Dr. Jodi Kirk
Dr. Jodi Kirk is an education administrator and leader in career and technical education, currently serving as Lead 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, where she introduced students to video game design and programming, helping many pursue careers in computer science and engineering.
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. 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.
• Florida teaching certificate 2011
• Doctorate 2016
• University of Central Florida - Certificate, Director of Career and Technical Education
• University Doctorate - Business Management
• University of Phoenix - Master of Business Administration (MBA), Business
• University of West Florida - Certificate, Business Teacher Education
• American Sentinel College - Bachelor's degree, Business Administration and Management
• 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 thing that has brought me to success is being a lifelong learner and having that growth mindset. I learned from a young age that maybe I didn't have a lot of natural ability - my sister was just always a very strong student, could test and get A's right off the bat - but I learned pretty quickly that anything I wanted to accomplish, I 100% could put my mind to it, regardless of if it was something that I thought was a strength or not.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The biggest advice I could give is just persevere and really assume good intentions. I think it can be easy to get jaded in an industry like this, where you have students every year, and the turnover - every year students graduate, things happen, you get another group in, you're always starting over. I think it's very easy to get jaded and say, oh, this generation does that, or I wish it was this way. But it's more about assuming good intentions and goodwill. I think the majority of people, students, teachers, and otherwise, are trying to do their best and do good. You can always look at the negative, but in almost any situation, you can always find the positive as well. That's something I always try to do as an educator, and now as an administrator - just ask the questions and listen, and really try to understand where someone is coming from and why things might be happening the way they are, versus assuming bad things.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think just like a lot of industries, the kind of old mindset and status quo was more that men have been the leaders for so long. So I think there's always that feeling of you have to do a little more, be a little better, kind of be perfect to move up. And I think that's definitely shifting. I definitely see a shift, and my district in particular, we have a female superintendent, really strong school district, and I feel like there is that shift now where you can overcome any of the old biases that were out there.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I think empathy and just, in general, being a good person, being a kind person, those are most important to me.