The AWS Instructors Institute provides welding instructors an opportunity to enhance and strengthen their teaching skills, experience hands-on learning of new teaching techniques, and learn more about programs and resources AWS offers tailored to support educators.
Each year, a welding instructor is selected at each of the 22 District Conferences to attend the institute, held in Miami (Doral), Florida at AWS headquarters.
This week-long event offering both in classroom and hands-on welding lab sessions gives participants the opportunity to communicate and share their experiences with fellow instructors in a setting that is devoted to their specific concerns.
For more information, Contact Martica Ventura at mventura@aws.org.
J. Jones and Dr. Richard Polanin have worked together for years to provide instructors with an opportunity to enhance and strengthen their teaching skills, experience hands-on learning of new teaching techniques, and learn more about programs and resources AWS offers tailored to support educators.
J. Jones was elected to serve as vice president, is district sales manager at The Harris Products Group. Throughout his over 40-year membership with AWS, he has held leadership roles at the Section and national levels. This includes serving as executive committee director in 2019 and AWS District 17 director for 15 years. He is also an AWS Certified Welding Educator (CWE).
Dr. Richard Polanin is a former AWS President and Vice President. He is a retired professor and program chair of the manufacturing engineering technology and welding technology programs at Illinois Central College, where he continues to teach. He is currently the co-principal investigator for Weld-Ed, chair of the AWS Peoria Section, vice chair of the International Institute of Welding Commission XIV, and president of WRP Associates. He is also involved in several AWS committees