Full Biography for Stanley B. Neal

Candidate for
Governing Board Member, Full Term; Sierra Unified School District

I came to the Auberry, Prather, Tollhouse area in the late summer of 1970. I was just finishing my degree and teaching credential from Cal Poly and the university was sending me to Siera High School to do my student teaching in vocational agriculture. At that time I had no idea where Toll house was even located on the map. I settled in and began my duties as a student teacher and worked under master teacher Tom Dean. That was an awesome experience and something I will never forget.

I received my clear life credential in December, was married in January and filled an emergency teaching position for the spring semester at Gridley High School. That spring I was asked to return to Sierra High School to head up and expand the Agriculture Mechanics program. During the next 19 years I developed and expanded the welding and heavy equipment operator courses which were models for excellence in the entire State of California. During that time period I probably taught over 2,000 young people how to weld and operate heavy earth moving machinery, giving these students excellent job skills and encouraging them to continue their education at the college level with the emphasis of always striving for excellence.

It was spring of 1990 that I received a phone call from the Division Dean of the Technical-Industrial Division at Fresno City College. He invited me to apply for the welding instructor and department head position at the college. His desire was for me to bring to the college level the program I developed at the high school. After much stress and soul searching I applied and received the position which I hold to this day. The welding program today at Fresno City College is now noted for excellence in the central valley.