and then pass with a 100%, safety examination. Emphasis on safety and best practices is covered in every auto shop class, and at the beginning of each semester, all students – including those who have taken auto shop classes before – are required to thoroughly learn the concepts that make for a safe shop environment.

Sherman holds the highly respected credential of ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) master mechanic, which is recognized nationwide. He currently has 198 students. First-year students learn best practices of shop safety, and then general mechanics. Second-year students focus on electrical systems, and in the third year, they learn steering, suspension, chassis, and engines. The final year of the program rounds out their knowledge of air conditioning, transmissions, and differential drive units. But hitting hard on safety, Sherman requires all students to treat safety as job number one.

As a former master mechanic who still enjoys slinging a wrench, I was invited to inspect the auto shop, but even a quick tour of the facility would leave one with the conclusion that the students have good equipment and an excellent environment in which to learn and excel. Most of all, they have an instructor who truly cares, and who is exceptionally competent at what he does. When I asked Sherman what he could use the most to improve the program, his answer came quickly.

"I really need another teacher," he said. "I try, but I just can’t do it all."

Quite understandable, because after classroom instruction, the students head out to the shop to put theory into practice. But with only ten students going out into the shop at a time (for safety reasons), the other students remain in the classroom, with Sherman trying to do it all. Encouragingly, he somehow gets it done, as the students I talked to are not only smart and eager, they are] quite knowledgeable. But with the addition of another teacher, there’s no telling how far this program can go.

The shop is nicely equipped, sporting five dual-post lifts, and a drive-on alignment rack. The all-important diagnostic equipment and machinery are present, along with excellent lighting and ventilation to keep the shop safe and clean; it is much akin to what one expects to see at a dealership’s service department. Again, thank you to Gettel Automotive, as they also supply the shop with old engines, transmissions, and a myriad of other parts, so that the students will have plenty of hands-on experience. A separate classroom adjoins the shop and has the resources for students to learn all aspects of auto mechanics, including the new era of electric vehicles.

Does the auto shop program have enough resources and funding? Well, considering how much is spent on other programs, I say no. Until the school board realizes how valuable shop classes are, Gettel’s contributions will fill the gaps. The auto shop program will allow students to enter a skilled trade right out of high school, where top performers earn significant salaries. I’m certainly not the first to harp on the fact that there is a staggering lack of skilled trade workers – not just locally – but nationwide.

Cindy Spray, Manatee School Board member, agrees, explaining, "To support the skilled trades is so timely in an era when the country as a whole is lacking men and women to fill those important jobs." She went on to praise Gettel. "I’m not surprised that Mr. Gettel stepped up to the plate again, but I’m grateful for his incredible generosity. If anybody deserves it, it’s these kids right here, in the shop."

Principal Daniel Bradshaw calls the auto shop program "a win-win for everybody, as these kids will have jobs waiting for them." Asked about any cons or drawbacks, he explained, "Only one I can think of – we have more students interested in the program than we can handle. And I’ll tell you something else, there’s never any problems down here [in the shop]. I never hear from them. I couldn’t be happier with the auto shop."

I had the pleasure of talking to several students, and in their eager and optimistic eyes, I saw myself over forty years ago, when my life centered around the auto shop at Dearborn’s Fordson High School. Our benefactor was none other than Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company. Here in Parrish, the benefactor is Mr. Gettel. In my eyes, they are of equal standing.

Eleventh grader Jesus Guerrero, who is employed by Gettel Automotive in the paint shop, thinks the auto shop program is incredible. His passion, too, is cars and trucks. "The mechanic side of this is great," said Jesus, "but if it was possible, I’d add body and paint, maybe a nice spray booth."

Jesus would know. He custom painted his own Ram 1500, and having looked at photos, I can say his work is excellent, and he’s still in high school! Fellow student Harrison Sherrill also complimented the auto shop program, explaining, "It’s nice to have these classes in something we want to do. I can make a career out of this." Indeed he can, and he is already on his way, as Gettel hired him, too; he works there now as an engine and chassis lube tech in the service department.

During the formal presentation, eleventh grader Skyler Johnson talked briefly about the program and shared his appreciation "for the hard work Mr. Ballard puts into it." He thoroughly enjoys shop, and said, "One of the best things about this is that we are free to work on projects. So long as we work the way he teaches us we can work on just about anything on a car so long as it follows ASE syllabus and Department of Education guidelines." His most challenging project to date: replacing a cylinder head and valves. That’s a serious job, and from what I’ve seen and heard, I’d confidently venture to say that it was a success.

Gettel Automotive Group is continuing its significant involvement in local communities by giving yet another $25,000 to a high school in Gainesville, Florida, where auto shop classes are offered. A representative of Gettel Automotive Group explained that Mr. Gettel is more than happy to do this for the schools and the kids, and giving back to the local communities is part of that mission.

I’ve never met the man at the helm of Gettel Automotive Group, but one common theme I heard a lot was: he’s humble and generous. Thank you, Mr. Gettel, your goodwill and philanthropy has touched many. Stoney, thank you isn’t enough; we admire you. You’re a humble and kind man, highly competent in your field, and clearly, your first priorities are the school, students, and the auto shop program. Manatee is blessed to have you.