From the Director's Desk

Everyone at Table Rock Career Center is excited to be back in session for the 2024-2025 school year! Classes are off and running and students are close to completing their initial safety tests and starting to make their way into the shops. It's also nice to have the addition of our Project Lead the Way Engineering program up and running under the direction of our newest staff member Mr. Brent Patrick.

Of course, we're all eagerly awaiting the completion of the new building and the subsequent move. Construction is still in progress, but we are at the stage where equipment is being installed and furniture is due to be delivered this month. While we don't have a date for moving in, we are still planning on moving in sometime during the fall semester. We will announce when we will host our Grand Opening and hope everyone can attend and see the final product. It's such a great time to be a part of this school and all of the promises for the future. Thank you for your support.

TRCC Debuts New Program

Table Rock Career Center is debuting a new program of study for the 2024-2025 school year. Project Lead the Way Engineering is a two-year program to help students pursue a degree in various engineering career paths. Brent Patrick joins the staff with experience in both education and in the United States Navy. Mr. Patrick has four years of experience teaching math at Hollister and Spokane High Schools. Before entering into a career in education, Mr. Patrick served in the United States Navy as an electrician and in nuclear operations. He is excited how this new program will provide many opportunities for students in many different career paths.

Congratulations to our Collision Repair instructor, Chris Stober, for being named the September Teacher of the Month. Mr. Stober’s lessons are always well thought out and provide industry relevance to the students in his program of study. He takes pride in offering opportunities for all students, especially those who find success in the collision lab who might struggle at his/her sending school. He takes great pride in the role he plays helping all students learn and grow academically and professionally.

Congratulations to our placement and finance administrative assistant Sandy Yocum for being named our September Employee of the Month. Ms. Yocum just recently joined the Table Rock Career Center staff after serving for 19 years at Reeds Spring High School in a variety of different positions. Her transition to her new position has been seamless and she is always willing to lend a helping hand. She is so excited about how her new position is a collaborative partnership with all of the TRCC instructors and this partnership makes her feel so connected to the educational process

Spotlight on Graphic Design

The graphic design industry has evolved immensely in the 27 years Mr. Bruffett has been the program's instructor. As this industry has evolved so has this program of study. In the past students spent the majority of lab time producing business cards, newsletters, flyers, and brochures. Though many of the items are still being produced, students are now creating banners, T-shirts, and graphics for cars, trucks, and buses. This program is designed to introduce students to basic graphic design techniques through the use of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. And with this experience students have a wide variety of career paths to choose from in this high-demand industry.

Mr. Bruffett worked in the graphic design industry for over ten years before he began working in education. During his tenure at TRCC he has embraced the idea of always working outside his comfort zone. By doing this he has always been able to keep up with the technological advances that are synonymous with this ever-changing industry. The Graphic Design program is more than a class, it is a live lab with real customers. Over 400 customer projects roll through his shop during a typical school year. He is filled with great pride watching students grow and flourish in a place that allows young people to be challenged as they learn new skills they will have for the rest of his/her life.

Focus on RS Works Interns

Sara, a senior at Galena High School, is the first student to join the RS Works Internship Program through her Healthcare Careers 2 program, where she is on the fast-track LPN program through Ozark Technical College. Sara is eager to enhance her skills through hands-on experience she is receiving at OTC. Sara shares, "I come from a family of nurses, and I want to be able to help kids in the future."

Table Rock Career Center would like to spotlight two students from our Welding Program as our September Professionals of the Month. Congratulations to the following students:

Forsyth High School junior Dylan Pride comes to TRCC every day with the mindset of learning as much as he can and always exceeds program expectations. He excels in the classroom and was the first in the class to earn his OSHA 10 Card. Upon completion of his program of study he is excited about pursuing a career as pipeline welder.

Reeds Spring High School senior Lindsey Keithley appreciates the hands-on learning opportunities TRCC provides in the welding program. When she entered the program she had prior welding experience and comes to class every day excited to learn more about this high-demand industry. She is looking forward to continuing her welding education after she graduates from high school.

