Electricity/Electronics teacher Isaac Dauphin says he’ll never forget walking into Bill Leggett’s Electricity/Electronics class at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center. He was touring the career and technical education classes in 10th grade. “I was really drawn in by all the gadgets and blinking lights and thought it would be a good program for me.”
It certainly was, as he learned valuable skills that solidified his choice of being an electrician. “It was a great alternative to traditional home school for me,” says the 2016 Royalton-Hartland graduate. “I will be honest, when I was at my high school my grades were in the 70’s. I thrived at BOCES. I was in the high 90’s and even when I went on to Alfred State, I made the Dean’s List and maintained high grades. It just goes to show when you are learning something you are really care about, it makes all the difference.” He also says being a SkillsUSA had a huge impact on him. “It’s a great organization and I really enjoyed the competing and teamwork involved. I encourage my students to get involved because it was such a positive experience.”
After graduating from Alfred State College in Electrical Construction, Isaac went into the workforce as an electrical assistant, an electrician and moved up to being an electrical foreman as he continued to hone his skills and increase his knowledge. But fate had other things in store for him. While attending a Buffalo Bills game, he ran into Mr. Leggett. “We were talking and I told him how much I admired all the years he spent teaching and I was thinking of potentially becoming a teacher myself, “says Isaac. “He mentioned that they were looking to hire someone at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center (NCTEC) for the Electricity/Electronics program and I should apply. So, I did.”
Isaac was hired to teach in 2023. “I have to give a huge shoutout to Bill Leggett for helping me get settled and mentoring me over the past three years. He is a great example of how to be an outstanding teacher. He was a huge inspiration to me and a huge help in getting started.” Isaac says he thinks being a teacher is awesome. “I really enjoy working with the students and giving back to BOCES by teaching and sharing my experience. My goal is not to make my students electricians, but to make them employable when they graduate. We focus not only on electrical work, but soft skills, which are so important to employers.” He adds that he is incredibly grateful for the warm welcome he received at NCTEC. “I can’t say enough about my colleagues, especially Scott Brauer who has been my mentor and such a huge help. I have never had such amazing colleagues where I have been employed. They are always willing to help and check in on me to make sure I am doing good or if I need advice.”
“It brings me great joy to hear from former students who pursued a career in the electrical field and are currently employed doing electrical work,” he says. “I am thoroughly impressed every day by the work and problem-solving my students are willing to explore. I love to see the excitement and passion grow in my students as we progress through the year. It’s nothing less than a privilege to be able to guide my students into a field that I care for so much, a field where they can grow with never-ending potential.”
