MATC welcomes new faculty

New staff and teachers at Mid-America Technology Center for the 2023-2024 school year include Nicole Aderhold, Marci Burkhart, Chelsea Hatton, Caitlin Hensley, Connor Ivey, Dominik Jackson, David James, Shane Kirby, Hanna Laningham, and Larry Tuck.

Nicole Aderhold is a Teacher Assistant and Bus Driver. She is married to Steve Aderhold and has two sons Zachary and Nicholas.

Aderhold graduated from high school at Southern Boone County R-1in Ashland, MO. She also received an Associate’ Degree from Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, MO and a Bachelor’s Degree from Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, NJ. She is also a 2023 graduate of MATC’s Horticulture Technician program.

Before Aderhold moved to Oklahoma and attended MATC she was a NICU Infant Feeding Technician at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA.

In her spare time, Aderhold enjoys working out, hiking, gardening and outdoor activities.

Marci Burkhart is the Student Accounting Coordinator. Burkhart and her husband Steve have 3 sons, a daughter-in-law, a grandson, and a new grandbaby on the way.

Burkhart is a graduate of Noble high school; she also attended MATC while in high school and completed the Horticultural program.

Burkhart’s previous employment has included several positions within the public education setting – SPEC, office administrative assistant/attendance/registrar assistant.

After living in the Houston area for many years, Burkhart recently moved back home to Oklahoma. She was in the right place at the right time … MATC was in the position to hire a new student accounting coordinator, Burhart said, “MATC felt like the right place for me!”

Chelsea Hatton is the new Customer Service Secretary in the MATC Business and Industry Building. Hatton lives in Maysville with her husband Kalen and daughter Eleanor and son Oliver.

Hatton was homeschooled in high school and attended OSU-OKC where she graduated with an AAS in American Sign Language. She was previously employed at Whitbead Public School for 3 years as a Secretary and Activity Fund Custodian.

“This position at Mid-America seemed to be what I should be doing in terms of professional growth. I was maxed out in my previous job and wanted to keep learning and growing. I’ve also heard so much about MATC and the wonderful opportunities it has.”

When Hatton is not at work she enjoys crafting, kayaking, hunting, and musicals!

Caitlin Hensley is the new BIS Health instructor. She is married to Chris Hensley and has two sons, Seth and Heston, and two daughters, Jentri and KalleeJo.

Hensley is a proud Linsday High School graduate. After high school she attended the Practical Nursing program at Mid-America Technology Center which enabled her to obtain her LPN License. Hensley is currently taking classes at OSU-OKC where she is pursuing her bachelor's degree.

Hensley has worked as nursing assistant, CNA, and LPN at several long-term care facilities as well as a growing medical clinic in ADA.

Working in healthcare is a passion for Hensley, “I have always wanted to be part of helping the healthcare system grow. This position gives me the opportunity to be able to do that, as well as mold and teach new students to be able to do the same. MATC has helped me grow as an individual and become the nurse I am today. I am so honored to be a part of the MATC team.”

Hensley enjoys time with her family and watching her children in all their sports and activities. She also likes being outdoors, listening to audiobooks, and taking a little downtime to watch her favorite tv shows.

Connor Ivey is a Teacher Assistant and Bus Driver. Ivey’s wife is Allyson, his parents are Donnie and Heather Ivey, and he has one brother Caleb Ivey.

Ivey graduated from Maysville High School and MATC’s Welding program. He went on to use the skills he gained at MATC as a welder at Burford Corp. in Maysville.

“The friendly environment and the great opportunity are two reasons I chose to work here … plus my wife and I are both graduates of Mid-America, so that was also played a part in my decision.”

Ivey’s main hobbies outside of work are golfing, fishing, and spending time with family.

Dominik Jackson is a new MATC IT Technician. His family includes his father Paul Jackson and three siblings Audrey, Vincent, and Amilyn.

Jackson graduated from Washington High School and Mid-America Technology Center where he received his completion certificate in Cyber Security.

He has been employed as an IT Technician at Blue Vintage and as a summer intern at MATC!

“I took the position at MATC to further expand my knowledge of technology and to gain valuable experience.”

Jackson spends his free time racing, building cars, and playing games with friends.

Davis James is the Equine Production teacher. He is married to Carrie James, and they have one daughter Camryn.

James is a Norman High graduate and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.

James has been, since 1997, and continues to be the proud owner and operator of James Performance Horses.

“I took the position of Equine Production teacher for the joy of teaching the next generation about the horse industry.”

James enjoys horse shows and spending time with his family.

Shane Kirby is the Plumbing teacher for MATC’s new Plumbing Assistant program. He has three children Kaleb, 21; Kassi, 20; and Logan, 18.

Kirby is a proud Norman High Tiger class of 1997 graduate (only high school in Norman in 1997)! And he obtained his Plumbing Certificate from Moore Norman Technology Center.

Kirby has run the gamut in his 28 years as a local Metro plumber; residential and commercial service and repair and residential and new construction plumbing.

“I am a third generation plumber who attended ‘vo-tech’ for plumbing and was excited to become a graduate of one class out of four classes in the state at the time! I think it’s time for me to help ready the next generation of plumbers.”

Hanna Laningham is a teacher in our expanding Health Careers Explorer program. Her and her husband Hunter have one son named Daxton.

Laningham graduated from Blanchard High School and then attended the MATC Practical Nursing program. She is currently taking classes at OCCC.

Laningham has worked in various clinic settings. Most recently at Classen Family Medicine as an LPN, Patient Liaison. Prior to that, she was at Encompass Home Health working in the field as an LPN. Laningham also has experience in pediatrics and urgent care.

“I have always wanted to become an educator, so having the opportunity to use my knowledge and experience in nursing to help educate and hopefully inspire future nursing and health care workers is an honor. I am so excited to start this new journey and look forward to teaching your children … we are going to have a great year!”

In her free time, Laningham enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and son.

Larry Tuck is the Welding teacher. He is married to Carrie Tuck and they have a son Bryce Tuck.

Tuck is a graduate of Lexington High School.

Tuck was a warehouse manager for 18 years and has been and is still currently the Basic Welding instructor for Adult Evening class at MATC.

When asked why he wanted to teach Welding, he states “I have 30 years of experience in welding and it’s always been a passion of mine. Now this gives me the opportunity to share that passion and knowledge with our youth today.”

Tuck spends his downtime golfing, fishing, traveling and spending time with family.