Franklin Technology Center - Adult Education

Penny Williams - Assistant Director of Adult Education

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 417-680-0004 Ext. 2061

Education: Labette Community College- AAS Business and Industrial Supervision

Pittsburg State University- BS in Vocational Technical Education

MSU/MSSU- MA in Teaching

Penny Williams began her career at Franklin Technology Center as an adjunct adult computer teacher in 1997, with an undergraduate degree from Pittsburg State University in Vocational Education.  In 1998 she was promoted to coordinator of FTC's Adult Business and Computer Technology Program.  During that time, she continued her professional education and obtained a Master's Degree from MSU/MSSU.  After her degree completion and several years in the classroom, in 2011 she moved into recruitment and coordination of FTC's Adult Trade and Technology programs.  After working in that capacity for seven years, in 2018 she accepted the position as FTC's Assistant Director of Post-Secondary Education and is still in that position. 

Lori Clouse - Financial Aid Coordinator

Experience: Lori has 8 years of experience as a Dental Assistant, 12 years of experience as an Ophthalmic Assistant, 13 years of experience as a Staff Accountant, and 7 years of experience as a Financial Aid Coordinator. 

Lori Clouse serves as the Franklin Technology Center's Financial Aid Coordinator.  She has served as FTC's Staff Accountant for 13 years and recently moved into the Financial Aid Coordinator's position.  Lori's mission is to assist students in pursuing their educational goals and employ ability by helping the student and their families seek, obtain, and make the best use of all financial resources available to them. 

In Lori's spare time she enjoys time with her family as well as crafting and reading.

Nikki Medley - Effectiveness Coordinator

Experience: Nikki has over 17 years of administrative and management experience.

Nikki started with Franklin Technology Center in March 2020 as the Effectiveness Coordinator. 

She has been married for 17 years and has 2 children.  In her spare time she enjoys volunteering, singing, traveling, and spending time with her family and 3 fur babies.

Leisa Harris - Medical Programs Coordinator

Education: Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) earned through American Medical Technologist (AMT)

National Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA) earned through National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) earned through American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

Medical Assistant Teacher's Certificate earned through the State of Missouri

Leisa joined Franklin Technology Center in 2001 as an instructor and the Externship Coordinator for the Medical Assistant program.  She has been the Medical Assistant Program Coordinator for the past fifteen years.  In addition to being the coordinator, she is also an instructor for some of the courses.  Her primary areas of teaching are coding, administrative medical procedures, and insurance and billing 

One of Leisa's favorite duties as the program coordinator is meeting with prospective students and informing them about all of the great things FTC has to offer.  One of the most rewarding aspects of her job is hearing from past graduates and learning how Franklin Tech has changed their lives for the better.

Beth Chamness - Evening Medical Assistant Instructor/Phlebotomy Technician Instructor

Education: University of Central Missouri- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with emphasis in Human Resources and Accounting

National Healthcare Association, Inc- Certification as a Phlebotomy Technician

Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College- Associate in Science in Nursing (Pre-BSN)

Beth Chamness accepted the position as Medical Assistant Instructor for the evening program with Franklin Technology Center in September of 2021. She has over thirty years of experience in the business and healthcare field. Some of her experiences include work as a legal secretary, business development coordinator for a major therapy rehabilitation company, income maintenance caseworker for the Department of Social Services, administrative assistant for an Oncology and Dermatology Center, clinical secretary for a major hospital, lab/medical assistant for two major hospitals and a store manager. She brings lots of great experience!

Beth's greatest love is sharing time with her children, three grandsons and one fur baby. Beth enjoys spending time outdoors as much as possible to travel, fish, bike, and hike.

LeAnn Cummins - CNA Program Coordinator/                                                                                                                          Instructor for Medical Assistant and Phlebotomy Technician

Education: LeAnn holds National Certifications in Phlebotomy Technician and Medical Assistant.

LeAnn teaches the daytime Medical Assistant program and is the Coordinator for the CNA program.  Her primary areas of teaching are Anatomy and Physiology, Clinical Procedures, Pharmacology, and Phlebotomy. 

LeAnn enjoys training the students to draw blood, take vitals, and give injections.  When students graduate from the program, she takes pride in knowing her students can perform the duties in the medical field.

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband doing outdoor activities.  She has four children and two grandchildren.

