Note from the Director's Desk
The changing of the calendar to 2024 brings so many exciting things to light in the months ahead. As we enter February, we will be celebrating CTE month with numerous activities at Gibson Technical Center as well as students competing in SkillsUSA and HOSA competitions. As we move to spring, our students will be completing their various certification tests, and the next thing you know we're watching another class of students head off to the next chapter of his/her lives.
In 2024 we will begin the process of transitioning from Gibson Tech to Table Rock Career Center. Progress on the new facility is moving along quite well, and we continue to target our move during the early part of the fall semester. Keep your eye out for the announcement of our Spring Showcase for your opportunity to come see some of what our students have accomplished this year as well as celebrate 50 years of GTC.
Mr. Brian Moler
Director- Gibson Tech
GTC January EMT Professionals of the Month
Gibson Technical Center is excited to showcase the following EMT students as our January Professionals of the Month.
Branson High School Senior, Emma Melton, is representing the EMT Program. Emma looks forward to attending class every day because she has a passion for helping people and loves learning in an environment conducive to hands-on learning. After graduation she is looking forward to pursue additional emergency response training at Ozarks Technical College in the fall.
Our second representative from the EMT Program is Galena High School senior, Laci Thompson. Laci appreciates how the EMT program is preparing her for a career right out of High School. She is looking forward to working as an EMT while continuing her studies to reach her career goals of being a paramedic and an emergency room nurse.
Thanks to Tracy Carver-American Family Insurance Agency for her continued support of our GTC Professionals of the Month!
GTC January Health Technology Professionals of the Month
Gibson Technical Center is also proud to spotlight the following Heath Technology students as two more January Professionals of the Month.
Mackenzie Holloway is our first representative from our Health Technology Program. Mackenzie attended Branson High School the first semester and just transferred to Spokane High School. She loves how she is able to collaborate with her classmates. Upon graduation she plans to work as a CNA while she continues her education to become a labor/delivery nurse.
Reeds Spring High School Junior, Keili DeVors is our second representative from the Health Technology program. Keili loves the real-world experience she is receiving in her program of study. After high school she wants to pursue a career as a registered nurse. She has always been interested in the healthcare industry and helping others.
Thanks to Tracy Carver-American Family Insurance Agency for her continued support of our GTC Professionals of the Month!
GTC January Staff Members of the Month
Congratulations goes to our Instructional Specialist Mr. John Giebler on being selected our Teacher of the Month. You may ask, "What does an Instructional Specialist do?", but the better question is probably "what does he NOT do". Mr. Giebler wears so many different hats in our building, it's hard to keep track of. In essence though, Mr. Giebler does many different tasks all with the heart of serving our teachers and students every day. Everyone here is very grateful for his positive impact.
Our Employee of the Month is Mr. Dusty Borgman, who serves as a Teacher Assistant for Mr. Stober in the Auto Collision program. Mr. Borgman, who also serves as a bus driver for the district, jumped at the opportunity to join our staff. He brings almost 40 years of experience in auto collision. He has a passion for helping students prepare for the demands of the collision repair industry. He is an invaluable asset to our Auto Collision program.
Spokane Sophomores Tour GTC
It was great visiting with an awesome group of students from Spokane High School on December 13. There is no way to measure their excitement as they explored all of the wonderful things Table Rock Career Center has to offer in preparing them for so many different career and college paths.
RS Works January Intern Showcase
Logan Noriega
Fiberglass Intern
Logan is a senior from Reeds Spring High School who is enrolled in the Auto Collision program. Logan wanted to study collision repair to gain more experience working with fiberglass which is the industry he intends to pursue. Logan is the lot manager at Hughes Marine, and also interns with Table Rock Fiberglass Repair, where he is gaining fiberglass experience servicing RVs, motorcycles, ATVs, and various watercrafts. Logan exclaims, "One of my favorite experiences was when I had to go to Shell Knob by water to pull a boat. I enjoyed running a vessel for two hours cruising down the lake!"
