Makowsky Named 2012 Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year

POWAY, CA – Michael Makowsky of Oakville, Conn. was named the Mitchell 1 2012 Educator of the Year during North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) conference held recently at Tyler Junior College.

by Staff

November 7, 2012

Makowsky Named 2012 Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year — Makowsky

2 min to read

POWAY, CA – Michael Makowsky of Oakville, Conn. was named the Mitchell 1 2012 Educator of the Year during North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) conference held recently at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. Each year, Mitchell 1 recognizes one of the nation’s top teachers for excellence in automotive repair instruction. Makowsky was presented with a check for $500 and a recognition certificate. He will also receive a one-year complimentary subscription to Mitchell 1’s ProDemand repair, diagnostic and maintenance information program for the school where he teaches.

“Mitchell 1 is proud to join with NACAT for another year to honor those who have demonstrated a commitment to educational excellence in the automotive repair industry,” said Nick DiVerde, senior marketing director, Mitchell 1. “Michael Makowsky has an outstanding reputation as an instructor and we feel he is an excellent choice for this award. Everyone at Mitchell 1 would like to extend our sincerest congratulations to Michael on his achievement.”

Makowsky has been an automotive instructor at the Porter and Chester Institute in Watertown, Conn. for six years, where he has been full-time for the past two years and was part-time for four years. His automotive career also includes experience working at various Chevrolet dealerships for 35 years. During that time, Makowsky received a tremendous amount of training from General Motors, including being certified as a GM technician. He first passed all eight ASE automotive tests in 1976. Makowsky graduated with honors from Denver Automotive and Diesel College in 1976.

Selection criteria for the Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year award requires that a master automotive technician excel on all ASE automotive tests, including A1 – A8 (Engine Repair, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle, Manual Drive Train and Axles, Suspension and Steering, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Heating and Air Conditioning, Engine Performance) and the L1 (Advanced Engine Performance Exam).

Related Content:

Topics:ProDemand Mitchell 1 Operations

More Operations

A shot of a Volvo electric vehicle with a man charging it in front of a residence.

Top 50 Executive Fleets

It is that time of year again! Time for the 2026 list of the Top 50 Executive Fleets, presented by Automotive Fleet and Volvo as part of its annual Fleet 500. Download now to see this year's list of companies!

Lauren Fletcher points toward the red-and-white Ringmaster of the Road soap box derby car. Bold text reads “Race Ready,” “Ringmaster of the Road,” and “Akron Bound.”

Operations•by Lauren Fletcher•July 31, 2026

Behind the Scenes: Building the Ringmaster of the Road from Body to Paint Part 2

The body is built, the paint is on, and Team Fletcher’s Soap Box Derby car is nearly ready for testing ahead of race day in Akron.

Chris Brown of Automotive Fleet and Lauren Fletcher of Work Truck pose beside a Soap Box Derby car in a Team Brown vs. Team Fletcher race graphic benefiting The Hourglass Foundation.

Operations•by News/Media Release•July 30, 2026

It's All Downhill from Here! Fleet Industry Raises $22,000 for Skilled Trades Scholarships

Work Truck’s Lauren Fletcher and Automotive Fleet’s Chris Brown turned a friendly racing rivalry into $22,000 for automotive technology and skilled trades scholarships.

Lauren Fletcher stands against a dark blue background beside the headline “Fleets Run on Confidence.” Additional text reads “July 2026” and “Safety, Technicians, Leadership, Mixed Energy.”

Sponsored•by Lauren Fletcher•July 30, 2026

Fleet Confidence, Safety, and Smarter Risk Management Lead This Month

This month’s TruckChat: Top Monthly News Recap explores what it takes to build confidence across a fleet, from stronger leadership and technician support to better safety preparation, smarter use of telematics, and clearer plans for when something goes wrong.

Tina Kourakos smiles beside bold black-and-yellow Fleet Legends graphics promoting her spotlight interview on decades of fleet leadership.

Sponsored•by Lauren Fletcher•July 29, 2026

From Fleet Operator to OEM Leader: Tina Kourakos’ Career Lessons

Tina Kourakos shares the lessons, relationships, and career pivots that shaped more than 30 years in fleet, plus the advice every new fleet manager should hear.

Six WEX and Standard Fleet team members pose together in front of a WEX-branded backdrop, commemorating a business partnership or collaboration between the two companies.

Operations•by News/Media Release•July 29, 2026

WEX Brings Standard Fleet's Connected Vehicle Platform to Fleet Customers

This week’s product launch with Standard Fleet’s connected vehicle platform reflects WEX Venture Capital's strategy of turning startup innovation into customer solutions. Standard Fleet is now available to WEX fleet customers.

Operations•by Wayne Parham•July 27, 2026

Meet Atlas: Motive's AI Assistant for Fleets

Artificial intelligence is becoming a practical tool for fleet operations. In this video, Emily Parsons introduces Atlas, Motive's AI-powered assistant that combines conversational search with the ability to perform actions across the Motive platform.

Work Truck Magazine