Kaci Dorton named Franklin Tech director

(From Joplin Schools)

Joplin Schools is pleased to announce the hiring of Kaci Dorton as the newest director of Franklin Technology Center at Joplin High School.

Dorton has been a Joplin Schools employee since 2006, serving both in the classroom and in administrative roles. While working as a teacher in Technology and Engineering Education, Dorton received grants to implement the robotics program and the Project Lead the Way program at Joplin High School and FTC. Later, she spent three years as the Vocational Special Services Coordinator at FTC.

Her most recent positions in the district include five years of experience as an Assistant Principal at Joplin High School, working with the freshman, junior and senior classes.

Dorton is a graduate of Cherryvale High School in Cherryvale, Kansas. She received a Bachelor of Science, Technology & Engineering Education from Pittsburg State University in 2005, followed by a Master of Science in Educational Leadership, also from Pittsburg State University, in 2011.

In 2018, Dorton earned a Specialist in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University. She is currently completing doctoral studies in Educational Leadership at William Woods University.

“I am excited and honored to serve the students and staff at Franklin Technology Center,” said Dorton.
“I look forward to working with our local community, industrial partners, and school districts to continue creating opportunities through our programs at FTC.”

As director at FTC-JHS, Dorton succeeds Steve Reed, who will retire at the end of the 2022-23 school
year.

“Kaci Dorton has provided Joplin Schools with quality work and dedication for many years in different
capacities,” said Joplin Schools superintendent Dr. Kerry Sachetta.

“Her background and qualifications as an industrial technology instructor, program developer, career tech educator, and her most recent experiences in building leadership will serve her well to guide Franklin Technology Center’s secondary program into the future.”