Mike Godson of Washougal, Wash. was named the 2009 Educator of the Year during the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) Conference held recently at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, N.C.

Each year Mitchell 1 recognizes one of the nation’s top teachers for excellence in automotive repair instruction. Godson was presented with a check for $500 and a recognition certificate. He also receives a one year, complimentary subscription to OnDemand5.com for the school that he teaches at.

Godson is currently head of the automotive department at Clark College in Vancouver, Wash. He is also a Toyota Technical Education Network (T-TEN) instructor, a chairperson on the Toyota T-TEN National Advisory Council, a National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF) evaluation team leader and a Washington Department of Ecology authorized emission specialist. In addition, Godson is ASE Master and L-1 certified.

“Mitchell 1 is proud to join with NACAT for another year to honor those who have demonstrated a commitment to educational excellence in the automotive repair industry,” says Karen Wagner, marketing manager for Mitchell 1. “Mike Godson has an outstanding reputation as an instructor and we feel he is an outstanding choice for this award. Everyone at Mitchell 1 would like to extend our sincerest congratulations to Mike on his achievement.”

Godson graduated from the Arizona Automotive Institute in Glendale, Ariz., in 1977. He received a certificate in automatic transmissions from Clark College in 1978 and graduated from the same school in 1994 with an associate in applied science (AAS) degree. He worked as an automotive technician in various dealerships and independent service facilities from 1978 until he accepted a full-time faculty position in the Clark College automotive department in 1995.

“I have always believed that strong industry experience is a requirement for any automotive instructor,” says Godson. “Staying fully ASE certified and working in the industry during the summer months helps me remain current and proficient with existing automotive technology. The process of continuous learning and demonstration of technical skills lays the foundation for effective automotive training.”

Selection criteria for the Educator of the Year award requires that a master automotive technician excel on all ASE automotive tests, including A1 – A8 (Engine Repair, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle, Manual Drive Train and Axles, Suspension and Steering, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Heating and Air Conditioning, Engine Performance) and the L1 (Advanced Engine Performance Exam).

For more information, visit www.mitchell1.com.