Brittany Simmons - Academics and Life Skills - Penobscot Job Corps Center

Brittany Simmons

brings 20 years of experience and passion working with children, teens and adults to her role as an Academic High School Diploma and High School Equivalency Certification instructor at Penobscot Job Corps Center. She previously worked for Grafton and Shriver Job Corps Centers in Massachusetts before moving to Maine in 2019. Brittany earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maine in 2016 and a license to teach history to grades 8–12 by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Erika Harward - Career Journey - Ottumwa Job Corps Center

Erika Harward

is a full time CPP instructor with Ottumwa Job Corps Center. She has experience working with students with special behavioral needs. Erika enjoys working with all incoming students and helping them set goals and make plans to achieve them. Being the CPP instructor allows Erika to meet each student who comes to the center and, hopefully, make a difference in their life.

Ryan Goodvin - Facilities Maintenance - Ottumwa Job Corps Center

Ryan Goodvin

is the Facilities Maintenance instructor with Ottumwa Job Corps Center. Ryan previously completed a five-year apprenticeship program for welding and plumbing and has been in the construction industry for at least 12 years. Ryan is a certified welding supervisor and runs his own construction business. He also is finishing up his certification to be a National Center for Construction Education and Research instructor. Ryan enjoys the attitude and environment at Job Corps, seeing each student come in at different levels and all equally excelling in the FACMAN program.

Dan Whelan - Network Cable Installation - Ottumwa Job Corps Center

Dan Whelan

has been the Network Cable Installation instructor with Ottumwa Job Corps Center since February 2020. Prior to beginning his journey with Job Corps, Dan spent 30 years in the telecommunications industry, in roles ranging from service technician to field operations manager. He enjoys both learning and teaching and gets a great deal of fulfillment from mentoring young people to be successful in the modern workforce.  

Rhodolf Tengeng - Academics and Life Skills - Ottumwa Job Corps Center

Rhodolf Tengeng

is an Academic High School instructor at Ottumwa Job Corps Center. Before joining the Ottumwa Job Corps team, Rhodolf previously served as a crisis counselor. When he isn’t teaching Job Corps students, he works with the Ottumwa Community School District’s Migrant Education and STEM programs. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business education and a master’s degree in business administration. Rhodolf loves learning from students and their variety of cultural experiences and backgrounds.

Joyce Vazquez - Academics and Life Skills - Ottumwa Job Corps Center

Joyce Vazquez

is the High School Diploma instructor at Ottumwa Job Corps Center. She graduated from Job Corps in the late 1980s then pursued higher education in education, history, social science and special education. Joyce has worked at Job Corps for six years and loves seeing struggling students finally understand concepts and find success. 

Bruce Huebener - Academics and Life Skills - Ottumwa Job Corps Center

Bruce Huebener

serves as the Ottumwa Job Corps Center disability coordinator. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has worked in the social services field for almost 40 years. Bruce previously served as a case manager for 12 years and worked with mentally and intellectually disabled individuals. He enjoys working with trainees and helping them improve their lives with his extensive experience.

Monica Shepherd - Certified Nurse Assistant - Ottumwa Job Corps Center

Monica Shepherd, R.N.

is a full-time Certified Nurse Assistant instructor at Ottumwa Job Corps Center. She has worked in the health care industry for nearly 25 years and held many different roles, including her previous role as registered nurse for the last 10 years. All her past experiences make Monica a great CNA instructor as she can relate her past experiences as a student, employee and patient to nearly every chapter that is covered in the CNA curriculum. Monica’s main goal is to teach you not only how to be a great CNA, but also to acquire the knowledge, skills and confidence to be successful.

Amy Harris - Medical Administrative Assistant - Ottumwa Job Corps Center

Amy Harris

serves as the Medical Administrative Assistant instructor at Ottumwa Job Corps Center. She is a Job Corps 2006 graduate. After graduating, Amy obtained her bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in adult education. Amy’s education allows her to successfully teach professional communication and interactions in the workplace. As a former Job Corps student, she can relate to where her students come from and understand the adjustment from home to center life.