Cars hanging from the ceiling, the smell of gasoline and the sound of engines: For many this might sound like an ordinary auto shop. But for students in Palo Alto High automotive program, this is a typical day at school, where the classroom transforms into a garage, allowing students to blend real-world skills with their education.
The automotive program, which was first introduced in 1984, consists of four core classes — Introduction to the Automobile, which is a semester class that introduces the program, and Auto I, Auto II and Auto III, with each level increasing in difficulty.
The man behind all this? Auto teacher Doyle Knight, whose love for cars and passion for making a difference through teaching led him to becoming Palo Alto High’s automotive teacher for the last 33 years.
Initially, Knight wanted to start a chain of car repair shops around the Bay Area. But, during one of his automotive classes at De Anza Community College, Knight realized that he would probably be a better teacher than a student.
“I’m sitting in one of my automotive classes at the end, and I thought the guy was so boring,” Knight said. “I’m thinking, ‘I could do a better job than this.’”
After three years, Knight transferred to San Jose State University where he earned his teaching credentials. His friend then referred him to Palo Alto High, where he continues to create a learning space for students interested in automobiles such as junior Cece Defeo, who is currently enrolled in Auto II.
“My interest in mechanics would have never sparked in the way it did if it weren’t for Mr. Knight,” Defeo said. “I was interested in it before, but I think it [my interest] would have become a phase that kind of died out, instead of this four year long passion that I’ve now developed.”
Senior Tyler Kramer, who has completed the whole automotive program and is currently one of Mr. Knight’s teaching assistants, believes that Knight’s connection with his students is what makes the program so special.
“He [Knight] is a really great guy as well as a super supportive teacher, and he acts like a father figure for a lot of the students in the class,” Kramer said. “He’s the kind of person who shines both in the classroom and beyond.”
Knight’s approach to teaching is built on mutual respect, but he doesn’t shy away from setting firm boundaries. From day one, he makes his expectations clear, fostering an environment where professionalism and fun can coexist.
“I tell [students] at the beginning, ‘I will treat you with respect if you treat me with respect, but once you start acting like a child, then you’re gonna be treated like a child,” Knight said.
One unique factor of the program is its applications to real life. Palo Alto High senior Giacomo Resmini credits its hands-on learning for motivating him to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.
“It’s crazy to think that one experience can change your views, because I think that the auto shop played a big role in my career choice,” Resmini said. “I’ve learned so many valuable skills that apply to my everyday life and ones I will continue to use in life.”
For Defeo, her skills became especially helpful when her bike broke down on her way to school, and she had to fix her tires.
“I realized that my gears were tangled, and since auto is very hands-on, I applied my skills that Mr. Knight had taught me about gears on a car and applied them to my bike,” Defeo said. “It’s pretty cool to see everything that you have learned be put to use in real life. That’s what drives students to keep learning more, especially in auto.”
From fixing tangled bike gears to pursuing degrees in mechanical engineering, Palo Alto High’s automotive program empowers students to apply hands-on skills to real life situations. Under the mentorship of Knight, the program goes beyond traditional classroom learning by helping students develop lifelong skills that last through their careers.
