History of
the Oakland Park School of Technology
Evangelist Katherine Butler founded the Oakland Park School of Technology on
June 9, 1999. She was led by the Lord Jesus Christ to create a place that
would bring a wealth of knowledge to the church as well as the community it
serves. Two classrooms of the church were set aside for the computer school
and its students. Computers were purchased, supplies and materials gathered
and God began to bless.
The school was dedicated unto the Lord on Sunday, November 29, 1999 and the
school was open for its first class December 4, 1999. The first instructor
for the Oakland Park School of Technology was Mrs. LaRita Smith who taught
MS Works and Windows XP and Typing Pro Part I and II.
Ms Diane Wandall joined the Oakland Park School of Technology
staff and taught Typing Pro Part II. She later returned back to the Ohio
State University to pursue her law degree.
Mrs. LaRita Smith returned to the school to continue teaching
Microsoft Office Part 2. Mr. James Sayre Jr. joined the staff of OPST and
is our current instructor. LaRenzo Butler is the T.A. for Mr. Sayer.
During the
course of Computer Science, some students attended special classes that
benefited their need in the workforce and for their own personal growth. For
those students who completed a total course load of 416 hours, they are
receiving their certificate of completion today.
The OPST also offers one day seminars through out the year
for various subject areas and hopes to expand it’s course offerings in the
near future to include English, Math and a GED program.
During the summer of 2001, a computer program was held for the students of
Mock Road University. There were a total of seven students who took
advantage of this great opportunity!
A Senior Seminar was added in 2002 to enrich the computer
literacy of our seasoned adults.
July 2002, the Oakland Park School of Technology received its
accreditation from the Workforce Development Program and the school now has
access to the CET and the CCVP programs respectively.
Also in 2002, the Oakland Park School of Technology has six
students from the Youth Department of the First Church of Christ receiving
their certificate of completion in MS Works and Windows 98.
The Oakland Park School of Technology offers job placements
for its students if they are seeking employment after graduation.
The Oakland
Park School of Technology is a school of grace and integrity. For this
school, prayer is essential before each class. The teachers and students
always gather and have prayer before the process of learning begins. Here,
learning is a priority and every student is special.
Mr. Donald Bozzo joined us September of 2003,and
he taught the Computer Science Class. He designed our Web Site for the
school. This Fall he will be teaching the Web Site Design classes on
Saturday morning 8:00am.-12:00pm; and our Computer Science Classes on Monday
and Thursday 6:00-8:00pm.
Our ESL Classes was a success five student received their Certificate
Degree.
The GED Classes will
continue this Fall, and we are growing under the instruction of Mrs. Tina
Trippett.
Mrs. Stacy Mundy is our newest staff member joining us this
Fall, and she will be teaching the Accounting classes I, II, and III
classes. We are excited about this session.
Technology is at the forefront of all economic growth, and if a person wants
to excel, they must be technology savvy.
Greater things are expected from the Oakland Park School of Technology as
higher heights and deeper depths are met.
October 23, 2008, Oakland Park School of Technology received their 501(3)c
status. August 2008 there were eight student received their GED High School
Diploma and many of whom marched to receive their Certificate of Degree
from Oakland Park School of Technology with honors.
December 12, 2009, Mrs. Annie J. Wolmack joined the staff of OPST and wrote
the Grant Writing book Syllabus and tough the Winter and Spring courses.
There were ten student graduated Spring from the Grant Writing Class She
tough the Financial Workshops during the Summer of 2009.
This Fall we are beginning out Youth Art Development Certificate Program
for the After School students develop their Technology skills and help
prepare them for the workforce. They will be studying Accounting, Typing,
and Microsoft Office programs, also, there will be Saturday workshops for
the student to attend and the students will get acquainted with businesses
in the area. The students will write resumes and go for job interviews while
attending Oakland Park School of Technology.