Dr. Jodi Kirk
Dr. Jodi Kirk is a college administrator and leader in career and technical education, currently serving as the Director of Manatee Technical College in Florida. Her path into education began unexpectedly in 2010 while working as a purchasing supervisor for Mitsubishi Food Ingredients, when she was invited to teach a strategic procurement course at a local college. That experience sparked a passion for teaching and ultimately led her to transition careers through the University of West Florida’s Teacher Ready program. After earning her Florida teaching certification, she began teaching business and technology courses at Clearwater High School.
Over the years, Dr. Kirk has built a dynamic career that bridges classroom instruction and educational leadership. She served as an instructional staff developer for Pinellas County, training and mentoring educators, before returning to the classroom at Richard O. Jacobson Technical High School. There, she spent more than seven years as a game simulation and animation programming instructor, developing one of the school’s most sought-after programs, and helping many pursue careers in computer science and engineering. Her transition into administration as Assistant Director at Pinellas Technical College further expanded her impact, overseeing postsecondary programs, apprenticeships, and accreditation efforts, while driving data-informed improvements and fostering strong community partnerships.
Now leading Manatee Technical College, Dr. Kirk oversees strategic planning, campus operations, and program development, with a focus on delivering rigorous, hands-on training that aligns with workforce needs. With more than 15 years in education, she is passionate about creating opportunities for students through innovative programming and a culture of continuous improvement. Grounded in empathy, lifelong learning, and a commitment to student success, she considers her current role both a culmination of her journey and a place she proudly calls home.
• Director of Career and Technical Education - FL DOE Professional Certificate
• Business Education - FL DOE Professional Certificate
• Strategic Partnerships - Project Management Institute
• Computer Programming Specialist C#
• Argosy University - Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• University of Central Florida - Certificate, Director of Career and Technical Education
• University of Phoenix - Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• University of West Florida - Certificate, Business Teacher Education
• American Sentinel College - Bachelor's degree, Business Administration and Management
• Career Educator of the Year, Pinellas County 2018
• Outstanding CTAE Administrator, Pinellas County 2024
• Manatee Chamber
• Sarasota Chamber
• Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance
• Bradenton Economic Development Committee (Board member)
• Pinellas County Urban League
What do you attribute your success to?
I think the biggest attribute that brought me success is having a growth mindset. From a young age, I learned that you don’t need to be naturally talented at something to master it or excel. I wasn’t a particularly strong student at first, but I quickly realized that anything I set my mind to was within reach. Whether or not it came easily to me initially didn’t matter. What mattered was my willingness to learn, persist, and grow.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The biggest advice I can offer is to lead by example and assume good intentions. In a field like education, it’s easy to become jaded; new students arrive every year, and it can feel like you’re constantly starting from scratch. It’s tempting to fall into generalizations about “this generation” or wish things were different. But I’ve learned that approaching people with trust and positivity makes all the difference. Most students and educators genuinely want to do their best. You can always find something negative if you look for it, but almost every situation has a positive side too. As an educator, and now as an administrator, I try to focus on that. I make a point to ask questions, listen carefully, and understand where someone is coming from and why things might be unfolding the way they are. From that place of understanding, you can lead in a way that sets the tone, becoming a positive influence and a model for the culture you want to create.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Like many industries, education has long operated under a status quo where men held most leadership roles. Because of that, there’s often a sense that women need to work a little harder or be nearly perfect to move up. But I’m seeing a real shift, especially in my district, where we have many strong leaders, many of which are female. That change has created space to move past old biases and redefine what leadership looks like.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For me, empathy and genuine kindness are absolutely foundational. I believe that being a good person and someone who listens, understands, and treats others with respect matters just as much as any skill or qualification. Those qualities shape how you lead, how you build relationships, and how you create an environment where people feel valued. At the end of the day, empathy and kindness aren’t just traits I admire; they’re principles I try to live by in every interaction both at work and in my personal life.
Milestone Moments
