Lex La-Ray Technical Center

September 2024

About Us

Lex La-Ray Technical Center is one of 57 Area Career Centers in the state of Missouri. The facility opened in 1975 and serves approximately 300 students each year.

At Lex La-Ray, we help students build job skills by offering a balanced program of classroom instruction and hands-on training. Together with our excellent staff and state-of-the-art equipment, this emphasis on knowing and doing helps students develop the career skills needed for success and future achievement.

Outstanding students from area schools have been chosen to be a part of Lex La-Ray Technical Center, including Higginsville, Lexington, Odessa, Richmond, Santa Fe, Wellington-Napoleon, Hardin-Central, Norborne, Orrick, as well as students enrolled in area private schools and adults from West Central Missouri.

September Events

NEW! TeacherEase Parent Portal

Check student grades, attendance, and more using the email address on file at LLRTC.

Login - Common Goal Systems, Inc.

teacherease.com

Welcome New Staff

Kerry Adkins, Agriculture/FFA

My husband Michael and I are both alumni of Lexington, and currently live in Dover. Although originally a pre-veterinary major, after taking classes in the animal science/ag department I fell in love with Agriculture. I then changed my major, and I earned my bachelors degree in Agricultural Education from Missouri State University in 2004.

Over the last couple decades we have raised our four children: a son and three daughters in Lafayette County, our oldest two children also graduated from the Lexington R-V school district. Prior to 2020, I worked in the district as a substitute teacher and co-sponsor for the Lexington FFA. I have served the community in many ways through various organizations like our church, Lafayette County 4-H, and as a member of several philanthropic community organizations around Lexington. I've spent 16+ in public service as an alderman and the last five as the mayor of our home town of Dover, Missouri. While our family has been active in 4-H for the last 13 years, our three daughters are also an active part of the Lexington Ag Ed and FFA programs.

I look forward to continuing to be a part of Lexington's Agricultural Education department, just in a larger role now. I hope to be a positive contribution to Lex-la-Ray Technical Center and the Lexington R-V School district, and to encourage the growth of the ag program and kids to learn about and love Agriculture!

"Agriculture is the shoes on our feet, the clothes on our backs, the roof over our heads, and the food in our mouths...it is tied to almost every part of our lives and future!"

Linda Schrader, Health Occupations II

I am so excited to be at Lex La-Ray this year as the Health Occupations II instructor!

I was born and raised in Hardin, MO. After graduation, I attended William Jewell College and received my BS in Nursing. Early in my career, I was an instructor and examiner for nurse aide certification, which is when I first decided that I wanted to be a teacher “somewhere down the road.” I have worked in hospitals, nursing homes, community health education programs, and, most recently, school nursing (to name a few). I have worked with all ages of people, from children to the elderly. The audience may have changed with my positions, but teaching is one thing they all had in common, and teaching is my passion!

I returned to college and obtained my MS in Nursing Education from CMU. I have now arrived at that time “somewhere down the road,” and I am so excited to be working at Lex La-Ray Technical Center!

I can’t wait to see how the students grow in knowledge and confidence. We are going to have a great year!

Derek Morgan, Student Services Coordinator

I have lived in Lexington for the majority of my life and am a 1994 graduate of Lexington High School. After high school, I attended Wentworth Military Academy for a year, then joined the Missouri Army National Guard in 1995. After returning from training, I attended CMSU (now UCM) for the next two years, majoring in Secondary Education, but did not complete my degree. In 1998, I was offered an active duty position with the National Guard and spent the next 22 and a half years on active duty, serving in various positions.

While serving, I spent time in 17 different countries and visited nearly every state in our wonderful country. I held three different Army specialties: Combat Engineer, Ammunition Specialist, and Recruiter. I had the privilege of enlisting hundreds of Soldiers, training thousands of Soldiers, and serving my country alongside my best friends. I spent 14 months (2004–2005) deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom, aided in the development of a security team for the 2002 Winter Olympics, and worked on relief missions for hurricanes, floods, and winter storms. My final assignment was as a Recruiting Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge of Northwest Missouri. I retired as a Master Sergeant in 2019 after serving a total of 25 years, then purchased Papa Jack's Pizza.

During my time in Iraq, I developed a bucket list, and one of those items was to complete my bachelor's degree in business, which I finally did in 2010 from Excelsior College in Albany, NY. I started the classes while in Iraq and finished them during hurricane relief in Louisiana. I am married, with six children and one new grandchild. I am excited to be at LLRTC and to continue serving my community.

Program Spotlight: Building Trades

Tucker Leads Program in Building Success; Leaves Mark on Lexington R-V

This month, we shine a spotlight on Building Trades, our construction program making history in our school community. Since he started in 2021, Mr. Ryan Tucker and Building Trades students have spearheaded a series of impressive projects that significantly enhanced our campus facilities. Through the dedication and hard work of our students and instructors, these projects have provided invaluable hands-on learning experiences and have left a lasting impact on our school community.

Year 1: Maintenance and Building Trades Expansion

In the first year of this initiative, the Building Trades program completed the construction of the Maintenance and Building Trades expansion. This project laid the groundwork for what would become a tradition of student-led construction efforts on campus. The new facility provided much-needed space and resources, demonstrating the skill and determination of our students and staff.

Year 2: Playhouse Construction

The second year of the program saw the creation of charming playhouses, a project that showcased the creativity and craftsmanship of our students. These playhouses highlighted the diverse skills developed in the Building Trades program. Both playhouses were then sold to community members.

Year 3: Board of Education Building Construction

Building on the success of previous projects, Mr. Tucker's third year focused on the construction of the new Board of Education Building. This project was particularly significant as it demonstrated our students' ability to handle larger, more complex structures. The Board Building now stands as a testament to the hard work and growing expertise of our Building Trades program participants.

Year 4: Interior Completion of the Board Building

In Tucker's fourth year, the focus has shifted to the interior of the Board Building. With a commitment to functionality and design, students will help transform the space into a fully operational facility. This phase of the project will emphasize the importance of attention to detail and the value of creating a space that is both practical and welcoming.

Additional Projects: Enhancing School Spirit

In addition to these major projects, the Building Trades program also took on the challenge of repairing the baseball announcer booth, the thespian garage, and the football announcer booth. These improvements have helped to enhance the facilities that support our extracurricular activities.

A Personal Reflection: Building Real Structures for Our School

Reflecting on these achievements, the two building constructions—the Maintenance and Building Trades expansion and the Board Building—stand out as Mr. Tucker's personal favorites. He chose these projects because they allowed students to build real, functional structures that will serve our school community for years to come. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing a project come to life from the ground up, knowing that it will make a tangible difference in our daily lives.

The success of these projects is a testament to the strength of our Building Trades program and the dedication of its students and instructors. Mr. Tucker will be greatly missed by his Lex La-Ray family. The new instructor, Mr. Glen Smith, is our retired Building Trades instructor. He is excited to be back teaching full-time. We look forward to many more projects that will continue to enrich our school and provide invaluable learning experiences for all involved.