Diana Warden - Dental Assistant Coordinator, Instructor, and Clinical Coordinator

Education: Diana attended Missouri Southern State University and Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO.  She received her teaching certificate from DESE.  Diana became a Certified Dental Assistant from DANB in 2000.  She received her Expanded Functions in Prosthodontics and Direct Restorative from the American Dental Association in 2003.  Diana received her certification to Monitor Internal Conscious Sedation from UMKC School of Dentistry in 2005, and she received her certification to monitor Nitrous Oxide Sedation from Steven Skoch D.D.S. at the Maxillofacial Surgery Center in Fayetteville, AR in 2006.  She received her Registered Dental Assistant Certification from American Medical Technologists in 2007.  She received her certification to monitor Internal Conscious Sedation from DOCS Education in Minneapolis, MN in 2011.  She received her Expanded Functions in Orthodontics from the American Dental Association, and certification in Single Dose Sedation and Nitrous Oxide from DOCS Education in Dallas, TX in 2012.  Her continuing education keeps her current on all phases of new technology in Dentistry.

Diana is a Certified, Registered, and Expanded Functions Dental Assistant.  Her educational experience allows her to treat patients by performing certain procedures for the dentist, just as a physicians' assistant performs certain procedures for the physician.  Diana's education has been tested and approved by the American Dental Association and the Dental Assistants National Board.  She has assisted in general dentistry for over twenty-five years.  Her genuine care for the patient is one of her strong attributes.

Diana has been teaching the Dental Assistant Program at Franklin Technology Center at Missouri Southern State University since 2006, and she is also the Clinical Coordinator of the program.

Katie Bozarth - Practical Nursing Coordinator

Education: Northeastern State University- BSN

Katie Bozarth, RN, has been a nurse for 18 years.  After graduation, Katie served as an ICU nurse for a short amount of time before discovering her love for school nursing.  As a school nurse, she cared for students, families, and staff.  She was also an Instructor for the American Heart Association teaching BLS/first-aid.  She graduated from Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College with her associate degree in nursing and then later graduated with her BSN from Northeastern State University in  Tahlequah, OK.  Katie discovered that she had a passion for teaching while providing instruction to her students and staff.  She serves as the coordinator for the Practical Nursing program and provides instruction to Practical Nursing Students in the practical vocational concept course.  

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, watching her boys participate in various activities, as well as singing, reading, and crafting.

Jodi Stewart - Practical Nursing Instructor/CNA Instructor/CMT Instructor

Education: Fort Scott Community College- ADN

MSSU- BSN

Pittsburg State University- MSN

Jodi Stewart has been a Registered Nurse since 2009.  Her experience in nursing includes Medical/Surgical, Ortho/Neuro, wound care, post-partum, home health and hospice, and most recently being a school nurse.  She discovered her love for teaching early in her nursing career after being asked to precept for nurses in clinical rotations and train new nurses to the facilities she worked. Jodi graduated with her ADN from Fort Scott Community College in 2009, with her BSN from MSSU in 2017, and with her MSN with education emphasis from Pittsburg State University in 2019.  Jodi is the instructor for the Fundamentals/IV Therapy, and Nursing of the Adult Nutrition classes.

Jodi and her husband have seven children between them and she loves spending time with their kids.  They enjoy traveling and exploring new places.  Their family moved to Joplin in 2015 from Southeast Kansas and continue to love it here.  Her hobbies include reading, dancing with the kids, and singing along to the radio.

Amy Price - Practical Nursing Instructor

Education: Pittsburg State University- BSN

Amy Price, RN has been a nurse for 19 years.  Throughout those years she has worked in critical care, pediatric, home health, and school nursing.  Growing up she always knew she would either be a nurse or a teacher. She now has the best of both worlds.  She has always enjoyed learning and is excited to share her love of nursing with her students. She graduated with her BSN from Pittsburg State University and will be instructing pharmacology, maternity, and pediatrics.

Amy has been married for 18 years and has 2 children.  In her spare time she enjoys attending their activities, reading, and traveling.

Amanda Jones - Practical Nursing Instructor

Education: Pittsburg State University- BSN

Amanda is an RN with 9 years of experience.  She started her medical career as a student assistant in the Intensive Care Unit, where she then went on to work as an RN after graduating with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Pittsburg State University.  Amanda then went on to work as a Cardiology RN in a fast-paced cardiology clinic.  While working as a Cardiac Nurse, Amanda was trained to both interrogate and program pacemakers and defibrillators.  Amanda's career as a cardiac nurse is where she discovered her love for teaching others.  Amanda is excited to share her nursing knowledge and teach future nurses. 

