CKTC board member John Clay, resigns

Above: Caddo Kiowa Technology Center board President, Dustin Tackett presents board member John Clay, with a service award for many years of diligent service to Caddo Kiowa Technology Center.

Caddo Kiowa Technology Center board member, John Clay, a long time farmer in the Carnegie area, announced his resignation from the board at the August 9, 2021 board meeting. Mr. Clay has been one of the longest tenured school board members in the state. He started in July of 1992 and ended 29 years of service in August of 2021 as representative of seat/zone 4.

Mr. Clay served on the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center board through four superintendents, eleven board members and numerous staff. His influence at CKTC has been instrumental in helping the technology center meet the needs of students and patrons in the district. Mr. Clay’s contribution to building projects, campus updates and program changes have all been a foundation in the growth of the school over the years.

Current superintendent Tony Hancock stated “Mr. Clay has been an exceptional board member. He understands the challenges technology centers face in education and the need to provide a growing workforce as we seek to impact economic development in our district. His knowledge, character and overall commitment to excellence will be difficult to replace. He will be missed.”

Board President Dustin Tackett added “It has been a pleasure to serve with John for nearly 17 years. We have experienced a great deal during our time together on the board. His desire to provide a quality learning environment for our district has never wavered.”

Caddo Kiowa Technology Center serves 14 school districts and all or part of eight counties. Along with full-time programs of training for high school and adult students, the technology center provides customized training for business and industry partners and open enrollment classes to meet the needs of patrons all across the district.

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2020-2021 CKTC Employee Awards

Caddo Kiowa Technology Center held their annual employee awards ceremony on Wednesday August 4, 2021 where several employees were recognized for achievements for the 2020-2021 school year.

Above: Felicia Gallegos (Early Care & Education Assistant) was named 2020-2021 Employee of the Year.

 

Above: Amy Cowan (Early Care & Education Instructor/Director) was named 2020-2021 Educator of the Year.

 

Above: Reed Allen (Pre-Engineering Instructor) was named 2020-2021 New Employee/Educator of the Year.

 

Above: Laci McCool (Adult & Continuing Education Coordinator) was named 2020-2021 New Employee/Educator of the Year.

 

Above: JoLisa Knauss (Student Services Counselor) was named 2020-2021 New Employee/Educator of the Year.

 

Above: Dylan Young (Communications & Marketing Director) was named 2020-2021 New Employee/Educator of the Year.

 

Above: Jenna Bruer (Student Services Registrar), McKayla Gregory (Early Care and Education Assistant) & Jason Mindemann (Construction Technology Instructor) were recognized for 5 years of service at CKTC.

 

Above: Amy Cowan (Early Care and Education Instructor/Director), Alan Cooper (Construction Assistant), Lloyd Warden (Licensed Electrician) & Anita White (Bus Driver) were recognized for 10 years of service at CKTC.

 

Above: Allison Willis (Occupational Therapy Assistant Instructor), Shawn Freie (Small Business Management Coordinator), Brent Grimes (Physical Therapist Assistant Instructor/Academic Coordinator Clinical Education), Keith Brownback (Ag Business Management Coordinator) & Mandy Bellamy (E-Rate Coordinator/Bursar) were recognized for 15 years of service at CKTC.

 

Above: Ilisa Allen was recognized for 25 years of service at CKTC.

 

Above: Charlotte Oswald was recognized for 30 years of service at CKTC.

 

 

CKTC Employees Win OkPACE Awards


Above: Dale Lewis and Shawn Freie

Oklahoma Post-Secondary Career Education (OkPACE) announced its 2021 award winners at its annual conference in April. Caddo Kiowa Technology Center brought home two of the six awards presented.

Shawn Freie, Small Business Management Coordinator, was awarded the OkPace Economic Development Award for her work with TetherTech USA. This award recognizes the individual or collaborative team efforts who creatively provide assistance relating to business start-ups, entrepreneurship, expansion and retention, and job creation.

TetherTech Safety, USA is housed in CKTC’s Business Incubator, under the direction of Freie. With more than 16 years’ experience in small business management, and as the first in SW Oklahoma to be Incubator Certified, Freie was able to provide TTS with the direction, assistance, and facilities needed to launch their successful business. TetherTech Safety provides a product to protect against tractor trailer wheel-off incidents, using a thick steel cable running through the axle tube and tethered to a pair of wheel-end caps. This design prevents the wheel assembly from separating in the event of a bearing failure. Freie works diligently with her clients assisting in the expansion and advancement of this lifesaving product.

Dale Lewis, Director Truck Driver Training, received the OkPace Innovation Award for the creative training partnership with CHS Cooperative in Frederick, Oklahoma. This award recognizes the most unique and innovative individual or collaborative activity which took the nominee beyond the normal scope of business and industry service.

Lewis developed a one of a kind training for CHS Inc., the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative. CHS places workers from South Africa who have their I-94 work Visas with local farmers who need assistance during harvest. Lewis arranged for CKTC’s award winning truck driver training program to educate CHS workers to achieve a Certified Driver’s License (CDL). This training program put successful and highly qualified CDL drivers to work for numerous farmers in SW Oklahoma.

Freie and Lewis will represent Oklahoma Post-Secondary Career Education nationally at Vision in December. Vision is the annual conference of the national Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE).

Caddo Kiowa Technology Center launches short-term programs website

In an effort to better assist the community with training opportunities, Caddo Kiowa Technology Center launched a new online short-term course platform. This website allows CKTC’s Adult Career Development department to have a larger online presence to serve the district’s educational and training needs.

The goal of the new platform is to provide those interested in training an easier way to learn about CKTC’s short term classes and the exciting opportunities the ACD department has to offer. The new webpage gives better access to the current class offerings, customized programs, enrollment process and ease of finding more information.

“This launch is an exciting time for CKTC in adult education,” said John Noel, Business and Industry Services Director. “This platform is easy to navigate, explains our classes, and is super convenient for enrollment. It has all of the information in one place, which is very important in serving our patrons.”

CKTC’s Adult Career Development department offers a wide variety of learning opportunities. From career advancement courses, hobbies, certifications, to adult basic education, community members can find a class that fits their desired educational interest.

For more information on CKTC’s short-term classes, please visit the site at http://mycktc.coursestorm.com.

Cosmetology students enter ‘Spooky Season Contest’

Cosmetology students at Caddo Kiowa Technology Center in Fort Cobb recently styled mannequins to take part in the “Spooky Season Contest”. Hannah Lewis (adult) was awarded 1st place. Second place went to Kemeree Hodges (Carnegie HS) and coming in third place was Madison Stafford (adult). The students enjoyed using their creativity to style their mannequin in spirit of Halloween. Other contestants were: Rylie Repp (Fort Cobb-Broxton HS), Morayma Zamacona (Anadarko HS), Tessa Bear (adult) and Jennifer Porras (Hinton HS).

1st Place – Hannah Lewis (Adult)

2nd place – Kemeree Hodges (Carnegie HS)

3rd place – Madison Stafford (Adult)