Educators Across Alaska Dive into Yamaha Outboard Training at PWSC
by V. Heisser |
This summer, three dynamic educators joined Prince William Sound College’s Small Engines 2.1 – Yamaha Maintenance Certifications for Teachers course. They came from different corners of Alaska, but shared a common goal: bring relevant, hands-on technical education back to their students and communities.
Angie Goffredi
Role: Welding Instructor & Career Education Coordinator
Institution: University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), Maritime Training Center – Ketchikan
Angie wears many hats at UAS—she teaches welding, coordinates career and technical programs, and will soon be a certified Yamaha instructor. Her students range in age from 16 to 70 years old. UAS is in the process of establishing a dual-enrollment option for Yamaha training, which will allow high school students to begin earning credentials in Yamaha technology alongside general enrollment opportunities.
“Many of our students want to fix their boats, work in the charter fishing industry, or move into marine tech careers. This program enables us to train them right here in Alaska, supporting our local maritime economy. Outboards are everywhere in Ketchikan—and now the training is too.”
Nicole Lamanna
Role: Assistant Professor of Power Technology
Institution: University of Alaska Southeast – Ketchikan
Nicole is new to teaching, but she brings an energetic, hands-on approach to her classroom. After completing the portable engine certification last week, she joined this week’s inline outboard training—and she’s already thinking about how to integrate Yamaha curriculum into UAS’s fall courses.
“This training is exciting because it’s so applied. We’re learning diagnostics, repair, and troubleshooting in real-world ways. Yamaha has created a clear path from the classroom to the waterfront, and I’m excited to help students walk that path. It's an honor to help unveil that opportunity—especially here in Alaska, where marine jobs are a huge part of the economy.”
Mary Ferris
Role: Kindergarten–Eighth Grade Teacher
School District: Kenai Peninsula Borough School District – Anchor Point, Alaska
Mary teaches multiple grades and electives in a small community centered on fishing and boating. Every year, her students ask to learn about engines, motors, and boats—and now she’ll be able to meet that demand. This is her first experience with Yamaha engine training, and she's enthusiastic about bringing those skills into the classroom.
“Our students ask for this. They want to know how engines work, how to fix boats, and how to be hands-on. I’m excited to take what I’ve learned here—like oil changes, diagnostics, and maintenance—and turn that into meaningful electives for my students.”
From welding labs in Southeast Alaska to multi-grade classrooms on the Kenai Peninsula, these educators are proving that career and technical education starts with bold, hands-on learning for teachers. Thanks to Yamaha and PWSC, these instructors are better equipped than ever to lead students toward successful careers on the water.