Steve Bernasek, diesel technologies instructor and team lead for automotive programs at the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) in Mesa, Arizona, has been named the 2021 Byrl Shoemaker Instructor of the Year by the ASE Education Foundation. Bernasek received his award during the recent ASE Board of Governors meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona.

An ASE-certified technician for the past 22 years, Bernasek has taught at EVIT since 2016. He serves as the team lead of the diesel, automotive technologies and collision repair programs. EVIT offers more than 40 career training programs for high school students and adults, and EVIT’s automotive programs have had a history of success as retired EVIT teacher Randy Baker also was named the Byrl Shoemaker award winner in 2015.

This prestigious award is named after Byrl Shoemaker, the past executive director of vocational education in Ohio. Shoemaker is considered the father of the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and the national ASE accreditation system that automotive education programs use today.

“Everyone at ASE would like to congratulate Steve Bernasek for earning one of the industry’s most esteemed honors,” said Mike Coley, ASE Education Foundation president. “Great instructors are the axle upon which all automotive education turns, and therefore, we are very pleased to recognize Steve as an outstanding example of excellence in automotive instruction.”