Burnet High School senior Ellett Vann (left), his father and agriculture teacher Joe Vann, and junior Kyle Wall discuss the progression of a woodworking project. Joe Vann was voted the Locals Love Us favorite school teacher in the Burnet area. Staff photo by Connie Swinney
BURNET — With two dozen years as a Burnet High School agriculture and woodworking teacher, Joe Vann has passed along his expertise to several generations of students.
“It’s very humbling,” Vann said. “Over the holidays, I was in our local grocery store, and I think I saw seven young adults with children now that I have taught in my program.”
The Picayune readers and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune listeners recently voted Vann as the 2018 Locals Love Us favorite school teacher in the Burnet area.
Vann's son Ellett, a Burnet High School senior, said his father’s philosophy as well as his expertise have made him a favorite teacher for years.
“Over the years, he’s just had so much experience and so many kids go through here that he’s made a huge impact in this community,” Ellett said. “He is very good about connecting with kids.
“He creates personal relationships with the kids that last for a lifetime,” the younger Vann added.
His classmates agreed.
“He’s taught us a lot about what I want to do later in life, which is ag mechanics,” junior Kyle Wall said. “There’s not that many adult role models in my life, so he’s a really good teacher.”
In his own words, Vann’s “passion” for not only the woodworking trade but also the success of youngsters has given him hope for the future.
“There was a long period of time where it was believed that every student had to go to college to be a success,” Vann said. “There are many labor jobs that pay as much as a college graduate would get.
“We want our young men and women to realize that craftmanship, the ability to weld, or the ability to do woodcrafts or engineering, has a role, and you can make a living doing those things,” the teacher said.
About 300 students participate in the Burnet High School career and technical education program, which includes agriculture, carpentry, welding, and construction classes.
“We want our students to know that, if they want to go to electrician school, plumbing school, or go to one of our trade schools, we’re going to help them get there,” Vann said. “Our goal here, which matches our school district goal, is to produce productive citizens.”
Vann said his proudest moments were advising and guiding students through competitions and projects.
“They dreamed it, and they built it,” Vann said. “You can’t beat that.”
connie@thepicayune.com
