Forbes named 2014 Best Instructor by industry group
Brian Forbes, an air conditioning, heating and refrigeration instructor at Manatee Technical Institute, has earned the title of 2014 Best Instructor by The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration NEWS and the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). The 15th annual contest recognizes the country’s best educators in the industry. This year, they receive 95 nominations.
“I was on my way home when I got the call,” Forbes said. “I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t expect to win.”
Forbes has been an instructor at Manatee Tech since 2010. He is also the owner of Arcadia Air and Heat, LLC, and co-owner of Family Air, LLC. He has been working in the business his whole life. Today, he devotes his energy to teaching.
According to Jen Anesi, an editor for The NEWS, an HVACR contractor’s weekly news magazine since 1926, The NEWS was very pleased to have presented this award to Forbes. She said, “It was clear that Forbes’ students respect him.”
“Brian received more nominations and higher scores than any other candidate,” Anesi continued. “He was the clear front runner—no one else was even close.”
Anesi said nominations were accepted from mid-April to July. Criteria included how well the instructor was rated by the nominees in a series of teaching elements. They also looked at what nominators wrote about why nominees should be selected for the honor.
“Mr. Forbes is making a difference in his students’ lives,” said Doug Wagner, director of Manatee Technical Institute and Adult Career and Technical Education for Manatee County School District. “He is always learning, and he encourages his students to learn.”
Forbes teaches the most advanced students in the program. He says his mission is to make sure his students are prepared for a job in the field by the time they graduate.
“I put a lot of effort into what I do and I enjoy what I do,” said Forbes. “I’m always looking for how I can improve.”
To see the article in The NEWS on Forbes, go to http://www.achrnews.com/articles/128142-instructor-brings-experience-to-classroom, and for the video, visit
http://www.achrnews.com/videos?bctid=3901562516001.
