Fairfax County superintendent spotlights Edison Academy HVAC and networking programs and student state champions

Michelle Reed, Fairfax County Public Schools superintendent, visited Edison Academy to meet three state champions and to observe the school's HVAC and computer networking programs.

Reed introduced Mr. Strygham, a former Edison graduate who returned to teach in the academy's HVAC program. Mr. Strygham said he began the program as a freshman, "after graduating from high school here, were able to take the 4 years of our training and apply it to the journeyman certification and a master certification to open up our own air conditioning company down in Florida." He said he ran that company for about six years before returning to Edison to teach and mentor SkillsUSA students.

The visit included hands-on demonstrations of instructional equipment. Mohammed described a compound gauge used in refrigeration training: "The student use it to to maintain and know the the level of the refrigerant in the unit. They use it to add or take off some refrigerant," he said, explaining students learn to restore system efficiency after leaks. Cesar pointed to an exhibit board and read a unit tag, saying the serial acts like a "birth certificate" for each HVAC unit and noting a Copeland-style tag indicating a February 2017 manufacture date. He also identified an older tag ("3692E") and said it indicates an origin in Collierville, Tennessee, made in 1992.

Mr. Strygham highlighted high student demand for the HVAC program: "There was 300 students that applied that year for the HVAC program for juniors and seniors," he said, and added that Cesar's long-running YouTube channel and community interest in restoring old HVAC equipment helped his application stand out. On networking, Sam advised students to begin with foundational coursework: "I would definitely take a basic level course, like the network administration ... because it really gives your base understanding ... and then you could just move up the levels."

Reed closed by congratulating the three state champions and noting the career programs' workforce value: she said such credentials increase students' employment prospects and that the division needs HVAC technicians and network specialists. The visit combined student recognition with demonstrations meant to show how Edison Academy's career-technical programs translate into certifications and job opportunities.

The visit focused on program demonstrations and student pathways rather than any formal board action; no motions or votes were recorded during the session.