Tam Students Go Under the Hood

The Tam High campus is laden with wow-inducing elements, especially in the wake of the Measure A-funded, $100 million renovation of the school finished in 2010.

But on campus tours for prospective students, there’s often one stop that induces more wows than any other.

The Tam High Auto Shop, which dates back to 1914, is a full-scale auto repair facility run by automotive technology teacher Lisa Miller. Junior and seniors take automotive technology as an elective, with Miller taking them way beyond car basics and deep into the world of auto systems, technology and infrastructure. Miller and her students do all sorts of real-life work on cars belonging to teachers, parents and fellow students.

Tam senior Sophia Rose said she took Miller’s class as a junior just to learn how a car works and to be able to handle basic repairs herself.

“Just so I wouldn’t be the person stuck on the side of the road waiting for Triple A to put my spare tire on,” she said. “It’s become so much more than just a class. It’s like you’re working in an actual auto shop.”

The shop has been a hive of activity since the spring of 2011. Armed with a $12,000 grant from the Tam High Foundation, Miller embarked on a plan to have students completely restore a car. Miller and her students bought a 1965 Mustang in the fall of 2010 for $10,500 at a car show at the Alameda County fairgrounds.

What has ensued is a massive project that will span three years and some 200 students before its expected finish next year. To date, they have assessed the car, completely disassembled it and recently began to reassemble it. The brakes, steering and suspension have been overhauled and the engine block and transmission were put back in the Mustang earlier this month.

“I’m frequently having to remind myself of the enormity of this project,” Miller said. “There are literally thousands of pieces that have come off the car and so many students involved. And there’s a lot to teach along the way.”

Miller is working with Milani's Autocraft of Novato to oversee the paint preparation and paint job, while Horgan's Transmissions in San Rafael rebuilt the car's transmission. She hopes to have the project wrapped up during the 2012-2013 school year.

For students like Rose, an 18-year-old Bolinas resident, learning about and working on cars with Miller has become much more than that.

“She’s just an amazing teacher and person and she has all of these life lessons that get thrown in there,” Rose said. “It teaches you how to be in a professional environment and work on things on your own. And as a girl, I’ve found myself feeling a lot more confident in the world as a result. It’s part of who I am now.”