A legendary figure in the welding industry, Elaine Waters was named the 2016 National Teacher of the Year by Practical Welding Today. With thirty years of Pipe Welding experience, Elaine has taught thousands of students who have gone onto achieve great success in the welding industry. Those graduates include fabrication shop owners, rig and pipeline welders, pipefitters and journeyman.

No stranger to media attention, Elaine has appeared in Welding Journal and was originally featured in Practical Welding Today back in 2009 for her status as one of the leading women in welding. In 2013, Elaine was interviewed again by the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association for their cover story on Stick Welding techniques.

A 1986 graduate of the Quality School of Pipe Welding, Elaine worked at Lockheed Martin building fuel cells for commercial and military aircraft, pressure vessels and combustion liners for jet engines. Elaine also conducts government training for the Army Corps of Engineers.

Learn more about Elaine

How to be my friend? 
Answer:  You can’t, don’t try

How to get an “A” in my class?
Answer: You can’t no one is perfect

Quickest way to piss me off?
Answer: Not doing what you are told to do and not paying attention

If I am mad you should……
Answer: Stay out of my way, hide in your booth and weld better

What’s on my Mixtape?
Answer: Pure Country

My specialty is……?
Answer:Fab work and welding with exotic metals

Why I get out of bed?
Answer: Because I enjoy what I do

Why am I qualified to teach you?
Answer:  Nothing, still learning myself