Thanks for 7 Great Years!

[dtengineering]

For the past seven years I have had the pleasure of hearing from our team alumni how their involvement with competitive robotics has helped them to win scholarships and land good jobs.

Now it is my turn to thank the team, our sponsors, and the thousands of volunteers that have made my last seven years as lead mentor of 1346 so great.

Beginning in August I will be taking up a new position as an instructor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, in the Technology Teacher Education Program. I'll be teaching Electronics, Structures and Materials to the "next generation" of shop teachers in BC.

Yes, robots will be involved. In fact, my office will be just down the hallway from BCIT's great robotics program... and just around the corner from where FIRST's "Autodesk Guru" Phil Dollan has hung his hat for many years.

I'm not really happy about having to step down as the guy "Nominally in Charge of Things" for the Trobotics team, or leaving David Thompson Secondary, but after 13 years of teaching high school, I am excited about the chance to teach in a new environment, and finding new ways to support FRC, VEX and other great programs.

I will continue to enjoy being part of the CD community, and am hoping to get out to many VEX and FRC events... perhaps with some new volunteers coming along to soak up the GP goodness.

Thanks to everyone, particularly our incredibly amazing and generous sponsors at General Motors, the great people at FIRST Robotics Canada (we wouldn't have been here without Mark Breadner!), Deb and Kevin and their great teams in Washington and Oregon, and to my team co-sponsors, Allan Chow, Pat Douglas and Gregg Parsons.

But most of all, thanks to the students who have made 1346 what it is. I've never been more proud of a group of young people than I am of you.

Jason

[Rick TYler]

We'll miss you as the representative of DTS, but I'm sure you will be prominent at the VEX event held at BCIT. What do you think -- 100 teams in 2011?

Good luck on your new adventure!

[penguinfrk]

Unfortunately I've never talked to you in person, but knowing a few of the Trobotics kids and how enthusiastic they are really makes me jealous. Hope to talk to you at some events next year! I'll be looking for the nice bright red

[GaryVoshol]

You can't go! All the plants are gonna die!

Jason, I never got the opportunity to meet you in person, but it has been great corresponding with you here. Don't think of this as leaving a position; think of it as an opportunity to do something else Inspiring. It certainly opens you up to volunteering at events. Maybe you can be part of the first western Canada FRC event!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Jason,
Have fun in your new position. Think about inspecting now that you have some free time. I can use someone with a cool head.

[DonRotolo]

Just a new opportunity to inspire students. OK, these are the teachers that are the students, but they're just learning how to pass that inspiration on.

Instead of interacting with a few dozen students at a time, here's a chance to multiply your efforts and get through to a few dozen, who will then teach a few dozen each, and so inspiring a few gross at a time.

Cool.

Jason, best wishes in your new opportunity. Sounds like fun. I'm jealous.

Don

[ttldomination]

I know that when our old head mentor left in order to take care of his business/family, the team felt crushed, but that gave way to a rise of 3-4 parents who really took the reigns, including a new lead mentor.

Congratulations on your position. It's nice to hear that your team has a close replacement, and that you'll still be close to FIRST/Robotics.

[PaW]

Congratulations Jason!
It's been great cooperating with you these past few years (from both the 1318 and 1899 sides of the pits!). You and the team always bring a competitive robot to Seattle/Tacoma. And your website is always top-notch.

Not gonna lie... I'm gonna miss seeing you in "the sea of red".

I hope your 'old team' continues the traditions that you've been such a major part of.

Continue inspiring others!

[Bob Steele]

Someone just told me about this!!
Sorry I didn't catch it this summer!
I hope you are doing well... I know you will be.

It is just not going to be the same without you at our regionals.
I love the way that trobotics seems to come up with such novel ways of dealing with problems

We will miss the hockey sticks... and the friendships that your team and ours developed...

All the best Jason
You are one of the things I like about the Pacific Northwest...

I hope to see you around!!

Good luck!!

Robert