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Western Technology Center (WTC) recognized Miraclon as its Partners in Progress honoree during the annual Partners in Progress Ceremony recently at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The event, hosted by the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education (OkACTE) and the Oklahoma Association of Technology Centers, brought together 30 businesses and CareerTech representatives to recognize outstanding industry partners across the state. The award honors Miraclon’s long‑standing commitment to workforce development and manufacturing excellence in western Oklahoma.

For more than 20 years, WTC has partnered with Miraclon’s Weatherford manufacturing facility, providing customized training that supports safety, compliance, productivity, and leadership development. The collaboration includes OSHA‑aligned safety programs, technical skills training, quality and continuous improvement initiatives, and leadership development.

Through multiple Training for Industry Program projects and ongoing instruction, the partnership has supported hiring growth, strengthened technical capability, and reinforced a strong safety culture. WTC and Miraclon continue working together to build skilled employees, strong leaders, and a competitive Oklahoma workforce.

Jose Ochoa, Hammon High School and WTC- Burns Flat Service Careers student competed at the Oklahoma SkillsUSA Spring Leadership Conference and placed FIRST in Standard Riding Mower!

Way to go, Jose!

WTC is committed to "educating people for success"!

Jay Edelen is the new Superintendent at Western Technology Center as of July 1, 2026. 

Edelen has dedicated the last 26 years to education. He started his career in Kingfisher as a science teacher and coach and continued into his education administration journey at Medford Public Schools (Principal), Pioneer Public Schools (Superintendent) and for the last 12 years Arapaho-Butler Public Schools Superintendent. 

Arapaho-Butler Public Schools is one of the 14 public schools that are partnered with Western Technology Center. According to Edelen, “I’ve seen the impact on students who have attended WTC. My goal has always been to help prepare students to be productive members of society. And now with CareerTech, that goal continues as we bridge academics with workforce readiness.” 

After years of encouragement from his Kingfisher superintendent/mentor/friend/retired Chisholm Trail Technology Center superintendent, Max Thomas, Edelen obtained his CareerTech Administrators Certification in 2021. This step has prepared Edelen for this new adventure in his leadership journey. 

“Timing is right for this career move. Bittersweet, but right,” reflects Edelen. “Arapaho-Butler is a great school, with a great staff and a great community all working together to be a great school district.”  Arapaho-Butler has received numerous athletic and academic scholar accolades over the years and in 2025 was recognized with the Oklahoma Blue Ribbon Award from the Oklahoma State Department of Education. This award recognizes schools for exceptional academic performance and commitment to student success. 

Edelen shared that he is looking forward to building on the WTC legacy and meeting the needs of business and industry with a strong workforce. “The possibilities are endless for western Oklahoma!” 

WTC celebrates Don Hart, WTC-Burns Flat Welding Instructor for his years of dedication and training at Western Technology Center! Mr. Hart is celebrating 50 years of Welding training. Did you know Mr. Hart was a graduate of Western Technology Center? He also has had amazing work experiences in welding and then began instructing Welding under the CETA (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act) Manpower Program. The demand and interest for more welders provided the opportunity for Mr. Hart to join WTC (it was called Western Oklahoma Area Vocational Technical School then). Thank you Mr. Hart for your commitment to "educating people for success"!

Amanda Harrell, an adult student with WTC-Sayre Business Technology program competed at the Oklahoma Business Professionals of America (BPA) Spring Leadership Conference in Tulsa, OK which sealed her ticket to compete at the BPA National Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN. Where approximately 7,000 BPA members attended.

Amanda placed FIRST in Business Law & Ethics, 4th in Human Resource Management, and in the Top 8 for Administrative Support Services.

After great success at the State level, Amanda continued to shine bright at the National Leadership Conference, bringing back to WTC a 2nd place achievement in Human Resource Management, and a 7th place achievement in Business Law & Ethics.

Shout out to Amanda and her Business Technology instructor Susanne Silk for representing WTC so well!

WTC is committed to "educating people for success"!