RS Works January Intern Showcase
Ty McKnight
Marine Service Technician Intern
Ty is a senior from Galena High School and is enrolled in the Marine Technology program. Ty is completing his internship as a service technician at Ulrich Marine in Branson West. Ty is looking forward to "Just being able to get my hands on motors, getting them dirty and furthering my knowledge and experience." He adds, regarding his internship, " I am looking forward to gaining more experience on motors and wiring/electrical work."
Spotlight on Early Childhood Careers
In the Early Childhood Careers Program students study topics including developmental milestones; educational and behavioral theorists that have contributed to education; how to create safe and healthy learning environments; and how to plan and implement lesson plans for newborn children to 6th grade.
One key aspect of preparing for a career in early childhood education is ensuring students have appropriate certifications and qualifications. A crucial certification for individuals venturing into this industry is First Aid/CPR. This year, Early Childhood Career students were able to become certified in infant, children, and adult CPR. As young children can be susceptible to mishaps and health concerns, possessing this certification equips educators with the necessary skills to address emergencies effectively.
In addition to certifications, gaining hands-on experience in a classroom setting is invaluable. Early Childhood Career students spend two days a week working alongside teachers in their classrooms. This hands-on experience equips individuals with a realistic understanding of the challenges and rewards associated with early childhood careers. This semester we have 5 seniors participating in paid internships through their sending schools and local daycare centers!
Upon completion of this two year program, students will have the opportunity to gain nine articulated college credit hours through Ozark Technical Community College, become certified in Early Childhood through the American Association of Family and Consumer Science, as well as the opportunity to take the Missouri Paraprofessional Test to become a certified paraprofessional. This program is a great stepping stone for anyone interested in the childcare or education career paths.
GTC Alumni Spotlight: Tate and Clayton Johnson
Gibson Technical Center is proud to feature brothers and Reeds Spring High School alumni Tate Johnson (2016) and Clayton Johnson (2019) as our winter GTC Alumni Spotlight. Both students excelled in the GTC’s Construction program and both used the experience gained in Mr. Young’s Construction program to help them transition into leadership positions with Wesley Johnson Masonry. Tate is now the chief financial officer and Clayton is a project foreman for a family-owned business committed to constructing patios, custom fireplaces, stone walk-ways, retaining walls, elevator shafts, foundations, and any stonework that enhances the beauty of a home.
From Left to right: Tate and Clayton Johnson
Tate Johnson reflected back on his time at GTC and appreciated how the construction program provided a well-rounded introduction to the construction industry. “Being introduced to many different aspects of the construction industry has been really helpful in the masonry business in regards to meeting the individual needs of all customers.”
Clayton Johnson enjoyed, “Learning a little bit of everything about construction. I had multiple career paths to choose from when I decided to work in this industry after I graduated high school. Gibson Tech encouraged me to try new things and provided an opportunity to learn everything I could from Mr. Young.”
Both Tate and Clayton encourage students to take advantage of all of the great options Gibson Technical Center provides. The skills learned cost the student nothing and these skills will be with the student for the rest of his/her life.
Branson High School Tours GTC
On January 24 over 100 Branson High School sophomores had an opportunity to explore all twelve programs of study designed to prepare today's students for the jobs of tomorrow. We cannot wait to see many of these students at Table Rock Career Center next school year.
RS Works February Intern Showcase
Natalie Hash
Early Education Intern
Natalie is a senior from Crane High School and is enrolled in GTC's Early Childhood Careers program. Natalie has been hired as a part-time teachers assistant in the Crane School District where she works in the Early Childhood Special Education Department. Natalie states, "Seeing the kids' little faces light up when they realize they have learned something new is just the best feeling!" She adds, "I am teaching the students just as much as they are teaching me and I really appreciate this opportunity! Thank you!"
RS Works February Intern Showcase
Kolton Goff
Automotive Service Technician Intern
Kolten is a senior at Blue Eye High School and is enrolled in the Auto Technology program GTC. Kolten is interning with Oakley's Auto World in Branson West where he spends most of his time at their south shop location working as a service technician. Kolten says, "The internship is a lot of fun because I get to learn new things and meet new people. I'm getting real world experience of being in a professional shop and having to meet deadlines."
