Brendan Monaco says that he knew college was not where he wanted to be after he graduated from high school. “I was a very hands-on individual and that is what interested me,” he says.
It was during an open house at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center that he met Scott Brauer, the Project Based Engineering (PBE) teacher. “I thought this is where I want to be and what I want to learn. I wanted to get into the trades and this seemed like the perfect fit for me.” In 1998 he stepped foot into the classroom and never looked back. “I loved going to school there. The teachers are phenomenal. I got very actively involved in SkillsUSA and became President. My time there had such an impact on me and I really enjoyed every minute.”
While in the program he had the opportunity to capstone at Voss Manufacturing Inc. Capstoning is a paid work experience or career and technical education students that allows them to discover the connection between academics and employment while they work with experienced professionals and learn marketable job skills.
After going straight into the workforce after graduation in 2000, Brendan eventually had a change of heart about continuing his education. He went to SUNY Niagara (then known as NCCC) and got an associate’s degree in Mechanical Design. He then to decided to follow in Mr. Brauer’s footsteps and got his bachelor’s degree in Career and Technical Education at Buffalo State College. “I talked to Scott about becoming a teacher and he really encouraged me. He was a huge help with advising me and just very supportive of me going in that direction. It took me a while because I was working and had just got married. I was pretty busy.”
After graduating with his bachelor’s degree, he started teaching adults in Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ Continuing Education program. “I have been doing this for three years now. I love being able to help people learn new things and push them to do their best. People don’t think they can do it and I show them if they give 100% that they can. It is very gratifying to see people come out of my program and being able to get a job. I always tell them if they can put their minds to it, they can do it. It is a great feeling as a teacher to see them succeed.” Mr. Brauer is obviously very proud of his former student. “Brendan was one of the kindest and hardest working students I’ve ever had. He always took the lead in class, helping others and has continued that work through his professional life. He’s been a teacher with our adult education program for years and my hope is he will continue the legacy of caring, teaching, and inspiriting future generations of makers and builders in my classroom when I retire.”
