Worland High School welcomes former DPS technician as new automotive teacher

Josh Keller, the new automotive teacher at Worland High School, had an unconventional beginning as a teacher, but has found success so far with this school year.

Two years ago (2021-22 and 2022-23 school years), Josh Keller, who has a lengthy background in automotive work, found himself contracted to work part time at Worland High School for their automotive program for three classes. For this school year Washakie County School District No. 1 opted to hire Keller full time.

Superintendent Tawn Argeris said, "They (Keller and DPS owner Mike Baugh) built the program." He said students were excited about the program and classes were too full that a full-time teacher was warranted.

Although from Worland, Keller had lived in Billings for several years as he went to school at Montana State University College of Technology. He eventually made his way back to Worland in 2012, deciding to work and raise his family here, as they liked the community and slower paced lifestyle. At the time, Keller had been working as a service technician for Diesel Pickup Specialists, where he had been working for previous years. Eventually after being contracted to teach at Worland High School and finding that he enjoyed teaching, Keller decided to embrace it and step into the new role of teaching.

He said, "The trades industry is needing more technicians, welders, plumbers, and roles like that. That's why I made the decision to do it full time and teach more classes." He now teaches six classes at WHS.

Keller said, "It's been going really well so far." The first week had its challenges, as he was learning students' names and adjusting to the fast-paced nature of a beginning school year. However, as the weeks have gone by, he has enjoyed teaching students about not only the automotive industry but also many other life skills.

Keller looks forward to preparing students for a skills program competition. This competition will have participating students from around the Big Horn Basin area competing for scholarships, tools and they will overall get valuable experience in the industry. He hopes to help them compete at a successful level.

Outside of the classroom, Keller still finds himself in the automotive world, as he enjoys being outside on snowmobiles and side-by-sides. He said, "Any time we can go to the mountains, we usually do."

Keller wants the community to keep an eye out for an event he hopes to have at the high school shop where his students will be performing oil changes for the public. Automotive stores around town will be supplying the school with parts such as oil filters, and any received donations will go toward the automotive program. This will be a chance for community members to see the shop and meet students in the automotive classes.