Staff Spotlight: Logan Vahle
Gibson Technical Center is excited to spotlight our Career Counselor Logan Vahle. Mr. Vahle has worn many hats in his 21 years in education and his path to Gibson Technical Center has many interesting stops on his career path. Mr. Vahle earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Math Education at Missouri Southern University in Joplin, Missouri where he was on a full-ride football scholarship. When Mr. Vahle completed his studies at Missouri Southern he chased his dream of living in the wilderness, next to the ocean and the mountains of Alaska where he spent ten years teaching math (Pre-Algebra to Calculus) at Dillingham High School. In this role he saw the need to help students who were faced with many challenges outside of school. Because of this, he earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of Western Alabama.
In 2013 he made the decision to move back to Missouri in an effort to be closer to his family. This life-changing choice brought him to Gibson Technical Center where he taught embedded math for eight years. In this role at GTC Mr. Vahle loved collaborating with program instructors providing math lessons individually relevant to each program of study. During his entire tenure at GTC Mr. Vahle has focused on maintaining positive relationships with all students and staff and when the career Counselor position opened in 2021 he jumped at this new opportunity to positively impact students as they prepare for college, career, and life.
Mr. Vahle goes to work every day with the pride that comes from working in a culture committed to being a student-first organization. Because of this shared commitment to help students prepare for life after high school, the staff is more like a family. A family that works hard every day to teach students skills that will be used for the rest of their lives.
GTC Staff Tours Table Rock Career Center
Hollister High School Tours GTC
Reeds Spring High School Tours GTC
It was great seeing all of the sophomores from Reeds Spring High School touring our 12 programs of study on January 31. It was even more amazing seeing so many students display pride and gratitude for having so many options available to them at Table Rock Career Center right next door to the high school.
GTC February Computer Technology Professionals of the Month
Gibson Technical Center is excited to showcase the following Computer Technology students as our February Professionals of the Month.
Cameron Hill is our first representative from our Computer Technology Program. Cameron is a senior at Branson High School and is an intern at Lakeside Computer and Signs in Kimberling City. Cameron loves how Mr. Thompson empowers his students to “work for their learning.” In other words, he teaches students to use their critical thinking skills every day in the classroom because that is what they will have to do when they enter industry.
Reeds Spring High School senior, Adam Putalavage is our second representative from the Computer Technology program. Adam is also an intern at Lakeside Computer and Signs. He is always ready to take on the challenges Mr. Thompson gives him in the classroom. He values these challenges as opportunities to prepare him for life after he completes his program of study. He is looking forward to continuing his education at State Tech where he will study Computer Networking and Cyber Security.
Thanks to Tracy Carver-American Family Insurance Agency for her continued support of our GTC Professionals of the Month!
GTC February Graphic Design Professionals of the Month
Gibson Technical Center is also proud to spotlight the following Graphic Design students as two more February Professionals of the Month.
Forsyth High School senior, Alex Mattegat, is representing the Graphic Arts program. Alex enjoys the opportunity to create various types of artwork in her program of study. Whether it’s creating designs on various platforms on the computer or creating art by hand she loves all of the hands-on experience she is getting at GTC. After high school Alex is looking forward to pursuing a career in art.
Our second representative from the Graphic Arts program is Reeds Spring High School junior, Mackenzie Wood. Mackenzie appreciates the new skills she is learning in graphic design and is looking forward to using these skills when she completes her program of study. Mr. Bob Bruffett, her instructor, proudly states, “Mackenzie is always exceeding expectations and is a student I can always count on.”
Thanks to Tracy Carver-American Family Insurance Agency for her continued support of our GTC Professionals of the Month!
GTC February Staff Members of the Month
Congratulations to our Alternative School teacher, Casey Rader, for being named the February GTC Teacher of the Month. One of her colleagues said it best, “She gives her all every day to everyone.” Her impact on her students is unmeasurable. Many times, she becomes the one teacher students encounter that provides the perfect amount of encouragement and structure they need to be successful in high school and beyond.
Our Employee of the Month is one of our teacher assistants, Kara McGregor. A member of the GTC staff had this to say about how much she is appreciated, “Ms. McGregor builds very strong relationships with students across many classrooms. She is truly someone that they enjoy learning with and they know she truly cares about them.” She defines what it means to be a team player by continuously lending a hand when needed and always with a smile.
