New faculty and staff at Mid-America Technology Center for this year include Manuela Chavez, Kim Clagg, Susan Cope, Laryssa Couch, Mendi Dawley, Shelly Eubank, Robin Hamilton, Stefanie Klein, Jeff Lefler, Heather Lewis, Falcon McDoulett, Parker Miller, Donde Pruitt, Sarah Raney, and Jenny Thompson.

Manuela Chavez is a Practical Nurse Program Instructor. She lives in Pauls Valley with her 2 sons, Rayne and James.

Chavez attended and graduated from Wynnewood Public Schools. She graduated from the LPN program at Mid-America Technology Center in Wayne, OK, and was a member of the LPN class of 1999-2000. In 2002, she attended OCCC for her RN degree. She is currently enrolled to further her education.

Chavez has more than 30 years of health care experience. Her love for nursing started at the age of 16 as a part-time job at The Wynnewood Nursing Home. In 2000 she took a job with Pauls Valley General Hospital. The years there were rewarding and educational. At the closing of the hospital, she had worked every department PRN (“pro re nata” as required/needed), but the Surgery Dept was her home.

During her years at PVGH, she always took a part-time job in the community. She worked at the Wynnewood Nursing Home as an LPN and then as an RN. Following the closing of the Hospital, she worked at a hospital on Northwest Expressway for 2.5 years and the Ambulatory Surgery Center in Ardmore.

“Nursing is my passion and I want to be part of the reason someone becomes a great nurse. I cannot think of a better way to give back to my community. Find something you love to do, and you will never work a day in your life.”

Chavez loves the beach, the sun, and traveling to new places. She enjoys being a football mom. She also enjoys spending time with her family and close friends. For quiet times, she loves to read for fun, photography, and paint.

Chavez is “so grateful and thankful for this community that has shaped me into who I am.”

Kim Clagg will work in food service as a cook. Her family members are Tracey, Mariah, Keith, Jhett, Brittyn, Mason, Nattilee, and Adallyn.

Clagg graduated from Maysville High School. She previously worked as the cafeteria manager form Maysville Public Schools. She decided to take the position at Mid-America for a new challenge.

Clagg enjoys fishing, gardening, and spending time with family. She is a Christian Mother and Grandmother.

Susan Cope will be the school’s new Senior IT Technician. Her parents are Bennie and Valerie Cope, and she has two siblings. Her sister, Katie Tyler, is married to Corry Tyler and has four children: McKennon, Colsen, Judson, and Kallison Tyler. Her brother, Tyler Cope, is married to Alissa Cope, with one boy, Nehemiah, and one little girl on the way. “Being an aunt is the best!”

Cope attended Ada High School and received her BS in Agribusiness from Oklahoma State University. She is currently working on a Master's in Educational Leadership from East Central University.

She worked as a business teacher at Konowa Public Schools for two years, was a video production teacher for two years at Byng High School and was the technology director for Konawa Public Schools for four years.

“The environment at MATC is what drew me in to accept this new position. The Sr. IT Tech position will challenge me in new areas of the profession and provide the opportunity to gain a broader knowledge base of IT.”

Cope’s main hobbies outside of work are running and working outdoors. She is an avid road runner but also enjoys the trails on vacations. She also helps operate the family farm in Ada, which can take up a lot of her spare time.

Laryssa Couch is the Director of Practical Nursing. Her daughter is Olivia Couch, and her son is Isaiah Couch.

She graduated from Wynnewood High School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing at East Central University in 1997. She obtained a Master of Science in Nursing in 2014 at Oklahoma Baptist University. She is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in Educational Leadership at East Central University.

Couch was previously a PN instructor at Mid-America for 12 years, starting her teaching career in 2010. She worked for Dr. Fox and Fields Pediatrics from 2004-2010 and was a Pauls Valley General Hospital Charge Nurse and House Supervisor from 2002-2004. In addition, she worked at Norman Regional from 1997-2002 in the Newborn Nursery.

