National CTE Month Stories-David Gutierrez: CTHS welding instructor and mentor

National CTE Month Stories-David Gutierrez: CTHS welding instructor and mentor
Posted on 02/07/2020
National CTE Month Stories-David Gutierrez: CTHS welding instructor and mentor










By: Kadey Heidrich
Pasadena ISD Communications

In honor of National CTE (Career and Technical Education) Month, Pasadena ISD is highlighting the stories of CTE instructors and their dedication to the students they serve.

This week, we’re highlighting David Gutierrez, the welding instructor at the Lewis Career and Technical High School.

Gutierrez was first introduced to welding as a student at Dobie High School. Not long after graduation, he began working in the welding industry.  After gaining considerable experience in the field, he decided to pay it forward and return to Pasadena ISD to teach as a DOI certified instructor.

“Mr. Gutierrez does a wonderful job with our welding students,” says Steven Fleming, principal at CTHS. “He promotes safety and professionalism.”

As an industry professional, Gutierrez pushes his students to perform at a top-notch level, treating his classroom similar to a job site. Prior to starting their workday, students must be in their protective gear and at their stations by a certain time or their points will be docked.  

“He’s showing us how to work properly,” says Eduardo Campuzano, a senior at CTHS. “How to be safe and use our personal protective equipment and tools with care.”

Gutierrez has high expectations for his students and always encourages them to do their best. “Don’t be satisfied with the minimal,” says Gutierrez.

With Gutierrez at the helm, students in his program have won national welding championships three years in a row, along with winning top honors at SkillsUSA competitions, National Craft Championships and the Texas High School Welding Series. His students aren’t the only ones who have been recognized. Gutierrez was named Instructor of the Year during the Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston Construction and Maintenance Education Foundation Workforce Development Awards.

While he may have high expectations for his students, giving is at the heart of Gutierrez’s approach to teaching. During his Hispanic Heritage Month spotlight interview, Gutierrez said that he mentors his students and considers himself to be a living example of what education can do.

“Students pick up a skill that after graduation, they can go work in the industry to provide for themselves and their families,” he says.

Through the welding pathway at CTHS, students learn the skills they need to help them succeed in their skilled trade. Welders are needed in many areas including industrial shipbuilding, onboard ship maintenance and manufacturing and pipeline maintenance.

Welding is one of the 20 career pathways CTHS students can choose from. Learn more about the programs offered by CTHS here: https://careerandtechnical.pasadenaisd.org/

Be sure to check out the Hispanic Heritage Month video featuring Gutierrez here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U4jdXMFa34&t=3s