A different path: Former "unruly" student now masters robotics

Isaac Cawthon works on the device in which he inputs robotic codes.
(T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler)

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Cawthon, 29, admits he didn't do so well in high school. But now, he's creating computer programs that control robots, and a former teacher of his has taken notice.

"I was an unruly student," said Cawthon, smiling as he reminisced. "I was more bored. I guess you could say."

Though Cawthon was a bright kid, and always loved computers (he said he was 13 when his parents bought him his first Tandy RL 1000 computer) his "unruly" attitude landed him at the Bedford County Learning Academy (alternative school) when he was in high school.

There, he did well and earned his General Education Development (GED). Cawthon said the then-director of the school, Russ Kemp, was a positive influence in his life and his success at the alternative school.

"He's a really, really good guy," Cawthon remembered about his former teacher and the school director. "It was interesting the way he got things across to us."

Decision time

After receiving his GED, Cawthon went on to attend Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, but that didn't last. Following that, Cawthon did some other odd jobs, trying to figure out what he wanted to do. When his wife became pregnant, he said he was pressed to answer that question fast.

Cawthon, a former student of the Bedford County Learning Academy, said it took him six hours to teach the robot how to write the TTC's logo.
(T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler)

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He reached back to his roots and knew he liked computers. He also knew he enjoyed the power and electrical fields since he was fascinated with the work his father did for Shelbyville Power.

He got on the waiting list for the industrial maintenance program at Shelbyville's Tennessee Technology Center.

"It seemed like it would provide a wide range of opportunities," Cawthon said.

New discoveries

For the last 18 months Cawthon has been learning many things from his instructor, Butch Arnold, including how to write computer programs that can be read by robots for use of various tasks within various industries, such as automobile and welding.

"Anything a person can do this robot can do," explained Cawthon.

Several folks took notice of his talents when a video appeared in the lobby of the TTC. The video showed the robot, programmed by Cawthon, drawing the TTC's logo and other electrical codes on a whiteboard.

This is "a journey of a student who at the high school level didn't fit the normal classroom requirements/fitting, was placed in the at-risk program," said Amy Martin, TTC's coordinator of fiscal services and human resources. "This should not stereotype our high school students, but should be recognized as a means of reaching all children in the quest to help each realize their maximum potential."

Reunion time

Cawthon and his former teacher, Russ Kemp (former director of the Bedford County Learning Academy), who is now the Workforce Investment Act coordinator of Shelbyville's TTC, both say students all learn differently and should not give up on themselves if they're students at the alternative school.
(T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler)

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He "saw the video and discovered the creator of the program was one of his former students he had when (he) was the director of the alternative school here in Bedford County," said Martin.

It was a pleasant reunion for both Cawthon and Kemp.

"It was cool to see him," said Cawthon of Kemp. "It was exciting. I knew he retired and to see him back in the field of education was kind of neat."

Kemp was thrilled to see what the technical education had done for Cawthon, although he said he knew Cawthon had potential, even when he was at the alternative school.

"Robotics of that nature are quite impressive," Kemp said. "I was impressed and thought, 'That's quite a good technology.'"

Of Cawthon, Kemp said, "Some students, for some reason or another, don't fit into the normal (means of education). I always had faith in Isaac. I had no doubt he would succeed and do well ... He had no problem with the work and had a positive attitude."

Positive

Cawthon said even though many see being enrolled in the alternative school as a negative thing, he felt he fit in there.

"Just because you're getting a GED does not mean it stops there," he said. "You have to apply yourself."

Kemp agreed and said all too often he saw students get caught up in the fact that they were not attending a traditional high school.

"Too many dwell on the negative aspect of where they're at and too many give up," Kemp said. "You've got to start where you're at and move forward in a positive direction."

Cawthon, who said it took him about six hours to program the robot to draw the TTC logo, plans to finish the industrial maintenance program and then land a job within that field, although he is not certain specifically where he wants to work at this time.