Schools

Plant City High Teacher Honored For Electrifying Curriculum

Following a career as a journeyman wireman, a Plant City high school teacher is being honored for inspiring students to follow his lead.

PLANT CITY, FL — Following a career as a journeyman wireman, a Plant City high school teacher is being honored for inspiring students to follow his lead.

Plant City High School teacher Fernando Guillen has been named the national Electrician of the Year by Klein Tools.

Guillen started the electrical program at Plant City High School in August 2016. Since leaving his career to pursue teaching, he has grown the program from one class period to six with more than 50 students for the 2019-20 school year.

Find out what's happening in Plant Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Klein Tools presents its annual Electrician of the Year – Head of the Class award to those who inspire and educate the next generation of skilled professionals. Guillen stood out over instructors at the college, community college and technical college level.

As the 2019 grand prize winner, Klein Tools awarded Guillen a check for $1,000 along with $1,000 in Klein Tools products to help support the fast-growing electrical program at Plant City High School.

Find out what's happening in Plant Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We are happy to present Fernando as the 2019 Electrician of the Year – Head of the Class," said Greg Palese, vice president of marketing at Klein Tools. "Each year, we review hundreds of applications from talented electricians with incredible stories and achievements. As a graduate of a local career technical education electrical program, trade school and IBEW apprenticeship, Guillen's commitment to his students really stood out in our minds as someone who is not only dedicated to his job, but who is an ambassador of the important work electricians do every day. By sharing his story, we hope to encourage the next generation of tradespeople to follow in his footsteps."

Palese said Guillen's longtime relationship with SkillsUSA, the nation's largest career and technical education organization, paired with heartwarming stories from his students made him an ideal recipient of the award.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here