More Than Just a Mechanic: Inside the Classroom of Georgia’s Top Teacher

What happens when a reluctant nominee becomes the state’s biggest advocate for technical education? In this episode of Talent Pipeline Georgia, we sit down with Christopher Davis, the 2026 Rick Perkins Award winner and the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) Instructor of the Year.An automotive technology instructor at Augusta Technical College, Chris shares his journey from a hands-on student inspired by his own mentor to becoming a life coach for a diverse classroom of students ranging from ages 16 to 65.In this episode, we discuss:The Debt-Free Path to Six Figures: How students are entering high-demand industries like automotive technology with zero student debt and earning $150,000+ a year.Life Coaching in the Lab: Why Chris believes teaching technical skills is only half the job, and why he spends just as much time discussing finances, insurance, and personal growth with his students.Bridging the Workforce Gap: A look at the staggering need for over 471,000 new technicians by 2034 and how Georgia’s technical colleges are meeting that challenge.The Power of Mentorship: The story of how a former Marine student pushed a "reluctant" Chris to embrace his gift for teaching and represent Georgia on the state stage.Whether you're a military veteran looking for a second career, a high schooler weighing your options, or a business leader invested in Georgia's growth, Chris’s passion for "the family" of technical education is a must-listen.