“It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to serve the practical nursing students of our district and collaborate with facilities in our community. I enjoy getting to pour into and build relationships with students while watching them grow and mature into amazing, confident, competent nurses. The practical nursing program at Mid-America has a history of excellence, and I am honored to lead and serve in this capacity.”

Couch enjoys going to the beach, traveling, watching OU football, and spending time with family and friends. She attends Victory Family Church in Norman.

Mendi Dawley is the Student Accounting Coordinator. Her husband is David Dawley, and her children are Jonathon and Cheyenne Dawley, Sara Dawley, and Josiah Dawley.

Dawley graduated from Noble High School and Mid-America Christian University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree.

“I believe in the mission of MATC to help students become productive citizens in our communities.”

Dawley enjoys reading and spending time with family.

Shelly Eubank will be the school’s new Special Services Coordinator. Her husband is Mike Eubank, Superintendent of Mid-America Technology Center. She has one daughter, McKenna Gilley and husband Trey, grandson Callan, and two sons, Kellar Eubank and Lincoln Eubank.

Eubank obtained her master’s degree in Speech Pathology from The University of Central Oklahoma. She previously worked as a speech pathologist for the Purcell School District for 12 years. She has contracted with the Paoli School District and Whitebead School District for 13 years.

When asked why she chose to take her position at Mid-America, she states, “My husband has worked at MATC his whole career and loves everything about what he does. My children have attended MATC and loved everything about their experience here. I wanted to be a part of a staff that is passionate about what they do and improve the lives of others.”

Eubank enjoys playing with her grandson, Cal, spending time with family, running, working out, cooking, chasing Linc around with basketball games, and now football.

When asked what else the community needs to know, she states, “In 1998 the name ‘Vo-Tech’ was changed to ‘Mid-America Technology Center.’ Many refer to it now as ‘The Tech’ or ‘MATC.’ If you have never visited Mid-America, I encourage anyone to call and set up a tour. It’s a pretty amazing place.”

Robin Hamilton will be a teacher’s aide and bus driver. She is married to Mike Hamilton and has one son, Tanner Hamilton. She graduated from Wynnewood High School and is licensed in cosmetology.

Hamilton previously worked at Whitebead Schools and Purcell Schools as a paraprofessional, was a girls’ basketball coach for 12 years, coached junior high girls’ basketball and track, and was an assistant high school girls’ basketball and cross country coach. She took the position at Mid-America to have more time with family.

Hamilton enjoys antique car shows, rucking and cross fit, painting and drawing, beach time, traveling with family, reading, and church family groups.

“I am very excited to be a part of this amazing school.”

Stefanie Klein works in Business and Industry as a Customer Service Secretary. Her husband is Jerrod Klein, and she has three daughters, Kayden, who is 7, Kelsey, who is 4, and Karsyn, who is 7 months old.

Klein graduated from Purcell High School in 2005 and received an Associate of Arts in General Studies from Oklahoma City Community College. She is currently attending the University of Central Oklahoma where she is working on her Bachelor of Science in Workforce Development.

Prior to working at Mid-America, she worked at Moore Norman Technology Center for 7 years as Accounts Payable Specialist, Finance Administrative Assistant, and Customer Service Representative. Prior to Moore Norman Technology Center, she spent several years working at a corporate accounting office in the automotive industry.

“I love working in CareerTech! Being able to serve here in the MATC district where I also live and raise my family is a blessing and a wonderful opportunity that I could not pass up.”

She enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters.

Jeff Lefler will be a teacher’s assistant. His wife is Julie Lefler, and he has two daughters, Kate and Lizzy.

Lefler graduated from Bartlesville College High School. He previously worked as an area manager for Pizza Hut and was an auto body adjunct instructor at Mid-America for five years.

“I have enjoyed being a part-time instructor in auto body. When the assistant position came available it made good sense to make a quality-of-life improvement. You get the opportunity to teach and make an impact on young people to help improve their future.”

