Precision Machining instructor Chris Boede knows firsthand the value of a technical education. As an FVTC apprenticeship graduate who spent two decades working in the manufacturing industry, he returned to the college to share his expertise with future machinists.
Today, he teaches a wide range of courses and enjoys helping students discover what they’re capable of achieving through hard work and continuous learning.
Get to know Chris in our FVTC Faculty Spotlight.
What classes do you teach?
I co-teach 16 of the lab classes in the Precision Machining department. Along with that, I teach four levels of math, two levels of blueprint reading for our apprenticeship program, and then manufacturing and metallurgy class for the Mechanical Design program.
What did you do before you worked at FVTC?
Before starting here, I spent 20 years working in the industry, 12 of which I spent as a machinist and eight as a field service engineer.
Why did you decide to go into teaching?
I had the opportunity to go through the apprenticeship program, and I think right away I connected with the faculty here and I was quite impressed with the lab capabilities. Also, my dad taught at a technical college for 20 years, and I saw how much he enjoyed his job. So when the opportunity presented itself, I thought it was a no brainer.
What do you enjoy most about the classes you teach?
Working with the students, watching their confidence grow through the program. A lot of the students come in not knowing a whole lot when it comes to machining, but then when they graduate, they walk away with a lot of skills. With that comes a lot of confidence.
What’s one piece of advice you have for students?
Never stop learning. The more you learn, the more you can do for yourself and the less you have to rely on others to do for you. Master your trade, but outside of your trade, be a jack of all trades.
Best professional advice you’ve received?
‘Tis better to be three hours too early than one moment too late.’ That was from my dad.
Is there a professional skill you’re currently working on?
Currently I’m pursuing a master’s degree. I have a Journeyman’s card and a bachelor’s degree, and by the end of summer, I’ll have a master’s degree.
What’s one thing about you that might surprise your students?
We have chickens at home that produce eggs every day. They all have names, and when we lose a chicken, we bury them in the backyard and plant a tree on top of it.
What do you like to do outside of the classroom?
All my life, I’ve enjoyed woodworking. My wife and I also enjoy gardening, and my wife, my daughter and I all deer hunt together. So that takes up a lot of the fall and the winter.
What was your first job?
My first job was when I was 13 years old and a freshman at a Catholic school. I worked in the lunchroom, and after school, I cleaned the classrooms and the hallways to help pay for tuition.
What was your best job?
My best job is probably this one. With the diverse population of students, it poses a different challenge every day, whereas in industry, sometimes that challenge is lacking.
Lightning Round
Vacation: beach or mountains?
Mountains
Winter or summer?
Summer
City or country?
Country
Fiction or non-fiction?
Non-fiction
Messy desk or clean desk?
Messy desk. That way I know where everything is.
Cat person or dog person?
We have one of each at home.
Morning person or night owl?
As I get older I’m turning more into a morning person.
And what’s your go to comfort food?
Ooh. Fresh oatmeal raisin cookies from Kwik Trip. Or Hawaiian pizza.
What is the last TV show you binge watched?
The Chosen
