Automotive Technology

Mission Statement

The Automotive Technology Program will provide an educational environment for students to acquire professional, research, and technical skills necessary for success in the automotive industry and other related industries.

Goals of the Program

To provide opportunities for students to develop:

Critical thinking and technical problem solving skills related to automotive service and maintenance in a business setting.
Technical knowledge, understanding and skills for applied tasks of the ASE/NATEF Accreditation under the Maintenance and Light Repair Category.
Computer Knowledge and skills to research, manage, and report and present industry related data.
Industry business/management knowledge and professional practice.
Awareness of the safety and environmental concerns related to the industry.

Certifications and Opportunities in the Automotive Program

Students enrolled in the automotive technology program will have the opportunity to take industry based certifications as categorized by the Automotive Service of Excellence Organization. First year automotive students will work towards understanding the skills and knowledge required for maintenance and light repair certification status. Second year students will dive deeper into individual automotive systems to earn certifications in automotive system categories such as Maintenance and Light Repair, Steering and Suspension, Brakes, Electrical, and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning and others. Third year Auto Tech students, now equipped with extensive maintenance and light repair skills and knowledge can now look towards finding employment within industry to begin their journey to becoming an automotive maintenance and service technician. Seniors students will want to meet hiring requirements at local automotive maintenance and service centers to gain employment in the industry and with the help of our instructors can find an opportunity working for a local repair and maintenance facilities starting out as a Service Porter or Express Maintenance and Lube Technician.

Students in Action!

Current Auto Tech II students performing repairs and services on a live vehicle provided by staff at the Ratteree Career Development Center.

Meet the Instructors

Manuel Morales

Mr. Morales has served Irving ISD for 11 years as an educator. His specialization and previous work experience is based in the automotive service industry, where he worked as a general service technician for Toyota of Irving for approximately 7 years. As a general service technician, Morales was responsible for performing routine maintenance and repair services on customer vehicles; everything from simple oil changes to performing diagnosis on electrical systems to troubleshooting problematic symptoms based on customer concerns.

Mr. Morales currently holds several Automotive Service Excellence Certifications, including (A4) Steering and Suspension, (A5) Brakes, (A6) Electrical and Electronic Systems, (A7) Heating and Air Conditioning, and (G1) Maintenance and Light Repair, Section 609 Environmental Certification for Air Conditioning Recovery and Handling and has OSHA 10-Hour Industrial Safety Training. Morales continues to learn and is keeping up to date with training to stay current with industry trends and expand his knowledge and expertise in the world of automotive service and maintenance and is working towards achieving reaching status of an ASE Master Technician.

Mr. Morales, alumni at the James A. Ratteree Career Development Center of 2008, can relate to students who are enrolled into Irving ISD's Automotive Technology Program. Morales knows what it takes for students succeed and strive in both the automotive technology program and industry being an alumni. Now in the driver's seat of the Irving ISD Automotive Technology Program, he serves as a role model and coach to students, helping future student technicians success!

David Diaz

Mr. Diaz is a new teacher to Irving ISD, but brings very valuable professional experience in the automotive industry . His specialization and previous work experience is based in the automotive service industry, where he worked as a Ford Service Technician for Park Cities Ford Lincoln of Dallas. Diaz also attended Brookhaven College and graduated with an Associates degree in Applied Science and obtained an Automotive Technology certification through the Ford Masters Apprenticeship program Ford ASSET. As a Junior Master Ford Technician, Mr. Diaz was responsible for performing diagnosis and repair services on customer vehicles; everything from simple oil changes to performing complex diagnosis on several parts of a vehicle including the heating and air-conditioning system, suspension and steering system issues with vibration/ harshness diagnosis , engine performance diagnosis, electrical diagnosis, interior and exterior trim removal and installation.

Mr. Diaz currently holds the ASE Electrical Systems A6 , ASE Maintenance and Light Repair G1, and 609 Environmental Certification for Air-Conditioning Refrigerant Recovery and Handling certifications. Mr. Diaz also has several Ford manufacturer certifications obtained during training while in the Ford ASSET program. Certifications include Engine Performance , Engine Removal & Replacement , Transmission Repair , Light Duty Diesel Repair and Diagnosis , Air Conditioning Service, Steering and Suspensions Service and Repair, NVH Diagnosis, and Automotive Electrical Systems. Diaz plans on further become accredited by obtaining the adjacent ASE certifications and become Master ASE Certified.