CAAS Alumnus Chad Warnick is Utah’s Teacher of the Year

It’s tempting to say that great teaching is just part of Chad Warnick’s DNA. After all, being honored as Utah’s 2023 Teacher of the Year came 32 years after his father, Waldo Warnick, won the same award. But saying it all comes naturally discounts the tremendous amount of effort and care that Chad has invested in the thousands of young people he has taught during his 17-year career.

When Chad arrived as a freshman at Utah State University, he knew he wanted a career in youth development with agriculture. An academic advisor helped him chart a course in agricultural education, and he earned a bachelor’s degree in 2006 and a master’s degree in agricultural systems and technology in 2009. In the classroom and through leading FFA opportunities, Chad knows he can make a positive difference in the lives of his students and share the importance of agriculture.

His broad training at USU helped prepare him for a myriad of teaching roles — currently in agriculture, biology, leadership, and communications at the Delta Technical Center (DTC) in Millard

By Lynnette Harris

story about his award, Chad was nervous when administrators told him his career and technical education courses would include teaching a floral design class. When he said he didn’t know how to do floral design, the response was that he’d better learn. He took that advice, and former students have since thanked him because they were confident enough to create bouquets and other pieces for their weddings.

He involved students in planning and proposing the creation of facilities where agricultural education is a hands-on experience. Encouraged by his father, who was teaching wood shop in Delta at the time, Chad and his students developed plans for a school farm which was approved by the school board. The result is a barn for goats, pigs, and cattle, and a greenhouse at the DTC. Work is underway this school year to establish an orchard.

Waldo, who earned his master’s degree in industrial education at USU in 1975, continues to cheer on his son’s efforts to teach skills that former students thank him for years after they graduated. Chad’s other supporters include his wife Traci, who teaches in the Tintic School District and earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education at USU in 2005.

Beyond his family, Chad said his primary motivation remains his students. “It’s the little things that keep me motivated,” he said. “It is a student winning a contest, a text telling me they got a job due to their job interviewing skills. It’s the thank-you notes from students, and seeing a student grow as a person.” �

By Marcus Jensen, USU Marketing and Communications

Jordan Packer, a welding student at Utah State University Eastern, took third place at the WorldSkills Special Edition welding competition in October. In addition to winning a bronze medal for the United States, Packer also won the “Best of Nation Award” by achieving the highest score of any US WorldSkills contestant in their respective competition.

Packer, a welding major from Provo who has been a competitive welder since his sophomore year in high school, faced off against 20 other competitors representing their countries over the 20-hour contest that took place over four days. Each participating nation is allowed to enter a single contestant.

“I have been training for this competition since August of 2021,” Packer said. “Before that, I had to win the state competition and do well at nationals to even be invited to compete in the trials process. The trials process is invitation only and is what selects the sole competitor to represent the United States at WorldSkills. It’s an eight-month-long process to even get to represent the U.S.A.”

Packer’s bronze medal finish marks the first medal won by a United States welding competitor at WorldSkills since 2013. He scored 726 of a total of 800 points, placing just seven points out of first place – a difference of less than one percent.

WorldSkills is the technical-skills equivalent of the Olympics, and Packer is the second USU Eastern welding student to represent the United States at WorldSkills. Chandler Vincent of Roosevelt, Utah, placed fifth at WorldSkills 2017 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Just 16 welding contestants have qualified to represent the United States at WorldSkills since 1991.

Having seen Packer progress in the welding program and been among the coaches to prepare him for competition, instruc-