She is married and has one daughter and one son.  In Amanda's spare time she enjoys living on a hobby farm, spending time outdoors with her children, and gardening.  Amanda also enjoys photography and is in the process of training her Goldendoodle to become a therapy dog.

Sherry Whiteman - Respiratory Care Program Coordinator

Education: MSSU- Bachelor of Health Science

University of Central Missouri- Master's of Career and Technical Education Leadership

Maryville University- Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration

Sherry Whiteman is a Registered Respiratory Therapist with 14 years of adult critical care experience. She graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science from Missouri Southern State University in 2007, a Master's of Career and Technical Education Leadership from the University of Central Missouri in 2015, and earned an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from Maryville University in 2021. Sherry serves in numerous roles for her state and national societies and also serves on committees in her local community. She joined Franklin Technology Center in 2011 to teach both clinical and didactic courses in Respiratory Care and became Program Coordinator in 2021.

Janice Dunaway - Respiratory Care Clinical Coordinator

Education: California College for Respiratory Therapy-Certified Respiratory Therapist

California College for Health Sciences- Registered Respiratory Therapist

Independence University- Bachelors of Science

Independence University- Masters of Science with emphasis in Community Health

Janice Dunaway is the Clinical Care Coordinator for the Respiratory Care program at Franklin Technology Center at MSSU since 2011.  She has been a BLS CPR Instructor for 21 years.  Her primary responsibilities include classroom and lab instruction as well as managing the day to day operation of the clinical portion of the program.  It is her goal to make sure that all students receive a meaningful clinical experience while they are enrolled into the program.

Mrs. Dunaway has worked in a variety of areas in her field including, Adult Critical Care, Diagnostics, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and Home Care.  She started teaching Respiratory Care at Franklin Technology Center in 1995. She received her Associate and Bachelor Degree from California College for Health Sciences and her Master’s degree from Independence University.  Recently she has co-authored a simulation text for Respiratory Therapists titled “Respiratory Simulation Toolkit” from Health Educator Publications.  Janice lives in Joplin on 50 acres with her husband and enjoys country living, cooking, gardening, and canning.

Alyssa Taylor - Respiratory Care Clinical and Classroom Instructor

Education: FTC/MSSU-Associates Degree in Respiratory Care

MSSU-Bachelor Degree in Health Science

Alyssa Taylor is the Respiratory Care Clinical and Classroom Instructor for Franklin Technology Center. She is a Registered Respiratory Therapist who cares deeply about this profession and the importance of caring for others. Alyssa graduated from the FTC/MSSU Consortium for Respiratory Care Education in 2013, earning an Associate in Respiratory Care and a Bachelor’s of Health Science. Since that time, she has been working at Mercy-Joplin and Freeman West hospitals as a shift coordinator, as well as in the ICU, ER, NICU, and Pediatric areas.  In her spare time, Alyssa enjoys shopping, traveling, crafting, and spending time with her family.  

Shawn Buffalo - Automotive Technology Instructor

Wendy Garrison - Automotive Technology Instructor 

Education: Graduated from the Franklin Technology Automotive Technology program and has been in the Automotive field for over 17 years. 

I have been in the Automotive field since 2005. I am a single parent. In my spare time I enjoy fishing and spending time with my daughter. 

James Stewart - HVAC Instructor

Education: Metropolitan Community Colleges-Associate of Applied Sciences HVACR

MSSU-Bachelor of General Studies, Minors in Management and Entrepreneurship

Jim has over 30 years of experience in the Heating and Cooling industry. He is a general contractor in Jasper, Missouri where he lives with his wife Ruth and a border collie named Aurora. He likes to garden in his spare time and is an amateur musician. 

Chuck Sexson - Welding Instructor

Experience: Chuck has worked for thirty-eight years at Thermal Engineering International and has over twenty-five welding certificates.

Chuck has lots of practical experience in the welding industry. Chuck is a Certified Welding Educator and Certified Welding Inspector through the American Welding Society. He has taught at Franklin Tech for twenty-five years while still working full-time at TEI.

Chuck and his wife have raised two sons in the rural Diamond area. When he has spare time, he enjoys riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and going to NASCAR races.

Don Turnbull - Welding Instructor

Education: Graduated from Franklin Technology Center Welding program in 2006.

Don has worked as a field welder before returning and working at Tank Connection and Thermal Engineering. Don is also the Joplin High School Welding Instructor at Franklin Tech.