Student Services Staff
Mary Keen
Principal/Director of Career and Technical Education, SCSD
A.A. Florida Gateway College
B.S. Florida State University
M.AG University of Florida
Ed.S Nova Southeastern University
Contact: (386) 647 - 4200
Julie Ulmer
Coordinator of Career & Technical Education Student & Community Affairs
B.A. University of Florida
Contact: (386) 647 - 4231
Dick Calvitt
Financial Aid Coordinator
B.S. University of Florida
Contact: (386) 647 - 4214
Laura Hernandez
Administrative Assistant
Student Services
Contact: (386) 647 - 4210
Jeff Lee
Career Pathways Coordinator
B.S. University of Florida
Contact: (386) 647 - 4211
Tommy Miller
Bookkeeper
B.A. St. Leo University
Contact: (386) 647 - 4201
Dana Tidwell
Administrative Assistant
Contact: (386) 647 - 4200
Richard Allen
School Community Liaison
Contact: (386) 647 - 4219
TJ Vickers
Community Relations Specialist
B.S. University of Florida
Contact: (386) 647 - 4208
Instructors
Traci West, Surgical Technology Instructor
Originally from Valdosta, Georgia, West attended Valdosta Technical College and graduated in 2009 with her national certification in Surgical Technology (CST). West has experience in all different surgical settings including hospital operating rooms, surgery centers, and in-office surgical suites. West began instructing the Surgical Technology Program at RIVEROAK in May 2013.
Office: (386) 647-4221
Katie Miller, Pharmacy Technician Instructor
Miller is a registered and nationally certified Pharmacy Technician. She worked as a Pharmacy Technician for 12 years while also pursuing a degree in education. Miller graduated Summa Cum Laude from Saint Leo University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She began instructing the Pharmacy Technician Program at RIVEROAK Technical College in 2013. So far, this program has a pass rate of 100% on the national certification exam.
Office: (386) 647-4209
Susan Morgan, Patient Care Technician Instructor
Traci Thompson, LPN Instructor
Born and raised in Suwannee County, Thompson attended the PCT Program at Suwannee Hamilton Technical Center (Currently RIVEROAK) in 2006. Thompson then went to North Florida Community College and graduated in 2009 as a Registered Nurse. In 2012, Thompson graduated from Jacksonville University with her B.S. degree in Nursing. She has worked in a hospital setting to include Medical/Surgical, Cardiac, and Surgery department. Thompson began teaching at RIVEROAK in 2014.
Office: (386) 647-4216
Jenny Hurst, LPN Director
Office: (386) 647-4233
Theresa Gill, Business Education Instructor
Gill graduated with honors from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management. Gill worked for 20 years in the hospitality industry as Food and Beverage Director and General Manager. Served 22 years in the United States Navy. While on active duty, she was stationed at Naval Air Station Barber’s Point Hawaii providing administrative support for aircraft and helicopter squadrons.
Office: (386) 647-4224
Michael Bresk
Michael Bresk is a native of south Florida. Bresk graduated from Mercer University. Bresk is certified by the state of Florida in Math and Technology. Bresk began his teaching career at Suwannee High School where he taught for over a decade. He regularly attends and delivers STEM lessons for NASA. Bresk is the sponsor of the robotics program.
Office: (386) 647-4207
Pam Poole, M.ED/Business Instructor
Poole completed business classes at Suwannee Hamilton Area Vocational Technical (currently RIVEROAK Technical College). Poole went on to Valdosta State College (currently Valdosta State University) to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Business Education. In 2002, she obtained a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Learning from Nova Southeastern University online.
Office: (386) 647-4218
Ginny Crews, Lead CDA Teacher, My Play School
Born in Alabama, Crews moved to Florida in the 1970's. Crews graduated with a degree in nursing and worked in the nursing field for thirty years. Crews received her CDA from SV4C's and her A.S. Degree in Early Child Care Education from Ashworth College. She has been with My Play-School for nine years, eight of them as Lead CDA Teacher. RTC has a wonderful Educational Lab where adult and high school students get to learn by working with our 3 and 4 year old children.
