Frank Conte is a proud 2013 graduate of Old Bridge High School.
He built a career in the automotive industry, working at All American Ford, before deciding to take his professional experience in a new direction.
In 2020, he returned to Old Bridge High School as an Automotive Technology teacher, bringing his real-world industry knowledge and experience into the classroom.
“He came in at the toughest time in 2020 teaching in front of computers,” said Karen Hicks, supervisor of Business, Design Technology & Consumer Science. “I didn’t think he was going to last, but he hung tight.”
The Old Bridge Township Board of Education recognized Conte as part of its Alumni Recognition Program, celebrating Old Bridge High School graduates who continue to make a positive impact in its schools and community at a meeting on Oct. 27. Many of his students were in the audience.
Hicks reassured and encouraged Conte every step of the way in his journey into teaching
“I was like, ‘You’re doing great.’ ‘Don’t worry, it’s going to work out, I promise’,” she recalled. “The students standing here is just a testament how great it’s working out.
“Thank you for coming back,” Hicks told Conte, “and being a part of a great program.”
The Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) automotive curriculum offered by the Industrial Technology Department of the Old Bridge Township Public Schools is designed to equip students with the knowledge and decision-making skills needed to support and maintain a vehicle in an ever-changing society, according to the philosophy of the curriculum written by Conte and Stephen Pasqua, design technology teacher at Old Bridge High School.
Conte’s journey from Old Bridge student to automotive professional, to Old Bridge educator demonstrates the valuable role alumni can play in preparing the next generation of students for their own futures and careers.
“We talk so much about the profile of our graduates here at the high school,” said Superintendent of Schools Vincent Sasso. “We have a tremendous amount of success with our students going to post-secondary education programs. We are really proud of our career and technical education at the high school.
“When I see these guys in the back and I see our former graduate, it makes me so proud,” Sasso said. “It just proves to me that we’re supporting the right programs here in this district.”
Conte said he was “really honored and blessed” to receive the board’s recognition.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “I never thought I would have ever come back here and accomplish something like this …
“It’s really humbling to see this.”
Conte thanked the board for supporting programs such as the automotive program.
“All I hear from people [in the automotive industry], they tell me, ‘Wow, you have this program.’ ‘You guys are so lucky to have this program here.’ ‘I wish I had this program here’.”
With the support of the board, the Old Bridge Township Public Schools has an automotive program. Conte said it gives students an opportunity and a place that they may not have otherwise.
Conte told his students, who came to the meeting, that they are the drive for him to strive to do better each day as a teacher.
“I have a lot of fun working with you guys every day on the cars,” he said, “… Thank you for making every day here really amazing. You guys are really the reason why I continue to do better and better every day.
“I share this award with you guys.”