Thanks to Tracy Carver-American Family Insurance Agency for her continued support of our TRCC Professionals of the Month!

TRCC Welcomes Brian Leisinger

Table Rock Career Center is proud to welcome Brian Leisinger to the TRCC staff. Mr. Leisinger will be serving as a teacher assistant in the Automotive Technology I program. He has over 38 years of experience working in the automotive industry and is excited to share what he has learned with the next generation of automotive technicians.

TRCC Alumni Spotlight:

Jake McCracken

Our alumni spotlight is features 2022 Reeds Spring High School graduate Jake McCracken who is an automotive body technician with Caliber Collision in Springfield, Missouri. As a student at Gibson Technical Center he was very thankful to his instructor, Chris Stober, for instilling in him the importance of the attention to detail that is required in this industry. When asked about the best part of working in the collision repair industry he, without hesitation, replied, “Every car is different and because of this I am learning something new everyday.” He is thankful for his time at GTC and believes, “I would not be where I am today without the support I received at Gibson Tech.”

Matt Locke Joins TRCC Staff

Table Rock Career Center is excited having Matt Locke join the staff. After working for 32 years at Reeds Spring High School, Mr. Locke is excited to support career-minded students as a teacher’s assistant in the Marine Technology program. He is excited about the role he will be playing in helping students learn skills he wishes he had the opportunity to learn when he was in high school.

Focus on RS Works Interns

Dominic Hayward (Reeds Spring High School)

Dominic, a senior at Reeds Spring, who is participating in a financial sales/marketing internship through Maureen Darby's State Farm Insurance in Branson West. Dominic states, "I chose to apply for the RS Works Internship program because it offers a rare chance to dive into the insurance industry with hands-on experience with a respected company like State Farm." Dominic adds, "I’m excited to gain a deeper understanding of how the insurance industry operates, especially as it relates to marketing."

Spotlight on Marine Technology

The Marine Technology program at Gibson Technical Center is one of just two programs serving the marine industry in Missouri. Students have an opportunity to earn his/her Missouri Boaters License through the Missouri Coast Guard Auxiliary. This is a mandatory requirement for any person who wants to pursue a career in this high-demand industry. The Yamaha University introduction to Outboard Systems certificate is the Industry Recognized Credential that will help student’s standout when they begin pursuing employment in one of the many marine shops in the Tri-Lakes region. This fall students will earn his/her OSHA Forklift Certification and OSHA Card. “The OSHA 10 card confirms to employers that potential employees completed 10 hours of OSHA-authorized training on critical workplace safety topics. Entry-level workers with this credential have industry-specific knowledge and skills that help prevent injuries and keep workplaces safe and productive” (OSHA Education Center).

Mr. Chris Jenkins has been the instructor in Table Rock Career Center’s Marine Technology Program since 2016. He is a graduate of Forsyth High School and excelled in the Small Engine/Marine Technology Program at Gibson Technical Center where he placed first in the State SkillsUSA competition based on the skills he learned in his program of study. Mr. Jenkins brings over 30 years of experience as a marine technician and business owner before he began pursuing a career in education.

Focus on RS Works Interns

Emma Vance (Reeds Spring High School)

Emma, a senior at Reeds Spring, who is gaining experience through internships in both the legal and veterinary fields. She interns for both the Law Office of the Ozarks and Kimberling Animal Hospital. She is excited about to be a part of the RS Works Internship Program. "I know that hands-on experience in the workplace will help me transition to college and potential future employment." Emma is also excited about building relationships with clients and customers through her internships.

Focus on RS Works Interns

Shelby Evans (Reeds Spring High School)

Shelby, a senior at Reeds Spring, is interning at Ascend Dental in Branson West. She shares, "I've always been interested in the medical field, but I didn't want to work in a hospital environment. Dentistry seemed like the perfect fit, allowing me to assist and protect patients' oral health." She is looking forward to exploring the dental field and shares, "I wanted to participate in the RS Works Internship Program so that I could make a decision on my future career choice and see if dentistry is the fit for me!"