Office: (386) 647-4229
Kim Thomas, Early Childhood Education Instructor
After graduating from Suwannee High School, Thomas attended NFJC where she obtained an A.A. degree. Thomas continued her education at Florida State University where she received her B.S. in Elementary Education. After graduating from Florida State University, she started teaching Child Care Supervision (Early Childhood Education) in October 1990 at Suwannee Hamilton Area Vocational Technical and Adult Center (Currently RIVEROAK Technical College).
Office: (386) 647-4225
Ashley Kirby, Early Childhood Education, My Play-School VPK
Kirby graduated from Suwannee High School in 1997. Kirby went on to receive her AA in Early Childhood from North Florida Community College in 2002. Kirby is currently enrolled at Florida A&M University to finish up her bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies. This is her 13th year teaching in My Play-School & VPK at RIVEROAK Technical College.
Office: (386) 647-4226
Marissa Lane, Lead VPK Teacher, My Play School VPK
Born and raised in Live Oak, Florida, Lane attended Suwanee High School and Suwannee Hamilton Technical Center (Currently RIVEROAK Technical College) where she received her CDAE certification in Early Childhood Education. Lane then attended Lake City Community College where she graduated with an A.A. in Elementary Education. In 2014, Lane began to teach at Suwannee Hamilton Technical Center (currently RIVEROAK) and has taught in VPK and My Play School.
Office: (386) 647-4226
Jeremy Ulmer, Electrical Instructor
Jeremy Ulmer graduated from Del Oro High School in Loomis, California. He graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Sociology. Ulmer is a commercial and residential building contractor and inspector. He combines his experience as a contractor and Suwannee County small business owner with his knowledge of working with kids through years of coaching to create a dynamic program at RIVEROAK Technical College.
Office: (386) 647-4217
Rob Makela, Building Construction Technology Instructor
Makela joined the Naval Submarine Service and served 4 years as an Interior Communications Electrician. Makela graduated from Hillsborough Community College in Tampa with an A.A. in Liberal Arts. He meets all the requirements for a local Teaching Certificate in Building Construction Technology. In 2001, Makela began teaching the Building Construction Program (BCT) at Suwannee High School and in 2003 moved the program to RIVEROAK Technical College.
Office: (386) 647-4215
Mona Kelley, Culinary Arts Instructor
Kelley started her own catering business around 2007. Three years into the business, Kelley opened up a restaurant in Quitman, Georgia. Kelley has been in management and the food industry for more than 12 years. Kelley has attended Johnson and Wales University for three years and University of West Florida for her teaching certificate.
Office: (386) 647-4204
Catherine Maxwell, Cosmetology Instructor
Originally from the Northern Kentucky area, Maxwell graduated from The School of Hair Design and received her Cosmetology license in 1988. Maxwell owned and operated a salon in Warsaw Kentucky for 17 years before relocating to North Florida. Maxwell received a part time teaching position at RIVEROAK Technical College. In 2013 she was hired full time and received her CTE teaching education through St. Petersburg College.
Office: (386) 647-4205
Patricia Sullivan, Cosmetology Instructor
Sullivan has lived in Live Oak since 1962. She went to school in Suwannee County and continued my education at Valdosta State, Lake City Community College, and classes at University of West Florida and St. Petersburg College. Sullivan went to college to double major in Physical Ed and Art Instruction. She has been the Cosmetology instructor for 6 years. Sullivan also operates a salon in the downtown area.
Office: (386) 647-4205
Derwin Bass, Masonry Instructor
Bass graduated from Suwannee High School and attended University of West Florida for his Teaching Certificate in Masonry Technology. Bass has worked as the Masonry Instructor since 1997 and has been honored with Teacher of Year in 2000, and 2012, Masonry Pre Apprentice Instructor of the Year 2013. Many of his students in Masonry have competed in the Skills USA program and won many first place awards at various Regional, State, and National levels.
Office: (386) 647-4236
Joe Ragan, Automotive Repair Instructor
Ragan is an ASE Master Certified Automotive collision repair and paint-refinishing Instructor in all 5 areas. Ragan is also certified in steering and suspension. Ragan has 34 years experience in the field and has been the instructor since 2002. RIVEROAK Technical College Automotive Collision Technology Technician program is an NATEF Master Certified Program (National Automotive Technicians Educational Foundation) that uses the I-CAR curriculum.
Office: (386) 647-4220