Instructor Biography
Bryan Christensen
Bryan Christensen comes to New Market Skills Center from the independent automotive service industry. He has over 40 years of experience; starting part-time performing general service and shop maintenance to owner/operator and all points in between. Mr. Christensen (Mr. C for short) is the instructor of Automotive Service Technology (AST). Mr. C is a National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Automotive Technician. ASE is the organization which oversees the certification of independent automotive technicians. ASE is also the accrediting authority of automotive technology courses. Mr. C facilitated AST’s reaccreditation in the late winter of 2020. This accreditation went up a level from Maintenance and Light Repair (MLR) to Automotive Service Technology.
Mr. C is an active member of Rotary International, The Rotary Club of Gateway Thurston County (The world’s largest service organization). He mirrors his ethics and professionalism to those of Rotary. Mr. C is an avid tennis player. He plays primarily doubles in competitive leagues. Just to prepare future students, Mr. C is a big fan of cinema and sports and makes a lot of film quotes and sports references every day. He will also torture his students with dad jokes, since all his children are now adults.
Mr. C earned his Master of Education degree (M Ed) from Western Governors University (WGU) June 30, 2021. His masters degree is in the area of Technology and Learning. He is presently a candidate for The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification (NTBPTS).
Last year, 2021-2022, Mr. C implemented ASE’s Entry Level Certification testing. Students that enroll and pay the registration fee will take the ASE Entry Level Test. Once they pass a test, they receive an Entry Level Certification certificate and a shoulder patch.
Mr. C is reestablishing a SkillsUSA chapter for Auto Service Technology here at New Market. SkillsUSA is a career/technical student organization. SkillsUSA chapters are student-lead. Members are mentored by the chapter adviser, Mr. C, on leadership, team work, 21st Century Skills, community service, and many other activities the students decide to add to the year’s calendar. There are also competitions for vocation related tasks and 21st Century skills. State and national leadership conferences are also available for members.
Mr. C has also found two automotive manufacturing brands, Ford and Toyota, that have online courses that NMSC AST students can register for and, when all completed, they will have the required courses to be able to work in the Maintenance and Light Repair for either company. These courses are free and will provide students with marketable assets for their resumes.