Richard Cox: Giving 100% back

Although Richard Cox has been teaching for a little over a decade now, he knew that he'd be an educator years prior. Back when he was a student at Fort Hays Tech North Central, he told his teacher and mentor that he'd come back to teach, too. His mentor's first response was to chuckle, but he told his student to reach out to him if he ever managed to come back as an educator. Cox graduated in 1992 and built up his career, and when the time came, he found his home as a teacher right where he said he would. The local paper summed up the situation with a headline: “Graduate returns to give back to the next generation.”

Q: What got you started as an educator? 

Cox: I just love seeing students learn something—learn a career. When students don’t know something and then that lightbulb moment hits, and they get that look like, “Hey, I can do this.” I tell them, “Yes, you can—just pay attention and listen to what we’re teaching.”

I believe that teaching is the greatest thing in the world. You have to have passion and patience. Without patience, you’re not going to make it.

Q: Did you have any prior experience as an educator? 

Cox: When I first started, I truly didn’t know much about teaching. But I was told, “Don’t worry, we’ll teach you how to teach. Just take your knowledge and apply it.” I was fortunate to be mentored by some great educators.

Those mentors told me, “Richard, if you ever stop having fun, quit. You’re not doing the students any favors.” I really took that to heart, and now I wake up every morning excited for new teaching, the new sessions, and the new students.

There’s a shortage of good technicians. I believe that the more we share and help each other, the better our industry will become. I always tell my students: take what you’ve learned and apply it. If you see someone struggling, help them. The more you know, the more you can teach, and the better your shop will be.

Q: What does the automotive industry mean to you? 

Cox: I believe that the automotive industry is a good and rewarding career. It can be frustrating and physically demanding, but I was able to put two girls through college because of my career choices, and they’re both married and doing well. I’ve been married 36 years, and it’s been a blessing. Now, I’m giving back 100 percent to the industry that got me through life.

I tell my wife I’ve got 11 years left. She says, “You’re never going to retire. Even if you’re not teaching at the college, you’ll be doing something in the industry, you’ll be teaching, doing something with ASE.” And you know what, she's right.