Mr. Michael Strojny is our ambitious CTE director here at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School. After 23 years of teaching, his lifelong goal of becoming CTE Director came to fruition last fall. Coming into this role, he felt as though he “had to make a difference.” While being CTE director, Mr. Strojny has set out to support his fellow teachers and “put them in a position to be successful.” The title “CTE director” comes with many responsibilities as well, such as writing grants, working on new programs, student discipline, running PD sessions, evaluating teachers, and being there for students and teachers. Since expanding the automotive program, Mr. Strojny knew he would be able to grow our CTE programs as a whole.
When asked if he would have preferred to fulfill any other position, he wholeheartedly denied it due to his immense dedication to the CTE program, stating, “I am a CTE kid. I have worked very hard to get where I am, and I love being the CTE Director here. Some may not see it this way, but this is my dream job.” His burning passion for CTE started during the automotive class he took during his high school years, which followed him throughout his life. After high school, fueled by his newfound passion for Auto, he started working at Snap-on, an extensive company that markets and manufactures high-quality tools. At Snap-on, he was an account executive, working in the industrial part of the company instead of the more popular marketing side. During his time at Snap-On, he became an avid traveler. Even though traveling and meeting new people was an extraordinary experience, he missed his family too much, so he decided to move on to new endeavors.
Even though the travel while at Snap-on was short-lived, travel hasn’t completely left his life. When asked what his favorite things to do outside of school are, he very passionately responded with spending time with his family. One of his favorite activities to do with them is hiking, and he has even hiked Mt. Washington every year since 1988!
Mr. Strojny recounts his high school years in Auto and how those experiences have shaped his life today. He explains how his high school auto teacher, and the class in general, taught him important aspects of life that have stayed with him through his adulthood. These traits include “working hard, good work ethic, showing up on time, teamwork, and appreciation for all things.” His auto teacher in high school inspired him to take these traits and use them to educate future generations, just like he was. When asked what his favorite part of his job is, he states, “My favorite part of my job is seeing students transform from 9th graders to seniors. The transformation from seeing them shy and immature to graduating and going off to college or postsecondary school, or getting right into the workforce with skills they didn’t even know they had, is amazing!” From his high school years to now, Mr. Strojny has always had the Power, Pride, and Passion that fuels DR, CAW CAW!
