David Patterson

Veteran, former high school teacher, and huge nerd. I was a Hull Maintenance Technician in the U.S. NAVY for 6 years where I performed my duties as a welder, plumber, pipe fitter, sheet metal worker, carpenter, handyman, or whatever else was required at that point in time. I was stationed in Annapolis, MD at the Naval Academies Waterfront Readiness Division, where I repaired the training vessels for our future officers. After 2 years, I was sent to advanced welders training and stationed in Bremerton aboard CVN 74 John C. Stennis, where I finished my naval career. After separation, I enrolled in Clark College's welding program, where I received my AAT in Welding. After graduation I worked as an assistant in Clarks welding department until I was hired as a Highschool shop teacher at Mountain View high school. I worked there until 2020 when Covid 19 sent the schools into lockdown. It was at this point that I learned the difficulties of trying to teach a shop class online. I promptly ended my high school teaching career and was hired by Sigma as a welder.