Taking a class with Lompoc High School teacher Phil Dinter introduces students to some very high-tech machinery.

“I feel like I live in ‘Star Trek,'” said Dinter, referring to a 3-D printer, which he said is like science fiction. “If it were just voice activated. ...”

The three-dimensional printer creates objects with layer upon fine layer of plastic. But rather than being able to just say what they want “printed” - as with “Star Trek's” replicator - students must input a drawing which the 3-D printer's software then interprets.

And this is just one of the machines students in Dinter's drafting and design engineering classes learn to use. But for Dinter, the exciting machineryisn't the point.

“I tell the kids all the time that this will be the stone age in 10 years,” Dinter said. He tells his students this so that they understand that the important thing is the ability to learn the skills.

It is this combination of technology and dedication to teaching that has gotten Dinter named California State Teacher of the Year by the Air Force Association, an award he will receive at the California AFA convention at Edwards Air Force Base in July.

Nominated to the state level after winning the local AFA Goddard No. 266's teacher of the year award, Dinter is particularly well suited for the AFA's award, according to Kris Andrews, Lompoc Unified School District school board member and vice president of Aerospace Education for the AFA Goddard No. 266. Aerospace Education for the AFA Goddard No. 266.

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“From my perspective, California continues to be a state that depends on a constant source of highly qualified technical talent in order to maintain the leadership role for our nation in the area of aerospace,” Andrews said. “Phil's program at LHS is an outstanding model of how we can continue to ‘grow our own' talent and at the same time reach those at-risk high school students.”

A quiet man with an infectious smile, Dinter seems a bit uncomfortable with all of the attention: “It's humbling to be singled out,” he said. “But I believe it reflects on the community of Lompoc and the support of the base and the parents.”

Dinter started teaching industrial arts in 1980 and has seen the field grow to include new technologies. It is the new technologies that excite the educator in him, especially since joining the LHS staff 10 years ago where his classes are part of Regional Occupational Program (ROP) and the Science, Technology and Robotic Systems (STaRS) Academy.

Through the STaRS Academy, Dinter's classes have grown to include not only the 3-D printer but also a CNC (computer numerically control) mill for metal, a CNC router for wood and plastic, a laser cutter engraver, a plastics injection molding and plastic vacuum forming.

Dinter said it takes a year of experimenting with a new machine and the students to see how they learn before he can really let them go on it.

“So at the end of the year, I'm all excited for the next year to start,” Dinter said.

Dinter sees a connection between the technology and his student's excitement to learn: “We introduce them to concepts of high tech manufacturing, doing field trips, and they come away with their heads spinning,” Dinter said. “It's phenomenally motivating.”

Because of the inherent need to know and the allure of technology, Dinter said the students want to help each other and they stay on task.

And what they come away with not only are skills, but hope and confidence.

“I think each teacher teaches hope,” Dinter said, explaining that by helping the students learn how to learn they are given self-confidence and hope.

“They have a skill set of knowing that they can get things done.”

Dinter agrees with Andrews that the classes he teaches are well suited to the needs of the air force: “It is applied skills of science, math and technology which is what aerospace and the military do superbly.”

Dinter's nomination started with a phone call from Andrews who contacted all the schools about nominating teachers for the AFA's local chapter Teacher of the Year.

“The first person I thought of was Phil Dinter,” said Dinter's principal, Art Diaz. Diaz said he knew that Dinter would be a good match for the AFA.

“Phil is someone who is dedicated to helping students and he has contributed to education by being innovative and using technology,” Diaz said. “I don't think you could find a more talented and humble man than Phil Dinter.”

Superintendent Frank Lynch agrees: “Phil is probably one of the finest teachers I've seen in action. He really motivates the students - they love being in his class. When you put that together, it's magical.”

Yet for Dinter, it is all about the students and the programs.

“I stand in awe of these students,” Dinter said. “And I'm so pleased with how the STaRS program has developed.”

In addition to receiving the AFA's state teacher award, Dinter's name has been forwarded for the National AFA Teacher of the Year.

Amanda Brooks can be reached at 737-1057 or abrooks@santamariatimes.com.

June 9, 2008