Every spring, while high school students across the state are preparing for their CAPT exams, the seniors in Mark Belade’s class are planning for a different test.
The students get to school early, show up on weekends, to hone their skills involving heating, ventilation and air-conditioning.
“For about three to four weeks straight we worked,” said senior Dave Walsh, from Shelton. “We would come in early and start practicing. And practice for a full day.”
Belade teaches the upperclassmen in the HVAC shop at Emmett O’Brien Technical High School in Ansonia — and for the past five years his students have come in first in the statewide technical exams known as NOCTI (short for National Occupational Competency Testing Institute).
The HVAC portion of the test involves two tasks — fixing a refrigerator problem and starting up a gas furnace, Belade said.
It’s a chance for students in the state technical high schools to show that they’ve mastered the technical skill they’ve worked four years to learn. Each student is tested separately, and their scores are combined with classmates at their school to rank school performance.
“It’s a high stakes test,” Belade said. “It’s a hands-on test.”
And Belade’s students come out on top year after year.
Coworkers and students attribute the results, in part, to Belade’s dedication as a teacher.
Belade, a Shelton resident, was recently named Teacher of the Year at Emmett O’Brien — an honor bestowed upon one teacher each year by a vote from the other teachers and staff at the school.
The Teacher of the Year from each technical high school in the state goes on to compete for a statewide technical high school Teacher of the Year award, to be picked later this year.
“Everyone has 100 percent respect for him,” said senior George Hlavacek, also from Shelton. “He treats us like he wants us to treat him. He understands us. He’s not just teaching us. He’s like a friend.”
Belade’s coworkers and students called him structured, but flexible. Firm, but fair.
“He puts a lot of energy into it,” said Daniel Nemergut, the school’s athletic director. “He’s a no nonsense guy. He is. The kids respect him because he’s firm, fair and consistent. He follows through.”
Belade grew up in Shelton, where he attended Shelton High School and played basketball, football and baseball. Mayor Mark Lauretti was his basketball coach.
“I know his work ethic,” Lauretti said. “I know his background. I know his commitment.”
Lauretti called Belade “high energy” and “very enthusiastic.”
“He cares,” Lauretti said.
Belade worked in the HVAC industry, then started teaching 18 years ago at a private school. He started teaching HVAC at Emmett O’Brien 14 years ago, and became the department head in 2001. He works there with Dominic Lemma, who teachers the underclassmen.
The Shop
The students at a technical high school spend 90 days each year in their chosen shop and 90 days in other academics.
That means Belade spends six-and-a-half hour days with his students for 90 days each year, for four years straight.
“I love what goes on in here. I love what we do,” Belade said. “We make a difference. They’re great kids. You form that bond in the four years you work together.”
The students learn the theory of their trade, then eventually build upon that knowledge by working in the school, and eventually on projects outside of school. In some cases, the students are helping rebuild homes that were destroyed by fire, or where other problems have left homeowners in the lurch.
“You can’t beat that for hand’s on experience,” Belade said.
When asked how he feels about being named Teacher of the Year, Belade brought the honor back to his students.
“It’s so nice,” Belade said. “I’ve got a nice senior class to share it with.”
