Ken Martin retires after 17 years with GHS automotive program
When he was a student at Gilmer High School, Ken Martin learned the value of having teachers who are truly in your corner, which he strove for year after year with his own students in the automotive program.
Now, he’s retiring after teaching at his alma mater since 2008, with a trail of accomplishments to follow. What he’s most proud of, Martin said, is the support he’s been able to provide students as they start working in the industry.
“Mr. Martin has been an institution at Gilmer High School for many years,” GCSS Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley said. “He will be greatly missed.”
Martin graduated from GHS in 1983 and joined the U.S. Navy, which took him all over the world, working on aircrafts, for two decades. He recalled the impact his teachers had on him growing up, while noticing other military recruits may not have had that same positive influence. That’s when he started teaching for the military, answering a calling he felt.
One teacher that really impacted him was his first grade teacher, Mrs. Sweat. When he was home sick with the measles, she helped him catch up on any work missed and was genuinely concerned about why he wasn’t at school.
“I didn’t miss another day of school until I was a senior, when I missed one day to go down [to Atlanta] and join the Navy,” Martin said. “When you have people that believe in you, even though academically, I was not a strong student… it really helped out, having that kind of input.”
After retiring from the Navy, he joined Gwinnett County Fire and Rescue and volunteered with Gilmer’s automotive program when he could, before taking over as the instructor 17 years ago.
The program through the College and Career Academy informs students on shop safety, gives hands-on experience working on vehicles and teaches them how to be technicians before they graduate.
Martin taught the youngest person to be hired at an AutoZone nationwide, who is currently working at the location in East Ellijay and started at just 16 years old.
“We’re trying to train them so when they walk out of Gilmer High School, out of the classroom before they graduate even, they can walk into a shop and they’re familiar with what goes on,” Martin said.
As students get further in the program, the class operates as a full line repair shop. For those who struggle with academics like he did growing up, and may not see the value in sitting at a desk, the hands-on aspect of the program gives them a chance to learn in a different way.
“When they get back here, it’s hands-on … having a connection between the hands and their brain and how to think through the process, it really helps [those students] out,” Martin explained. “And there’s some freedom in knowing how to fix your own car.”
Under his leadership, the Gilmer automotive program has been number one in the nation several times for Ford Automotive Career Exploration (ACE) certifications, which offers web-based training to students wishing to explore automotive service careers.
“I’ve had students getting eight to 10 ACE certifications as an entry-level tech, and we are putting people into the industry locally,” Martin added.
National recognition resulted in some unique perks for the program. In 2023, Ford donated a new F-150 truck as a tool for students to troubleshoot on modern technology in the shop.
“Being number one in the nation is an amazing accomplishment,” Ridley said. “Staying there consistently is even more impressive and a testament to Mr. Martin’s commitment to excellence.”
Many program graduates took the knowledge Martin taught them in auto tech classes to their industry-related jobs in the county, which makes him proud to know he played a part in giving back to the local economy and workforce.
“I’m teaching the children of my former students, so when they come back and they tell me that their dad or mom had me in class, and they have a big smile on their face, that means a lot,” he said. “Now, I’m getting to see them out in the community and they’re very successful.”
Noah Turner, a GHS 2024 graduate, was able to get a job at Ronnie Thompson Ford and still works in the industry thanks to his relationship with Martin, the seven ACE certifications he gained and the necessary skills he learned in the program.
“Getting those certifications gave me the ability to know what it’s like to put in the work and seeing what can happen when you truly apply yourself, especially under someone like Mr. Martin who teaches you not only stuff about cars, but things that apply to the real world,” Turner said.
Martin will miss his students the most, and seeing their ‘aha’ moments when they know they’re able to solve a problem. Just like Mrs. Sweat cared for him in the first grade, Martin looked out, and will continue to look out for his students, understanding the impact a teacher can have.
“When a student walks in, you don’t know what they just left,” Martin voiced. “They may have a positive home environment, they may not. So, if they don’t, sometimes just the fact that you are holding them accountable, but also they know they can count on you, [can go a long way].”
Walking out of Gilmer High’s doors and stepping into retirement isn’t the end of his work with the program. Martin plans to continue his connections at local auto shops, fundraise for scholarships and sponsorships so students entering the field have the mechanical tools they need and supporting the program to the best of his ability.
“I will do whatever I want to and nothing I don’t want to,” he joked about this next chapter of his life.
Martin’s last day in the classroom was Friday, May 23. GCSS transportation technician Damien Baker will be taking over as the automotive instructor.