Maxwell High School of Technology teacher receives national spotlight

     Maxwell High School of Technology’s Brandon Myers was recently featured in a national video alongside HGTV’s Ty Pennington. The piece, titled “He Said ‘No’ to College And Built a Life You’d Want,” highlights Myers’ unconventional career path and his dedication to preparing students for careers in skilled trades.

     The video details how Myers went from sweeping floors at a race car manufacturer to working on Formula 1 cars and repairing specialty robotics for nuclear power plants.

     “This is career number four for me,” Myers shares. “I have no formal four-year degree, no master’s, no anything. I went from possibly being a priest, to building race cars, to fixing nuclear power plants, to teaching.”

     Today, as a Manufacturing and Precision Engineering teacher, he draws on that experience to mentor students and show them that success does not always require a four-year degree.

     "If someone watches this video and says, ‘maybe I can too,’ then it’s all worth it,” Myers said. “Everyone should feel encouraged to pursue a career, a skill, and a life that will truly enrich their families, themselves, and their children.”

     That message reflects what Gwinnett County Public Schools celebrates every day—students thriving through Career and Technical Education programs. At the 2024-25 SkillsUSA Georgia competition, Maxwell students earned 20 first-place, 16 second-place, and 11 third-place finishes. Myers’ program contributed two first-place and three second-place winners, continuing a tradition of top-three state placements every year since 2020.

     “When our students compete in a world-class organization like SkillsUSA, they are reinforcing the truth that skilled trades and CTAE learning opportunities are a gold standard in future-focused education,” Myers explained. “When our students win podium placement and high honors at SkillsUSA, it confirms that Gwinnett County Public Schools truly offers a world-class education filled with opportunities."

     From national recognition to student success, Myers’ story is a celebration of the opportunities GCPS provides through dedicated teachers and strong career pathway programs.