Administration and Staff

Our team of educators is thrilled to be a part of this exciting first chapter of your student’s career. We truly care about the students in our charge and are here to help them reach their goals every step of the way.

Administration

Brock Benson
Executive Director
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About Brock Benson

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James Young
CTC Director
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About James Young

Mr. Young was the owner/operator of a collision repair business for 20 years before entering education. He then became a collision repair instructor for eight years before becoming the director at Seneca Highlands CTC in 2012.

“People often applaud vocational education, in theory, provided it is “for someone else’s kids.” Those kids are most kids, and a false promise of college success does more harm than good. We owe them our focus and the best pathway that we can construct—one that carries them as close as possible to the destination their college-bound peers will reach and sometimes beyond.” - Oren Cass

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Katie Dynda
Administrative Assistant
CTC Graduate
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About Katie Dynda

Mrs. Dynda began her career at the CTC during high school, and she graduated from the advanced office practice program. In 2002, she began her life-long career with the Seneca Highlands IU9. In 2017, she began her recent position at the CTC. She is responsible for collaborating with the ten sending districts, students, mandatory reporting, and supporting the success of the CTC students.

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” - Benjamin Franklin

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Risha Johnson
SPED Facilitator and Cooperative Education Director
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About Risha Johnson

Mrs. Johnson was a former French teacher before entering Career and Technical Education as the special education facilitator and co-op/capstone coordinator. She has been teaching students for over 30 years with 27 years at the SHCTC. She has been preparing co-op students to "bridge the gap" between school and work, placing students in diversified occupations in the 11 participating districts, or in the case of SHCTC students, in trade areas directly related to their CTC programs of study. She is the liaison between the CTC and the sending districts' guidance, teaching, and administrative staff. She also attends IEP meetings as the CTC representative and serves as a member on several professional organizations.

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” — Thomas Edison

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Instructors

Lana Barth
Health Assistant
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About Lana Barth

Mrs. Barth has been a registered nurse in the state of Pennsylvania since 1998. She obtained her associate of science in nursing from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Pennsylvania in 1998. In 2013, Mrs. Barth obtained her ANCC certification in psychiatric/mental health nursing in 2012. She obtained her bachelor of science in nursing in 2014 from Kaplan University. She earned her master's of science in nursing education degree from Purdue University in 2019. Currently, Mrs. Barth is a student at Penn State University pursuing further studies in vocational education.

Mrs. Barth has worked in various fields of nursing since 1998. These experiences include long-term care nursing, acute-care nursing, and administrative nursing. Mrs. Barth's teaching experience has included instructor of the Pennsylvania nurse aide training and competency evaluation program for long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania. She also began teaching the health assistance program at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center in 2017. Much of her nursing career has focused on aspects of geriatrics, patient, and family education in the areas of chronic care management of COPD, CHF, diabetes, dementia, and mental health.

In her spare time Mrs. Barth enjoys horseback riding, guitar, walking, volunteering, and family. She is an active volunteer with the 4-H program in Mckean County. This program assists youth to develop skills in personal management such as communication and civic responsibility. It also concentrates learning in farming and animal management.

“Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” —Dalai Lama

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John Bishel
Engineering Technology
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About John Bishel

Mr. Bishel begins his 17th year in education, following a 20-year career as a mechanical engineer. He is entering his fifth year instructing students in the CTC’s engineering technology program. Mr. Bishel previously taught physics and STEM. He prepares students for entry-level positions as machinists, CNC operators, industrial machinery mechanics, electrical equipment assemblers, inspectors and testers, or post-secondary education through instruction and projects. His students enjoy CAD, 3D modeling, electronics, machining, engineering design, pneumatics, hydraulics, and robotics.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” - Dr. Seuss
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Brent Bryant
Networking Systems
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About Brent Bryant

Mr. Bryant has 24+ years in education at the middle, secondary, and post-secondary levels. He has been teaching at the CTC since 2017, preparing students for entry-level (and above) positions as PC repair technicians, network operations center technicians, and/or further post-secondary training. His students enjoy exploring PC and networks: hardware, software, security, troubleshooting, and programming.

