Professional Life
My name is Joshua Bakker and I am a teacher in the Aviation and Engineering Department at West Michigan Aviation Academy. I have a strong passion for aviation as well as working with young people. My path to education is unique and I believe that my diverse background and experience will be valuable to the students' education that I have the opportunity to teach. I earned my FAA certifications at the School of Missionary Aviation Technology (SMAT) in Ionia, MI. I am a certified flight instructor and instrument instructor as well as a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic. I flight instructed at SMAT upon graduation and went on to instruct at Western Michigan University while completing my Bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering. I have worked as an engineer at Williams International in the certification division and aftermarket repairs division on commercial jet engines. I look forward to bringing a unique perspective and a love for students and aviation to the classroom at WMAA.
My name is Joshua Bakker and I am a teacher in the Aviation and Engineering Department at West Michigan Aviation Academy. I have a strong passion for aviation as well as working with young people. My path to education is unique and I believe that my diverse background and experience will be valuable to the students' education that I have the opportunity to teach. I earned my FAA certifications at the School of Missionary Aviation Technology (SMAT) in Ionia, MI. I am a certified flight instructor and instrument instructor as well as a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic. I flight instructed at SMAT upon graduation and went on to instruct at Western Michigan University while completing my Bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering. I have worked as an engineer at Williams International in the certification division and aftermarket repairs division on commercial jet engines. I look forward to bringing a unique perspective and a love for students and aviation to the classroom at WMAA.
Personal Life
I grew up in Holland and love the West Michigan community. My wife, Kelci, and I have been married for 6 years and currently reside in the Kalamazoo area. We are proud parents to our two beautiful daughters, Karleigh and Raegan. Family is very important to me and we love spending time at the lake out on the boat waterskiing. Faith is another pillar in my life and I love being involved in our church and youth ministry building into high schoolers' lives. Sports have always been a big part of my life playing football through high school and into college. I am so excited to start the school year and help build into students' lives and help them achieve their goals and dreams!
I grew up in Holland and love the West Michigan community. My wife, Kelci, and I have been married for 6 years and currently reside in the Kalamazoo area. We are proud parents to our two beautiful daughters, Karleigh and Raegan. Family is very important to me and we love spending time at the lake out on the boat waterskiing. Faith is another pillar in my life and I love being involved in our church and youth ministry building into high schoolers' lives. Sports have always been a big part of my life playing football through high school and into college. I am so excited to start the school year and help build into students' lives and help them achieve their goals and dreams!