Rachel Ellestad
ABOUT
Where I grew up
I was born and raised in Nashville, TN in the Crieve Hall area. I went to Norman Binkley, Rose Park, McMurray, and John Overton High. I was in the marching band during high school.
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My dad, Jerry, was a computer programmer. My mom, Kathy, worked as a staffing coordinator in a hospital. My sister, Erin, is 4 years older and is a nurse.
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College
I went to UTK and studied mechanical engineering. While at UTK, I was in the Pride of the Southland Marching band and was really involved with my church college group. I completed by bachelor's and masters degrees at UTK.
Work
After graduation, I worked for DuPont Chemical Company in Richmond, VA. I was a manufacturing technology engineer for Nomex, a fire retardant fiber most notably used in clothing for the chemical industry, fire fighters, astronauts, and Nascar drivers. I worked in the Spinning area, which took raw polymer and extruded it through 18 foot cells to create fibers about the width of a human hair.
Teaching at UTK
After a few years with DuPont, I decided I wanted to teach. After finishing my PhD in Engineering Education at Virginia Tech, I joined the faculty at Engineering Fundamentals. I've been teaching with EF since 2014. I've taught EF 151 and 152 as well as FYS 101 and Transition 201 for engineering students. I also teach in the graduate certificate for Engineering Education.
A FEW FUN PHOTOS
My sister and I when we were younger.
Headed to Disney!
My family at Christmas with our dogs.
In the Johnny O marching Band.
The Pride of the Southland Piccolos.
Senior Day in Neyland Stadium
Graduation from UTK with a BS in Mechanical Engineering
With friends at graduation from undergrad
Graduation from masters in mechanical engineering
My husband, David, and I on our wedding day
Our dogs Mabel and Amos
Our cats Nala and Alexei
My nephew Issac
My niece Peyton
Mardi Growl with Mabel!