Contact Info:
Phone: 907-313-8220
CTE Contact Information
YKSD CTE Directors
Dave Foshee
CTE Director
Patty Woody
CTE Assistant Director
Contact Info:
Phone: 907-313-8226
Patty Woody is the Assistant Director of Career & Technical Education (CTE) at YKSD. With her 15 years with the district, she has served as CTE Assistant Director, CTE Coordinator, and Itinerant Counselor. With 22 years of experience in education, Patty has held a variety of roles, including Graduation Success Coach, Career Guidance Specialist, After-School Program Instructor, School Counselor, Accreditation Evaluator, and Education Administrator. Each position has strengthened her expertise and commitment to helping students succeed.
Before entering education, Patty worked as a chemist for nine years in an environmental testing laboratory. Her time working as a Teaching Parent in a group home for teenage boys inspired her to pursue a career in education. Patty’s dedication, leadership, and passion for student success make her a valued and integral member of the YKSD team.
Brain Powell
CTE Assistant Director
Contact Info:
Phone: 907-313-7409
The CTE Student Support and Training Coordinator at YKSD, Brian Powell, has been teaching in the educational field for 28 years, 25 of them in Alaska. Before moving to Alaska, he earned an undergraduate degree in science education from Black Hills State University and taught high school science for three years in Wyoming. In 1997, he moved to Alaska and taught high school science and math for the Lower Yukon School District and Fairbanks Northstar Borough School District. In 2009, he earned his Masters in Education Leadership and served as the principal of Nordale Elementary in Fairbanks until its closure in 2022.
Before his retirement from the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Brian worked as an assistant principal at West Valley High School and as Assistant Director of Human Resources. One of Brian's most proud accomplishments is his work with colleagues to establish Star of the North Secondary School, an alternative charter school in North Pole, Alaska. Brian looks forward to using his years of teaching experience, education leadership, aviation background, and construction/woodworking skills to enhance the District’s CTE program.
YKSD CTE Coordinators
George Merritt
CTE Program Coordinator
Contact Info:
Phone: 907-313-8126
George Merritt serves as the Coordinator of Career & Technical Education (CTE) for the Yukon-Koyukuk School District. With over 25 years of experience in education—from classroom teaching to district-level leadership—he brings a comprehensive understanding of how to connect academic learning with real-world skills.
In his current role, George coordinates a diverse range of CTE programs, including Welding, Small Engine Repair, Heavy Equipment Operation, STEAM, Construction Trades, Electrical Careers, Driver’s Education, and Plumbing & Heating. He works closely with staff, industry partners, and community members to expand opportunities for students across Alaska’s rural regions.
George is passionate about preparing students for success in both college and career pathways by fostering hands-on, project-based learning that builds confidence, skill, and purpose.
Carla Saunders
CTE Residential Student and Training Coordinator
Carlos Torbay
CTE Coordinator
YKSD CTE Instructors
Kate Voigt
CTE Instructor
Contact Info:
Phone: 907-313-8223
Kate Voigt serves as the CTE Welding Instructor at YKSD, where she brings her decade of industry experience to inspire the next generation of welders. Her passion for welding began at age 15 and has taken her across Alaska's diverse industrial landscape. With extensive field experience throughout the state, Kate combines practical industry knowledge with hands-on teaching methods to prepare students for successful careers in welding.
When not in the classroom, Kate's enthusiasm for welding extends into her time, where she continues to practice her trade. She also embraces Alaska's outdoor lifestyle through hiking and camping adventures with her family.
Andrew Bellamy
CTE Instructor
Contact Info:
Phone: 907-313-7407
Hailing from the shores of Lake Erie in northern Ohio, Andrew Bellamy brings a unique blend of industry experience and educational expertise to his role as a Career and Technical Education instructor. With an Associate Degree in Electronic Engineering and an M.Ed in Elementary Education, Andrew bridges the gap between real-world technical skills and classroom learning with ease.
Before entering the field of education, Andrew spent 13 years working as a technician and engineer in the power electronics and security industries. For the past five years, he has served students in rural Alaska, combining his deep technical background with a passion for student growth and community engagement.
Andrew’s focus as a CTE instructor centers on STEM education, particularly electronics, engineering, design, report writing, and diagnostic problem-solving. He is dedicated to fostering curiosity, resilience, and technical literacy in students—skills that are critical for success in the 21st-century workforce.
When not teaching, Andrew can be found relaxing at home with his wife and three children, working on DIY projects, attempting to play the guitar, or watching the Cleveland Guardians and Cleveland Browns let him down, as usual.
Mike Finley
CTE Instructor
YKSD CTE Facilitators
Launa Madros
CTE Administrative Facilitator
Contact Info:
Phone: 907-313-2575
Launa Madros attended the University of Alaska, where she majored in Process Technology and Accounting in 2018. She is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education at Chadron State University.
Her professional background includes experience in banking and lending, early childhood development, and serving as a Family Readiness Support Assistant for the U.S. Army’s 82nd Battalion. She also previously served as Board Secretary for the Yukon-Koyukuk School District (YKSD) School Board. And most importantly, Launa was a dedicated stay-at-home mother for a time.
"I"m very excited to join the CTE team and bring all skills I have learned throughout the years here at YKSD!"
Jocelyn Patsy
CTE Facilities/Special Projects
Contact Info:
Phone: 907-313-8225
Jocelyn Patsy is the YKSD CTE Facilities/Special Projects specialist. Jocelyn brings with her skills in Behavior Health, Special Education, maintenance and groundskeeping. She has a background in hospitality and works with staff to ensure that the CTE Facilities are safe and up-to-date. She also assists with special projects and is a valuable member of the YKSD team.
A native of Nulato, Alaska, Joycelyn moved to Fairbanks to pursue a certificate in Process Technology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, a course that had to be postponed due to COVID. Her long-term goals are to complete school and move back to her hometown where she can enjoy life to the fullest.
When Joycelyn is not working, she loves spending time with her dog, reading, and beading. She also enjoys traveling to rural villages all over Alaska to learn more about local culture. She enjoys seeing the sights and sounds of more rural villages. She loves learning about the traditional way of life and meeting the people who live in these villages. She believes that it is important to preserve the culture and traditions of these communities for future generations.