Thirty Oklahoma technology center financial services staff members recently learned more about the Oklahoma CareerTech System and the issues that confront their offices in TechCENT$.
The professional development program, in its first year, is designed to teach participants the requirements for managing school finances in legal, ethical and responsible ways, said Diane Durham, TechCENT$ program coordinator with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.
Participants shared their best practices with each other, she said, and had “the opportunity to experience the unique instruction and services provided by the different tech centers they visited.”
The 30 participants attended five sessions from October through March and visited six technology centers and ODCTE’s offices in Stillwater. Topics ranged from the history and future of the CareerTech System to budgeting, funding and personnel issues.
“In addition to the program curriculum, participants developed contacts and established relationships with other technology center staff that will provide them with resources long after the conclusion of the program,” Durham said.
Participants in TechCENT$ are required to work for a technology center or ODCTE and be current or potential technology center financial services staff members.
TechCENT$ graduates are Ora Morgan, Autry Tech Center; Jamie Pittman and Heather Rhodes, Caddo Kiowa Tech Center; Justin Martin, Canadian Valley Tech Center; Heather Brennan, Central Tech Center; Judy Schaffler, Chisholm Trail Tech Center; Bill McCully, Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Center; Sherri Wood, Francis Tuttle Tech Center; Jennifer Carpenter, Gordon Cooper Tech Center; Debbie Mitchell, Great Plains Tech Center; Vickie Hunter, High Plains Tech Center; Stacia McCune, Kiamichi Tech Center; Beth Buchanan, Meridian Tech Center; Matt Gindhart, Metro Tech Center; Terri Hays, Mid-America Tech Center; Red Day Johnson, Moore Norman Tech Center; Jean Arnold, Northeast Tech Center; Ashlee Sneary, Northwest Tech Center; Diane Durham and Scott Smith, ODCTE; Stacey Rush, Pioneer Tech Center; Jerri Howard, Pontotoc Tech Center; Sheila Brock, Red River Tech Center; Katie Miller and Connie Pelton, Southern Oklahoma Tech Center; Cassie Farr, Southwest Tech Center; Tammy Flynn, Tri County Tech Center; Erin Williams, Tulsa Tech Center; Brenda Wingo, Wes Watkins Tech Center; and Lori Piercey, Western Tech Center.
The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 59 campuses, 393 comprehensive school districts and 13 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities. The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all Oklahomans.
Laura Wilson, Writer/Editor
Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education
1500 W. Seventh Ave., Stillwater, OK 74074
405-743-5522 Email Laura Wilson