Women's History Month

Our first spotlight is on our amazing Front Desk Receptionist at the District Conference Center, Miss Betty Kemp!

Betty got her start at Metro Tech in 1992 teaching students in the Culinary Arts program how to fold napkins and set up banquet tables properly.

In 1994, the program was moved to the South Bryant Campus, and that's when she was offered a job as a front desk receptionist at our District Conference Center at the Springlake Campus, and that's where she's been ever since.

In April of this year, Betty will be celebrating 31 years at Metro Tech!

"I've been offered other positions at other companies, and I just tell them, 'nope I'm Metro Tech for life'," Betty said.

From answering phones, to helping anyone and everyone who walks through the doors of our District Center, Betty has truly served Metro Tech with a heart for customer service.

"I love helping students and customers, because the students really are our customers," Betty said.

Miss Betty, thank you for playing such an important role in the history of Metro Tech, and thank you for being #MT4Life.

This spotlight is on someone who has worn many hats here at Metro Tech.

She is our Inventory, Warehouse, and Grounds Superivisor, Kim Gordon.

Kim started at Metro Tech in 1992 as a bus driver shortly before being promoted to a substitue bus driver/admin clerk. During this time, Kim also took advantage of the computer training courses offered at Metro Tech to continue her professional growth.

A few years later, Kim was promoted to a position within the warehouse where she learned to drive a forklift, and also drove our now retired 65-foot mobile classroom!

Kim was there when our warehouse operated out of our current cosmetology building on the Springlake Campus and watched as the new warehouse and grounds center was constructed in 1996.

Once the transition to the new building was complete, Kim was put in charge of creating daily workflow processes for employees in the warehouse. During the next few years, Kim worked her way up to inventory admin, inventory clerk, and then inventory specialist.

When Kim's superivsors retired, she was promoted to the position she has now. In September of this year, she will be celebrating 31 years at Metro Tech!

As a leader in one of Metro Tech's busiest support departments, Kim only has one philosophy to go by. "My goal has always been to treat others as I want to be treated and provide the best support and customer service that I can to our students, staff, and community," Kim said.

Additionally, Kim knows she couldn't do it alone, and is grateful for the team she gets to work with on a daily basis. "I love my team of incredible people at the warehouse," Kim said. "We take much pride in keeping our campuses neat, clean, and safe for everyone. It's been some really busy years, but I like busy."

We are very appreciative of everything that Kim and her team does for all of our campuses on a daily basis, and we're proud to say that Kim is #MT4Life.

Today's Metro Tech Spotlight and Educational Technology Coach, Anita Parks, facilitates educational program training and resources for our faculty and staff.

However, what some may not know, is that she actually got her start at Metro Tech as a Graphic Designer!

From 1988 to 1991, Anita worked in the graphic design department and was among the first at Metro Tech to learn how to do her work on a Macintosh computer.

Also around this time, Anita left Metro Tech and decided to open her own freelance graphic design company, but still worked for us on a contract-basis before 1997, when she was presented an opportunity to teach Graphic Design.

“I had a very successful freelance business, but I wanted to get back into CareerTech.” Anita said. “I wanted to make a difference in the lives of students.”

Anita got to see many of her students graduate and become successful graphic designers with businesses themselves, but greater things were in store.

In 2007, Anita was presented with another opportunity at Metro Tech as an Industrial Training Development Coordinator where she could apply her teaching skills to a variety of areas, and was the first to bring Adobe training to Metro Tech.

Anita transitioned into the role of Industrial Design Specialist, and then Professional Development Coordinator before moving into the role she has now just last Spring.

This year, Anita is celebrating 28 years at Metro Tech!

Not only is Anita a valuable asset to Metro Tech, but she has also played an integral role in our history by establishing various opportunities thy have greatly benefitted our success.

Thank you so much, Anita, for all that you’ve done for us during your years at Metro Tech. We know you will continue to do good work for many more!

Our fourth and final Women's History Month Spotlight, Lisa Knox, has played a significant role in our history by serving as a strong leader in one of our largest and most popular full-time programs.

Lisa got her start in cosmetology right out of high school and has been teaching cosmetology since she was 20 years old.

Her first impression of Metro Tech was when Lisa was invited to be a guest speaker at one of our Health Careers graduations as Mrs. Oklahoma.

"Ironically, right after that, I saw an opening at Metro Tech for a cosmetology teacher," Lisa said. "I always wanted to teach at a CareerTech."

In November of 1997, Lisa was hired as an instructor for our first ever nail and facial course for adults, and this year, she is celebrating 26 years at Metro Tech!

Until just four years ago, Lisa taught within our adult Cosmetology program, but now she works with our full-time high school students.

"I enjoy being that guide for students who are in the beginning stages of their cosmetology careers," Lisa said.

Not only has Lisa seen countless students successfully graduate from the Cosmetology program at Metro Tech, but she has also taken several of her students to SkillsUSA Nationals SIX different times!

Lisa also says she would not have been able to achieve what she has at Metro Tech without the amazing support of her supervisors and colleagues.

"Metro Tech will support you in whatever goals you have," Lisa said. "If you want to stay in your position, they will stand by you for however long you want to stay. If you think you want to try something else at Metro Tech, they will be there to support you in doing that, too."

Lisa, thank you for the amazing work you and your team have accomplished within our Cosmetology program, and thank you for choosing to be #MT4Life!