September听30, 2020听
Story听and photo听by Joe听Vinduska
Barton Welding Instructor Josh Snodgrass听has been听recognized by听the Kansas Department of Corrections as the 2019 Contract Employee of the Year听for his exemplary听performance听teaching听incarcerated individuals听at听the听Larned听Correctional Mental Health Facility (LCMHF).听Local awards are designated per facility, and听awardees are in the running for a state-level award to be determined by the Kansas Department of听Corrections.听
Snodgrass says he takes personal pride in his work because it has an impact on not only his students but on the听communities听to which they return.听
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鈥淚t feels great to be acknowledged for all听the work I鈥檝e put into the听Larned听Welding Program,鈥 he said. 鈥淓ducating these men is important to me for a few reasons. It reduces recidivism,听which helps the student lead a productive life and keeps the community safe. Another reason would be that most of these guys have come from challenging circumstances and backgrounds.听 To be able to give them a second chance and a better shot at a quality life when they return to the community is truly a rewarding experience.鈥澨
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Snodgrass said he also emphasizes other skills in his classes besides the technical aspects.听听
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鈥淢y students need to听learn what it takes to be a successful employee for a Welding business after incarceration,鈥 he said. 鈥淗aving the skill听is obviously important in obtaining a听job, but听learning听other听essential听skills will make them more successful in maintaining employment.鈥澨
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Barton Coordinator of Correctional Education Services Chris Baker said Josh is very deserving of the award and his previous work as a correctional officer makes him even more able to relate to his students.听听
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鈥淛osh is a willing, and hard worker that aims to complete each task to the best of his ability听and听has a tremendous amount of听welding knowledge that he is eager to share with his students,鈥 he said.听听鈥淗e has demonstrated the ability to hold his students accountable on what it means to be a good student and future employee, as well as maintaining a safe work area.听 If you were to enter Josh鈥檚 Welding shop you would be amazed at the cleanliness and organization that you would observe.听 Every day the students have a clear understanding of the assignment and expectation on how to complete the necessary work.鈥澨
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For more information,听Coordinator of Correctional Education Services Chris Baker at (620) 792-9244 or听bakerc@bartonccc.edu.听听