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot." -Michael Altshuler

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Paul Farmelo
Culinary Arts
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About Paul Farmelo

Mr. Farmelo is a seasoned chef with 45 years of experience with gastronomic practices from across the U.S.A and Frankfurt, Germany. He also owned and operated a successful restaurant in Eldred, Pennsylvania for ten years. Mr. Farmelo’s program focuses on high-end cuisine from around the world and has done so since 2008 at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center. Students are engaged as junior culinarians preparing meals, performing dining room services, learning sanitation procedures, and developing basic baking skills. The culinary students are busy preparing and serving public and private events almost daily.

“Cooking with kids is not just about ingredients, recipes, and cooking. It’s about harnessing imagination, empowerment, and creativity.” – Guy Fieri
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Michael Les
Welding
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About Michael Les

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Timothy McCommons
Heavy Equipment Maintenance
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About Timothy McCommons

Tim graduated from the Butler County Vo Tech Heavy Equipment Repair Program. He then went on to obtain an associate in business from Eastern Gateway Community College. Tim started his career working for JL & Re Kaltenbaugh Excavating, running and repairing equipment for ten years. He then spent four years in a corvette restoration shop. For the past 15 years, he has worked as a lead technician running school bus shops. Tim is excited to start his teaching career at the Seneca Highlands CTC.

A few of his hobbies are playing softball and leading youth groups. His biggest goal is to bring a smile to the next generation and help brighten the future.

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Blaine Miller
Building Construction Occupations
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About Blaine Miller

Mr. Miller has been teaching here at Seneca Highlands CTC since 2014 in the building construction occupations program and has been in the building trades his entire life. Starting after graduation, he went directly into the workforce with his father and two brothers then worked for 15 years for Luciano Builders before coming to the CTC. Students get hands-on instruction on carpentry, electrical, masonry, etc. Students, either independently or with a group, actively work on projects such as a modular home being built in the shop, dog houses, as well as many exercises with electrical, plumbing, and masonry skill projects.  Students get basic skills in these areas and could have the ability to go to work in any of these trades. Students also will earn a nationally recognized certificate, OSHA-10. This is a lifelong certification that many companies require.

“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” - Abilgail Adams

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Kim Mooney
Early Childhood Education
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About Kim Mooney

Mrs. Kim Mooney has taught for 33 years. She formerly taught at St. Bernard's Elementary/Middle School and served 12 years as the principal. In 2017, she started at the Career and Technical Center in the newly formed early childhood education program. She serves as a CASA in McKean County, belongs to Delta Kappa Gamma, Zonta Club of Bradford, and is on her church's finance council and Pastoral Planning Committee. She is a certified gifted teacher and an avid Buffalo Bills fan!

"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Michael Russell
Automotive Mechanics
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About Michael Russell

Mr. Russell has 20 years experience instructing at the CTC in the automotive trades. He has been preparing his students for entry-level positions in all fields of the automotive industry. These positions include, but are not limited to, an automotive service technician, automotive parts sales person, vehicle maintenance technician, auto-body specialist, and many other related occupations. He has 35 years experience in the automotive and heavy trucks industries.

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." - B.B. King

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Eric Witoshynsky
Homeland Security
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About Eric Witoshynsky

Mr. Witoshynsky was raised in Queens, NY and at 17 years old enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He returned home to Queens, and in 1988 entered the NYC Emergency Medical Service where he worked as an Emergency Medical Technician in the Bronx and Queens area. In 1990 he was hired as a NYC Transit Police Officer. After graduating from the NYPD academy, he worked in various assignments that included patrol, ceremonial unit, and the department’s ambulance unit. In 1995, after the merger of the Transit police with the NYPD, he transferred to the traffic division. In 2000 he was accepted to the highway patrol where he was a first responder to the 911 attacks. He was assigned to the recovery efforts due to his past emergency medical background. He was subsequently promoted to detective investigator in 2006 and retired from the NYPD in 2008. Mr. Witoshynsky enlisted in the US Navy Reserves in 2002 and has risen to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. He has deployed eight times with the Navy Reserve and has held multiple positions achieving numerous qualifications in law enforcement, Anti-Terrorism, weapons, and tactics training both shipboard and land based. He is a graduate of the US Navy’s Senior Enlisted Academy along with numerous other schools, earning multiple instructor certifications. He will be retiring from the Navy Reserves in November 2024. Mr. Witoshynsky was hired in October 2023 as the Seneca Highlands CTC as the Homeland Security Instructor.

"Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you." - Thomas Jefferson

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Support Staff

Debbie Bird
Instructional Aide
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About Debbie Bird

Working as a paraeducator at the CTC, Ms. Bird has worked with students in the technical programs since 2008. She has been driving school buses for 25 years, working one-to-one with students, paraeducators, and now substitute teaching. She works in all ten programs supporting and guiding students in daily tasks.

“Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new.” - Og Mandino

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Katie Cappello
Supplemental Learning
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About Katie Cappello

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Lisa Eaton
Instructional Aide
CTC Graduate
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About Lisa Eaton

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Tony Edgell
Counselor
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About Tony Edgell

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Candi Hand
State Inspection
CTC Graduate
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About Candi Hand

Ms. Hand attended the CTC during high school and graduated from the advanced office practice program. In 2008, she became office manager of the Potter County Education Council (PCEC) at their Port Allegany location. In 2010, the PCEC Port Allegany office was moved to the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center where she assumed the responsibility of scheduling and coordinating adult education courses. In her role as test administrator and proctor for Pearson VUE, PCEC is able to offer various nationally certified exams for students and adults.

“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” - Jack Welch, American business executive, chemical engineer, and writer

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Kristin Hawver
Supplemental Learning
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About Kristin Hawver

Mrs. Hawver is a Clarion University graduate that has been working as a learning support teacher for 16 years. The first half of her career was spent working with middle school students in the Bolivar-Richburg School District, and the second half has been spent working at the Seneca Highlands CTC with 10th–12th grade students. Mrs. Hawver welcomes and encourages students to take advantage of the learning support services that are available to them by providing fun and engaging activities that are designed to meet program learning objectives, individual educational needs, and appeal to teens. Mrs. Hawver enjoys working with students who are seeking employment in the trades, and she is happy to be part of career and technical education in today's schools.

“Nine-tenths of education is encouragement.” - Anatole France

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Bill Helsley
Instructional Aide
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About Bill Helsley

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Jessica Jones
Career Mentor
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About Jessica Jones

Jessica Jones has held many jobs since entering the workforce including: a sales rep, dietary aide, hospital office supervisor, deli worker and prep cook, photographer, blogger and website editor, and paraeducator. She currently serves as our career mentor helping students with career and promotion planning. She is an active volunteer with the Roulette Station 46 Auxiliary, as well as an editor, designer, and blog poster for her father’s website (Solomon's Words for the Wise). She is now currently enrolled in Western Governors University pursuing a dual bachelors for special education and elementary education.

“Tell me and I forget; teach me and I remember; involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin

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Ray Jones
Resource Officer
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About Ray Jones

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Terri Ogilvie
Culinary Arts
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About Terri Ogilvie

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Brandon Ordway
Maintenance
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About Brandon Ordway

I started my training at Olean BOCES in the Natural Resources Heavy Equipment Program. After joining the workforce I decided to go back to school for Homebuilders Institute in Carpentry. While there I worked as a student employee in the maintenance department. I was offered advanced training in Weatherization from the Job Corps in Pittsburgh, PA. After moving back to the area I have worked in maintenance and janitorial, as well as driving a school bus and a delivery truck. I look forward to my future at the SHCTC.

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John Pascuzzi
Resource Officer
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About John Pascuzzi

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Andy Seybert
Maintenance
CTC Graduate
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About Andy Seybert

A CTC graduate, Andy's career spans 34 years of building maintenance/custodial experience, and he currently leads our team in maintaining our building systems and making needed repairs.

“Make sure your worst enemy doesn’t live between your own two ears.” —Laird Hamilton

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