Mr. John Stratton joined the OHM BOCES Career and Technical Education Center as an Automotive Technology teacher in 2003. He brings more than 27 years of experience working in the automotive industry to his classroom, where he enjoys seeing students from diverse backgrounds become lifelong friends, knowing students have become successful in their careers and having former students give back to the program by serving on the consultant committee.

Prior to joining BOCES, Mr. Stratton was employed as a technician, shop foreman and service manager. He is ASE certified as a Master Automotive Technician, and in Maintenance and Light Repair and Advanced Engine Performance. Mr. Stratton is a co-advisor for SkillsUSA, and also serves as the mechanical contests cluster manager for the NYS SkillsUSA conference.He is a member of ACTE, the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) and the National Auto Service Task Force.

The OHM BOCES automotive technology program received international recognition when Mr. Stratton was chosen for the 2018 NACAT/SEMA Award. In 2019, the OHM BOCES was recognized by Tomorrow's Technician magazine as the top automotive program in the northeast and one of the top 4 high school and post-secondary programs in the nation. Mr. Stratton was named as the 2020 SkillsUSA New York State Advisor of the Year and 2021 SkillsUSA Region 1 Advisor of the Year. In 2022 Mr. Stratton won the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Award for Teaching Excellence.

Mr. Stratton attended high school in New Hartford, earned his Associate of Applied Science from SUNY Canton, and furthered his education at SUNY Poly and SUNY Oswego.

In his free time, Mr. Stratton has volunteered as an AYSO soccer coach, Boy Scouts of America scoutmaster and BSA summer camp director, and enjoys hiking and camping.

“None of us is as smart as all of us.”