Mr. Jesse Traux is a Business Career switcher; he came from the business world to be a teacher. He has been a Business Information Technology teacher at Roanoke Technical Education Center (ROTEC) for 9 years, where he has also sponsored the Patrick Henry High School chapter of the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America).
In addition to being an extraordinary teacher and preparing several students to attend the National Future Business Leaders of America competitions this summer, Mr. Traux can also be found assisting with numerous athletic events such as coaching, announcing games, working as facilities manager, clock operator, and libero tracker.
He spearheaded the drive to help students with learning challenges master and pass critical industry certifications this year. He has provided numerous hours providing both individual and small group tutoring, worked with colleagues to help understand and provide assistance for students struggling with learning challenges (both in and outside the classroom setting), and made sure that no student graduates without some sense of workplace readiness.
Mr. Traux has also devoted a great deal of time outside of the school day mentoring and tutoring new CTE teachers this year, as well as helping colleagues become Microsoft certified. He is a father to 3, grandfather to 3, and well respected colleague to those that know and love him.
Mr. Steve Hoback is a master mechanic who worked at Hart Kia before coming to Roanoke County Public Schools in the fall of 2011 as the director of the Automotive Service Technology program at Burton Center.
He works with a strong advisory group consisting of various industry representatives including members of the Virginia Automotive Dealers Association to ensure his shop is NATEF certified and that his students receive instruction based on the latest industry trends and equipment. As a result of Mr. Hoback’s leadership in the classroom, last year his students earned a total of 122 ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) industry credentials.
Mr. Hoback goes the extra mile, might I say miles, by working with his students toward extracurricular benefits; case in point his engine-building team that placed 6th in the nation in Indianapolis this past December in the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge. Members of that 6th place team earned scholarships to various trade schools across the nation.
He also teaches adult education at Burton Center through Virginia Western Community College in the evenings which is a benefit to local workforce development.
Mr. Hoback is a valued part of the Burton faculty; his expertise in the automotive field is an asset to the region and his ability to convey industry-level content to his students in a high-school setting is exemplary.
