MTTIA Welcomes New President and is Hopeful for In-Person Conference

The Midwest Teachers of Transportation and Industrial Areas (MTTIA) is hopeful that their annual conference will be held in-person on August 3-5, 2021 at Central Lakes College with the evening activities taking place at Cragun’s Resort and Hotel in Brainerd, MN. MTTIA continues to monitor local, state, and national guidance regarding safe return to in-person activities.

MTTIA recognizes how crucial it is for transportation teachers to stay up-to-date. Their annual conference provides hands-on training sessions with the latest vehicle technologies and classroom teaching strategies from professional trainers and OE manufactures. The sessions feature advanced hands-on training in the areas of: Automotive, Auto Body and, Diesel Equipment and Heavy Truck. There is also introductory hands-on training in the areas of Small Engines/Powersports and Welding.

The organization changes leadership each year and when asking outgoing President, Jon Friton, what leading MTTIA has meant to him, he fondly responded with “The MTTIA family means a lot to me. First, my professional development has been greatly advanced by my attendance each summer learning about all kinds of new technologies.  Secondly, the connections with other teachers around the state have been very helpful as we all share in the same challenges with students and administration. Lastly the personal relationships that are formed around the picnic tables after suppers are some of my favorite memories from the MTTIA conference. As to my years leading the conference, I felt the need to give back to the organization that did so much for me at the beginning of my time as a teacher and continues to help the teachers of the upper mid-west educate the next generation of technicians.”

 I felt the need to give back to the organization that did so much for me at the beginning of my time as a teacher

Jon Friton

MTTIA has officially welcomed in their new president for 2021, Dan Boddy. Dan was born and raised in New Ulm Minnesota in a neighborhood of car enthusiasts. It was there where he learned a lot of the automotive skills he stills uses today. After high school, he enrolled in college in North Mankato at the Mankato Area Vocational and Technical Institute (now South Central College). He then entered in the auto collision industry in 1985 and held a lot of different positions in the field from a Frame Tech to an Insurance Adjustor. In 2012 he was offered the position to start at South Central College replacing his former instructor Alan Kunz and shares his duties in the Auto Collision program with Jay Winters.

Dan has many hobbies that he enjoys with his wife Melanie and their daughter Meghan and son Matthew and many friends. They include NHRA drag racing in Pro ET, Super Pro, Super Comp and Super Gas categories. His winters include snowmobiling and serving as the President of the Nicollet County Trail Assoc. which involves many club activities. He also has a shop at home that he’s able to work on cars in. His current projects are a NHRA legal Super Gas Corvette roadster and a 1970 LS6 Chevelle.

While talking to Dan about his new leadership position at MTTIA he stated that “One of the things that excites me about the organization is continuing the tradition of MTTIA as a good source of instructor training and getting to know the fellow instructors.”

Dan has belonged to MTTIA since 2013 and has been teaching since fall 2012. He says that the best part of the conference for him is the information he receives from industry professionals and swapping stories with his fellow instructors. 

2021 Conference details

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New Teacher Tuesday

If you’ve been a teacher in transportation for less than three years, you are invited to a special Tuesday morning kick-off packed with great information and special guest speakers! For more information, please e-mail Carl Borleis at [email protected]. To register, click here!

Administrator Session (New for 2021)

We are inviting all deans, vice-presidents, principals, CTE coordinators, and Perkins coordinators to a special session. From 10:00-3:00 on Tuesday August 3, 2021 you are invited to lunch, the keynote speaker, and a series of special sessions designed to help you understand and support your transportation programs and teachers. There is no cost to this part, but registration is required. You can register here!

Keynote Speaker

The 2021 keynote speaker will be George Arrants, the Vice President of the ASE Education Foundation.

Benefits Beyond Just Annual Training

• Certificate for 20 hours of CEU’s for program accreditation and teacher training requirements + Partnership with St. Cloud State University making training eligible for college credit
• Trade show vendor tool & equipment discounts
• Network with industry and employers

Conference Registration and More Information

• Register by July 26, 2021 for the rate of $150 (Registration link will be available soon!)
  • Costs for conference, travel, and lodging are Perkins eligible
• Late and same day registration rate is $175

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