Focus on EMT
We are proud to showcase the Emergency Medical Technician program. EMTs are one of the first medical professionals to arrive on the scene of a crisis. They must evaluate the severity of wounds or illnesses and provide medical treatment and emotional support. They must know human anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology to save lives.
The students this year have combined classroom lectures, bookwork, lab, and lessons with supervised field professionals to gain the experience they will use when they enter this industry. Throughout the year, students have worked hard to obtain the following certifications: American Heart Association Basic Life Support for the health care providers and OSHA 10 hour general healthcare industry safety certification. Students also have the opportunity to gain field experience with area ambulance services as part of their clinical training.
All students are members of HOSA which is a national organization for secondary and postsecondary/collegiate career and technical education students enrolled in health science (and pre-technical health science) programs or for students who are planning to pursue a health career. Local HOSA chapters provide programs and activities to help individuals develop their physical, mental, and social well-being. Members strengthen their leadership and citizenship abilities through interaction with professional, business, and other student organizations. HOSA members have the opportunity to share experiences with other people involved in the health professions. Members build confidence in their ability to develop skills that will lead to successful employment in the health care industry. The mission of HOSA is to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality health care by providing opportunities for knowledge, skill, and leadership development of all health science education students, therefore, helping the student meet the needs of the healthcare community.
2024 SkillsUSA District Competitions
The following students just represented GTC at the 2024 SkillsUSA Southwest Missouri District Competition the week of February 5-9:
Welding Fabrication Team (2nd Place---Going to State!)
Garret Lewallen---Galena High School
Talan Gold---Reeds Spring High School
Jake Toal---Reeds Spring High School
Welding
Edward Mckinder---Branson High School
Liam Plachta---Branon High School
Zack Adams---Spokane High School
Tray Murphy---Galena High School
Automotive Service Technology
Taylor Yartz---Reeds Spring High School
Thor Orthman---Spokane High School
Culinary Arts
Izsac Culver---Reeds Spring High School
Amelia Wickman---Reeds Spring High School (2nd Place---Going to State!)
Baking and Pastry Arts
Mackenzie Young---Blue Eye High School (1st Place---Going to State!)
Laura Meredith---Branson High School
Information Technology Services
Titan Springer---Forsyth High School (1st Place---Going to State!)
Vincent Estes---Forsyth High School (2nd Place---Going to State!)
Derek Roberts---Forsyth High School
Tommy Clark---Blue Eye High School
Alex Bodi---Forsyth High School
Josh Skinner---Branson High School
Nurse Assisting
Aaliyah Smith---Reeds Spring High School (2nd Place---Going to State!)
Makenzie White---Forsyth High School
Mariah Thomas---Reeds Spring High School
Desirae Hulse------Reeds Spring High School (3rd Place)
Basic Health Care Skills
Addison Crane---Reeds Spring High School
Keili DeVors---Reeds Spring High School (2nd Place---Going to State!)
Mackenzie Holloway---Spokane High School
Quiz Bowl Team 1 (3rd Place---Going to State!)
Dallas DuVall---Graphic Design---Forsyth High School
James Loggins---Graphic Design---Forsyth High School
MacKenzie Young---Computer Technology---Blue Eye High School
Stacie Wooten---Graphic Design---Spokane High School
Aidan Shrake---Construction---Galena High School
Quiz Bowl Team 2
Eric Gregory---Computer Technology---Hollister High School
Titan Springer---Computer Technology---Forsyth High School
Vincent Estes---Computer Technology---Forsyth High School
Derek Roberts---Computer Technology---Forsyth High School
Tommy Clark---Computer Technology---Blue Eye High School
Congratulations to the students who advanced to the SkillsUSA State Competition that will be held April 4-6 in Jefferson City and Columbia, Missouri.
Did You Know?
"Hail to the skillful cunning hand!
Hail to the cultural mind!
Contending for the World's command,
here let them be combined."
Source: American Vocational Journal 1976
Gibson Technical Center
Reeds Spring, Missouri 65737
Email: bmoler@wolves.k12.mo.us
Website: https://www.rs-wolves.com/o/gtc
Phone: (417) 272-3271
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibsontechnicalcenter
Twitter: @gibson_tech
