Velta Reed-Johnston is an education idol.
Reed-Johnston, 83, of Yukon, was the state’s first female superintendent within the Career Tech system in 1984. Recently, she added another honor with induction into the Oklahoma Career Tech Hall of Fame.
Inductees are recognized for outstanding professional and personal achievements and for having brought honor and distinction to Career Tech system. Reed-Johnson worked at three of the state’s 29 technology centers, which comprise Career Tech.
The Hall of Fame is supported by the Oklahoma Foundation for Career and Technology Education. The first members were selected in 1990. Beginning in 1991 the awards were presented biennially in odd-numbered years.
Reed-Johnston worked over three decades in education. She now lives at Spanish Cove Retirement Center and is still giving of her abilities by serving as chair of Spanish Cove’s Board of Trustees.
Canadian Valley Technology Center Superintendent Dr. Gayla Lutts said Reed-Johnson
ensures her retirement community is engaged in local education.
“Ms. Johnston has been instrumental in encouraging several successful partnerships between Spanish Cove and CV Tech that benefit the programs and students involved,” Lutts said. “She continues to use her talents to make a positive, lasting impact in her community and the Oklahoma Career Tech system she loves so much.”
Reed-Johnston began her as a home economics teacher in Beaver. She also taught in Forgan, Washington and Harrah public schools. She was the first female administrator at Harrah. Her experience there as a principal paved the way to helping develop Eastern Oklahoma Technology Center in 1979 when she was hired as assistant superintendent of secondary programs. She retired in 1997 as superintendent of Pioneer Technology Center.
Also inducted was Dr. Tom Friedemann, retired superintendent of Francis Tuttle Technology Center and former assistant state director of Oklahoma Career Tech.
CV Tech provides more than three dozen career preparation options at three area campus sites (Chickasha, El Reno and Yukon) and helps boost companies through its Workforce Development focus. For more information, visit www.cvtech.edu.
