MATC MONTHLY SPOTLIGHT / From the desk of Mike Eubank
The Reality Fair at Mid-America Technology Center, hosted by Growing Oaks Federal Credit Union, provided students with a hands-on simulation designed to build real-world financial skills. During the event, students were paired with a partner, assigned a career and salary, and tasked with managing a household budget.
As they visited booths representing everyday expenses, they made practical decisions about spending, saving, and prioritizing needs versus wants. To reflect real-life unpredictability, students also encountered unexpected financial situations through the “Wheel of Reality,” which introduced both gains and added expenses. With guidance from counselors, students worked to stay within budget and reflect on their financial choices. Mid-America Technology Center extends sincere appreciation to the sponsors who made this experience possible: Pamela Greening and Growing Oaks Federal Credit Union; Growing Oaks Association; Goldsby Sonic; Hwy 9 Sonic; Cornerstone Foundation; CVR Energy, Reality Experts; Branch Auctions; OEC Electric & Fiber; Noble Hardware; B&H Construction LLC; Evolution Insurance Partners – Paul Moore; Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance – Darrell J. David; and NFA Wealth Management – Delaney McCoy.
Through partnerships like these, Mid-America Technology Center continues to provide students with meaningful, real-world learning experiences that build confidence and prepare them for long-term success.
MATC Superintendent
REC
Rural Electric Cooperative (REC), headquartered in Lindsay, Oklahoma, is a member-owned electric distribution utility that provides reliable power service to residential, agricultural, and commercial customers across rural areas of south-central Oklahoma. As an electric cooperative, REC operates under a community focused model that emphasizes dependable service, local accountability, and infrastructure support for the communities it serves. The organization is responsible for the operation and maintenance of electrical distribution systems, including power lines, substations, and related infrastructure that deliver electricity throughout its service territory, while supporting ongoing system maintenance, outage response, and infrastructure improvements necessary to maintain reliable electrical service across the region. REC and Mid-America Technology Center partner together on multiple levels. REC has provided Work Based Learning opportunities, advisory board members, and support for many programs in the form supplies or equipment donations. REC also utilizes the customized training opportunities offered in MATC’s PRO department to upskill employees as needed.
MATC Spotlight
Employee Spotlight — Mr. Alvarado
Mr. Alvarado is our Multimedia Instructor at Mid-America Technology Center. He leads a two-year program that prepares students for careers in digital media, photography, video production, podcasting, editing, marketing, and visual storytelling. With more than 15 years of experience, he brings a strong background into the classroom, giving students a real world understanding of what it takes to work in today’s creative industries.
He is deeply committed to helping students find their voice, build confidence, and develop professional skills that go beyond the software. His classroom emphasizes creativity through powerful storytelling, communication, problem solving, and teamwork. Students in his program complete real-world projects such as promotional videos, podcasts, photography sessions, marketing assets, interviews, and community focused media projects.
He consistently pushes students to think like professionals, work with purpose, and understand the power of storytelling in every form of media. His dedication to student growth makes a lasting impact on his students and the MATC community. We are proud to have Mr. Alvarado on our Mid-America Technology Center team!
Board Update
April’s board meeting included adding several new names and positions to the MATC team. We are excited to welcome new board member Bruce Bridwell, new Business Office teacher Elizabeth Amaya, new Cyber Security teacher Dominick Jackson, new Teacher Assistant Jeff Lefler, new SIM Instructor/School Nurse Sarah Raney, new Admissions Coordinator Kim Holden, new Teacher Assistant Allison Grace, and new Assistant Superintendent Amy Cornforth.
The board also approved the bids and contract with Goldsby Construction for construction of a new Diesel Technology and Fleet Maintenance building. Assistant Superintendent Dallas Krout gave a presentation on the formula to calculate Out of District Tuition. Some data points that Mr. Krout shared included: 75% of MATC’s funding is local ad valorem.
Mid-America’s Local Cost per FTE (Full Time Equivalent) is $7,491 which ranks seventh lowest among the 29 tech centers. Mid-America served 1,129 Regular Program FTE Students, which ranks 2nd among single campus career tech centers. The Out of District Tuition rate provided by the State Department of Career and Technical Education for FY27 is $20,313.
Mike Eubank
Mr. Alvarado
