Kim Howard has been named Professional of the Year for 2005 by the Oklahoma Association for Persons in Supported Employment at special ceremonies in Tulsa , March 2nd at the Marriott Hotel. Howard is Program Coordinator for the Supported Employment Program at Central Technology Centers in Sapulpa and Drumright.
Howard's nomination by Central Tech administrators and his staff tells that Howard embodies a balance of work experience, academic excellence, community involvement and leadership. His skills, talents, and abilities have not only provided opportunities for personal growth, but have facilitated the development of co-workers, consumers, and community.
He served as a Case Manager Intern at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield in the summer of 1991. The experience assisted him in enhancing his organizational skills, problem resolution intervention techniques, and ability to perform intake screenings. He was also afforded the opportunity to respond to public inquiries and participate in orientation programs.
As an Employment Training Specialist with Central Tech Supported Employment, Kim experienced the front-line processes and procedures of supported employment. Job development, job market screening, consumer interviews and evaluations as well as job analysis and training skills were honed as he worked as a hands-on ETS.
Kim taught as a Service Careers Instructor at Central Tech (CT), Drumright Campus, for seven years. It was here that he sharpened his skills in developing and delivering a variety of vocational skills and competencies training for secondary students and adults. Some of the classes effectively instructed were in: building and ground maintenance, retail grocery, automotive detailing and food service.
During his tenure as PC, Kim has marketed supported employment, monitored and maintained program budgets and tracked department expenditures. He is responsible for managing contracts and ensuring compliance with DRS and DDSD rules and guidelines. Under his guidance, the CT Supported Employment has evolved into a more productive, viable, self-sustaining, technically advanced department under the auspices of Central Technology Center Sapulpa and Drumright.
Academically, Kim holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southwest Missouri State University . His major was Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice. He attained his Masters Degree in Trade and Industrial Education from Oklahoma State University (OSU) in the spring of 1999. He has continued his pursuit of academic excellence and has completed all course work for a Doctoral degree in Occupational Adult Education from OSU. He anticipates graduation in the spring of 2006. |
