Opening day for all Four County Career Center juniors and new students is Monday, August 19, 2013 and Tuesday, August 20, 2013 for returning seniors. The Career Center takes the concept of career and technical education beyond the traditional concept of focused training for a single profession and expands it to include clusters of training in a career field. This training combines the technological skills and the critical thinking skills needed for the students to succeed. The 2013-2014 school year at Four County Career Center is opening its’ doors to over 1,000 new and returning students.
Upon completing their training, students receive a Career Passport containing a certificate documenting their training along with verification of employability skills. If they meet the graduation requirements of their high school and pass the required state examinations, they also receive a diploma from their associate high school.
Students attend the Career Center classes starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. Four County Career Center follows a closed lunch period policy requiring all students to either purchase a lunch in the cafeteria or carry their own. Lunches conform to federal governmental standards for a nutritious student lunch.
All Four County Career Center associate districts provide bus transportation for students enrolled in the Career Center. Students are urged to use the transportation provided by their local district. For students who must drive cars to school, a parking area is provided at the northwest edge of the school building.
School closing and delays will be broadcast over the Archbold, Bryan, Defiance, and Montpelier radio stations as well as WTVG-13 TV and WTOL-11 TV in Toledo.
The Career Center is welcoming sixteen new staff members for the 2013-2014 school year.
Christopher Kerns is the new Welding Fabrication instructor at the Career Center. He has worked in education for the past three years and spent one year as a production manager. Christopher received his teaching certificate from Rio Grand University. He lives in Hicksville with his wife, Christi and they have one child.
Taking the position of Academic and Career Tech Secretary is Jenalee Niese. She has worked in education for the past eight years. Jenalee lives in New Bavaria with her husband, Kyle and they have two children.
The new Interior Design instructor is Lisa Hall. She has worked for the past nine years as a grounds keeper and designer and is a past Career Center graduate. Lisa will be obtaining her teaching certification from the University of Toledo. She lives with her husband, Jim in Defiance and they have two children.
Kimberly Kinsman is the new Career Based Intervention instructor at the Career Center. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Wittenberg University and a master’s in administration from Bowling Green State University. She has been in education for the past seven years. Kimberly lives in Archbold with her husband, Lynn and they have four children.
Taking the position of Cosmetology instructor is Jill Westhoven. For the past eleven years Jill has been the owner/operator of the Hair Shack and will be obtaining her teaching certification from the University of Toledo. She lives in Deshler with her two children.
Rachel Fry is the new Math instructor at the Career Center. She is a recent graduate of Bluffton University and has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Rachel lives in Pettisville.
Taking the position of Help Desk/Technology Technician is Elizabeth Behnfeldt. She has worked as a commercial credit analyst for the past three years. Elizabeth lives in Defiance with her husband, Joe and they have two children.
The new English instructor is Tim Bowers. Tim obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English education from The Ohio State University and has been in education for the past twenty-two years. He lives in Liberty Center with his wife, Stacy and they have three children.
Anita Hieber is the new Guidance Counselor at the Career Center. She holds a bachelor’s degree in science education and language arts from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Dayton. She has been in education for the past seven years. Anita lives in Deshler with her husband, Bryan and they have two children.
Taking the position of Guidance Counselor is Shawne Bonney. She holds a bacherlor’s degree in elementary education from Heidelberg College and a master’s degree in guidance from Bowling Green State University. She has been in education for the past fourteen years. Shawne lives in Pioneer with her husband, Dan and they have two children.
Kim Cordes is the new Career Assessment Specialist at the Career Center. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in social studies from Bowling Green State University and her master’s degree in special education intervention specialist from The Defiance College. Kim lives in Napoleon with her husband, Don and they have three children.
Taking the position of Agriculture instructor at the Edgerton Satellite is Katrina Swinehart. She obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture education from The Ohio State University. Katrina has been in education for the past three years. She lives in Bryan.
The new Law Enforcement & Security Tactics instructor is Kevin Thomas. Kevin has been a State Highway Patrolman for the past twenty-seven years and recently the Lieutenant Post Commander. He will obtain his teaching certification from the University of Toledo. Kevin lives in Delta with his wife, Elizabeth and they have three children.
The new Automotive Technologies instructor is Toby Kennerk. Toby is a past graduate of the Career Center and obtained his associate’s degree in automotive technology from Owens Community College. He has worked as an auto technician for the past sixteen years. He will obtain his teaching certification from the University of Toledo. Toby lives in Edgerton with his wife, Tiffany and they have two children.
AD Mendoza is the new Vocational Special Education Coordinator at the Career Center. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in special education from Indiana Wesleyn University and has been in education for the past seven years. AD lives in Wauseon with his wife, Rachel and they have one child.
Taking the position of Special Education Supervisor is Sharon Marvin. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in special education and her master’s degree in classroom teaching from Bowling Green State University and her administrative license from the University of Findlay. Sharon has been in education fro the past nineteen years. She lives in Swanton with her husband, David and they have two children.
INFORMATION PROVIDED