Lefler enjoys taking road trips with his wife to the beach or to the mountains. He spends time working on his classic car and truck. He enjoys being in the gym, working out trying to stay healthy. “It’s a great stress relief.”

When asked what else the community would like to know about him, he states, “I am pretty much an open book.”

Heather Lewis will be in housekeeping. Her mom is Jana Grigsby, and she has two sons, Kevin and Heath.

She graduated from West Monroe High School. Previously, she owned a small business and worked at Eternal Blessings, in Louisiana, transporting elderly individuals to appointments.

She states the reason she wanted to work at Mid-America is “wanting a better future for not just myself but for my boys Kevin, 10, and Heath, 5. This is an amazing place to work. You are all so kind, and I’m truly blessed to be a part of the team.”

She enjoys camping with family, swimming, four-wheel riding, and bonfires.

Falcon McDoulett will be the CNC Machinist teacher. His wife is Morgan McDoulett. He graduated from Tuttle High School and Canadian Valley Technology Center, where he received his education in machining.

His previous employment includes working at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia, and at Springfield Remanufacturing Corporation in Springfield, Missouri.

When asked why he wanted to teach CNC machining, he states, “I had an amazing experience when I went through Vo-tech as a high school student and had known that it is something that I wanted to do ever since.”

McDoulett enjoys cooking, hiking, camping, tinkering on projects at the house, and spending time with family.

“I am here for my students. I will do everything in my power to make my class an enjoyable learning experience that is catered toward each of my students individually. If you want to learn something all you have to do is, ask.”

Parker Miller will be in Maintenance. His wife is Mackynzie Miller. He graduated from Purcell High School.

His previous work experience includes working at Purcell Public Schools and Ace Hardware. He took the position at Mid-America for a “great opportunity for career growth and self-improvement.”

During the little free time he has, he enjoys lifting weights.

Donde Pruitt will be the Veterinary Assistant teacher. She is married to Mike Pruitt and has a daughter and son-in-law, two granddaughters, and a son and soon to be daughter-in-law.

She attended Gotebo High School and Oklahoma State University where she received her bachelor’s in animal science. She previously worked in a veterinary clinic for 22 years and was a teacher’s assistant for the equine program at Mid-America.

Pruitt states that she wants “to share my knowledge and passion for the veterinary profession so students will be equipped to enter the industry with sound knowledge and necessary skills.”

She enjoys family gatherings, crafts, and refinishing furniture.

Sarah Raney will teach Pre-Nursing. She is married and has two children. She graduated from Lexington High school in 2008 and from Mid-America Technology Center’s PN Program in 2009, obtaining her LPN license. She achieved her RN associate degree at OSU in 2018.

Raney has worked in various healthcare settings, including OB, NICU, urgent care, family practice, and occupational health.

“I attended MATC as a senior in high school and graduated the following year from the PN nursing program. The instructors played a tremendous role in my values and professionalism as a new nurse. Now having 13 years’ experience in nursing, I wanted to pursue my love of teaching others and provide future nurses the education and support they need to become the best they can be in the healthcare field.”

Raney enjoys spending time with her family, and her hobbies include art in the form of paintings, drawings, and custom everyday items.

Jenny Thompson will be teaching Biology II and Anatomy and Physiology. She is married with two children.

She attended Westmoore High School and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Previously, she taught English for two years in Sanger, TX; English and Literature at Belle Isle Enterprise Middle School in Oklahoma City for four years; and science at Whitebead Schools for 19 years.

“I am super-excited to be joining the staff at Mid-America to help high school students gain the credits needed to graduate high school as they pursue future career opportunities. I hope to engage students in science activities that will develop creativity and further interest in the biological world around us.”

Thompson enjoys reading, gardening, pets, and church.

Welcome to MATC Manuela Chavez, Kim Clagg, Susan Cope, Laryssa Couch, Mendi Dawley, Shelly Eubank, Robin Hamilton, Stefanie Klein, Jeff Lefler, Heather Lewis, Falcon McDoulett, Parker Miller, Donde Pruitt, Sarah Raney, and Jenny Thompson!