
Kathy Prather
Superintendent/CEO
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Kathy Prather became the Superintendent/CEO of Pima JTED on July 1, 2018, one year after being appointed as the district’s Deputy Superintendent. Her career in education spans 29 years and multiple locations throughout Arizona, including Rough Rock High School, Prescott College, Northwest Pioneer College, Mohave Community College, Mohave High School, Colorado River Union High School District, Tucson Unified School District, and Sunnyside Unified School District.
She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration-Management, a Master of Arts Degree in Vocational Technical Education, and multiple certifications from the Arizona Department of Education including Superintendent, Principal and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher.
Each year, thousands of students in the CTE programs she oversees receive nationally-recognized industry certifications, licenses and credentials as well as dual college credit from Pima Community College and/or concurrent tuition credit from the University of Arizona. The innovative programs she has developed over the years have captured the attention of local, national and international media including CNN Money in 2016, Korean News Network in 2015, Manufacturing News in 2016, Arizona Public Media-PBS in 2014, District Administrator Magazine in January 2017, Mrs. Green’s World on iHeart Radio and many local network news broadcast features.
The Association for Career and Technical Education of Arizona (ACTEAZ) recognized Kathy’s contributions to CTE with their 2011 Administrator of the Year Award, and again with the 2016 ACTEAZ Lifetime Achievement Award. Kathy served on the Board of the National Council of Local Administrators (NCLA) from 2008-2015 as well as the Executive Board of the Arizona Council of Occupational and Vocational Administrators (ACOVA) from 2006-2014. Kathy currently serves as a member of the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, United Way Cradle to Career Leadership Committee, Metropolitan Education Commission, Pima County Workforce Investment Board, Banner University Medicine Community Advisory Committee and Tucson’s Leading Women, and has previously served on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity Tucson.
Kathy was instrumental in the formation of the Pima County Joint Technological Education District #11, which is now known as Pima JTED. Prior to the JTED Proposition 400 item being listed on the ballot in 2006, she led community forums and made multiple presentations to business, industry and local school district governing boards.
Today, Kathy remains committed to forging mutually beneficial partnerships with business, community, and educational leaders to strengthen Pima JTED’s programs which provide local industry with the skilled workforce they need to thrive. She is actively transforming the culture at Pima JTED to the Growth Mindset to elevate students’ experiences, and employee job satisfaction. One of her top priorities is continuing to develop students’ professional skills so that they are ready to succeed in both college and careers.
Pima JTED continues to bring over $30 million dollars annually in supplemental funding for satellite and central CTE programs in Pima, Santa Cruz and Pinal Counties.
A native Tucsonan, Kathy lives with her husband Brad Prather, a retired teacher. They have two grown children, and one granddaughter.
Directory
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Abel Vazquez
Director of Information Technology -
Alissa Morris
ECE Instructor/Program Manager -
Amanda Simeza
Director of Student ServicesHablo Español -
Amy Davidson
Counselor -
Ann Marie Lee, RN
Licensed Nursing Assistant Instructor & Program Coordinator -
Ashley Lown, NBCT
Potoff Private Philanthropy Endowed Chair, Engagement & Placement Coordinator -
Audra Kelley, CVT
Veterinary Science Instructor -
Beth Francis, RN, MS
Health Care Professions Manager -
Betty Waddell
Cosmetology Instructor -
Betzaida Heras
Medical Assistant InstructorHablo Español -
Brenna Simpson, CVT
Veterinary Science Instructor -
Brian Danter
Fire Services Instructor -
Brian Ellison
Business Start-Up/Entrepreneurship Instructor -
Brian King
Culinary Arts Instructor -
Brice Menaugh
Principal -
Carla Echavarri
Health Care Foundations Instructor -
Christina Suarez
Executive Assistant/Office Manager -
Conny White PT, ScD
Physical Therapy Technician Instructor -
Corinne Angello
Culinary Arts and Pastry Instructor -
Curt Bertelsen
Director of Professional Development -
David Fuller
3D Animation Game Design Instructor -
David Richter
EMT Instructor -
Debra Amos
Cosmetology Instructor -
Desiree Wible
Cosmetology Instructor -
Dolores Salars
Project SEARCH Instructor -
Elina Mendibles
Medical Assistant Instructor -
Greg D’Anna
Director of Public Relations -
Jacob Earp
Cybersecurity & Artificial Intelligence Instructor -
Jason Pototsky
Cybersecurity & Artificial Intelligence Instructor -
Jennifer Al Zaidi
Cosmetology Instructor -
Jennifer Atteberry-Pierpont
Director of Student Pathways -
Joanna Grijalva, CVT
Veterinary Science Program Manager -
John Gonzales
Principal -
Joyce Wall, RN
LNA/CH Instructor & Program Coordinator -
Juan Rojas
PrincipalHablo Español -
Kate Burnham
Pharmacy Technician Instructor -
Kathleen Asman
Cosmetology Program Manager -
Kathy Prather
Superintendent/CEO -
Ken James
Air Transportation/FAA Drone Operator Instructor -
Kyle Gordon
Industrial Program Specialist/ Engineering Instructor -
Lisa Best
Licensed Nursing Assistant Instructor -
Maeve Sielawa
Social & Mental Health Technician Instructor -
Merrill Kemp-Wilcox
Director of Research & Development -
Michael Bates
Heavy Equipment Operations Instructor -
Michael Powell
Culinary Arts Instructor -
Michele Shoemaker
Cosmetology Instructor -
Michelle Barcanic
Enrollment Specialist Counselor -
Mike Srsen
Graphic Design InstructorHablo Español -
Patti Greenleaf
Chief Academic Officer -
Peter Chen
Health Care Foundations Instructor -
Quinn Minor
Engineering Instructor -
Raul Romero
Medical Assistant Instructor -
Robb Fountain
Law, Public Safety & Security Instructor -
Robert Cantrell, M.D.
Health Care Foundations Instructor -
Rochelle Leitschuck, RN, MSN
Licensed Nursing Assistant Instructor -
Scott Sutherland
Cosmetology Instructor -
Scott Weiler
Robotics & Manufacturing Instructor -
Selena Ahrens
Cosmetology Instructor -
Stacey Hackett
Counselor -
Tanisha Tatum
Counselor -
Terri Amonson
Assistant Principal -
Thomas Bogart
Chief Financial Officer -
Tyler Oberlin
Project SEARCH Instructor -
William “Ed” Rothlisberger
CounselorHablo Español -
Xochitl Sierra
Principal