Jim's Cover Pass: Weld instructor relishes being back in the classroom

Jim's Cover Pass columnist and welding instructor Jim Mosman describes his first day of in-person class after more than a year of navigating virtual instruction. Getty Images

We made it! Or at least we are on our way.

Normally I write this column to provide some insight into a particular welding topic, but I felt compelled to share a recent experience I had that made me feel confident we are moving in the right direction.

For the first time in 14 months I was able to conduct an in-person welding workshop. One year ago in this column, I provided suggestions for online instruction and lab-only learning. It appeared that we would be out of the classroom for only a short amount of time, but we all know now that ended up being well over a year. Some schools’ welding labs were allowed to remain open, while others reverted to web-based instruction.

For the past 14 months I have been providing training across the globe via Zoom and Webex. I was able to see the students and communicate with them via computer. I learned to speak into a microphone and look at a camera as I delivered information. I learned to sit behind a desk or stand in one spot that the camera could pick up. It was a learning curve for everybody involved, but we worked our way through it and are now back in front of a class again.

The Monday morning before the first day of class, I woke up with this special feeling of excitement. I have been a welding instructor now for over 23 years and this is one of the reasons I keep doing this teaching thing. All of the preparation work was complete, and the classroom and lab were set up the week before. Anyone that currently is or has been an instructor may understand this feeling: It is a mixture of excitement, anticipation, and a little bit of self-doubt.

I have had the honor of teaching thousands of welding students in my career, but this group of students are already welding instructors. Some may be rather new, while others may have several years of experience. I had to be on top of my game. I had to be ready.

As they began to arrive, I waited at the door to shake their hand, welcome them, and introduce myself. Instructors traveled from Boston, rural Oregon, North Dakota, North Carolina, and several points in between. After spending over 40 years living in Texas, apparently I am the one with the accent!

We went over the PowerPoint presentations, had good discussions, ate lunch, and then went back into the classroom and covered more topics. When we wrapped up the day, I once again shook their hands and told them I’d see them the next day.

It was at that moment—after that last handshake and everyone had left—that I knew it was going to be all right. We had shared experiences and ideas, had serious technical discussions, and laughed and joked with each other. They made dinner plans and spent time discussing our calling and how similar the trials and tribulations of students were.

They shared this common bond.

This is what is missing with online instruction. The students might receive the information, but it doesn’t have that personal connection. And for me, it felt really good to once again shake hands and say, “It’s good to see you. I’m glad you are here.”