MCCTC STEM+ME2 Staff

Dr. Mara Banfield

Email: mara.banfield@mahoningctc.com

Extension: 1207

Dr. Mara Lynne Banfield is the Superintendent of Valley STEM and Career Tech Director at MCCTC.. Previously she has served as a Principal at Canfield Village Middle School. She also was an Instructional Consultant at the MCESC, and Assistant Principal at Austintown Fitch High School. Prior to becoming an administrator, Mrs. Banfield taught science at the high school level. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University (undergraduate) and Cleveland State University (graduate). She recently obtained her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Youngstown State University. Mrs. Banfield was a collegiate athlete and officiates NCAA Women's Lacrosse. She lives in Poland, Ohio with her husband Brian, and has two stepsons Bryce and Blake.

Jessica Cene

Email: jessica.cene@mahoningctc.com

Extension: 1214

Mrs. Cene is the Community Outreach Coordinator at Valley STEM and MCCTC. She is a graduate from Youngstown State University and has been in marketing and public relations since 2012. In her spare time, Mrs. Cene loves to spend time with family and friends and watch the Buckeyes, Bengals, or Indians! She lives in Poland with her husband Ryan, and her two sons, Nathan and Carter.

Melanie Brock

Email: melanie.brock@mahoningctc.com

Extension: 1722

Miss Brock has been teaching English at Valley STEM Academy since it opened in 2015. Prior to teaching at STEM, she taught for one year in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and for two years in Columbus, Ohio. Miss Brock received her English Pre-Education Bachelor's degree and a master's degree in English Education at The Ohio State University, and is currently pursuing her Educational Leadership Doctoral degree at Youngstown State University. She is proud to be a part of Valley STEM Academy's mission to create young thinkers and innovators in our global economy

Zac Capan

Email: zachary.capan@mahoningctc.com

Extension: 1728

Mr. Capan has been a Vocational and Special Education Coordinator at Valley STEM for 3 years. He came to Valley STEM from Waynesburg University where he was a graduate assistant for the football program while he earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education. He received an undergraduate degree in Secondary Education from Waynesburg University and was a 4 year member of the football team. In his freetime, Mr. Capan enjoys playing golf, camping, traveling and playing with his two dogs, Ernie and Rocky.

Jacci Duda

Email: jacquelyn.duda@mahoningctc.com

Ms. Nohra Duda has been the Valley STEM secretary for two years now. She graduated from Villa Maria High School and went on to get her BSBA from Youngstown State University. Go Guins! She comes from a huge family and has 7 siblings. Ms. Duda has two adult children, Jacob and Mary, both pursuing degrees at YSU. An interesting fact about Ms. Duda is that she chose to amputate her right leg because of end stage arthritis from a birth defect. She will gladly challenge you to a brisk walk-off to show you that limitations are only in your mind.

Garrett Hack

Email: garrett.hack@mahoningctc.com

Extension: 1854

Mr.Hack graduated from Kent State University in 2013. He received a BSc in cell biology and a M.A in biology. His first teaching position was at Columbiana High School, teaching integrated sciences. Mr. Hack currently teaches biomedical sciences, chemistry, and biology as part of the Valley STEM team! He loves Valley STEM and the Valley STEM team! In his free time, he enjoys sports, reading, and spending time with his family.

Andrew Hampton

Email: andrew.hampton@mahoningctc.com

Mr. Hampton got into teaching because he believes there is nothing better than learning; you try, you fail, you try again and you fail again, but you never give up until you figure it out! He feels everything in life involves learning. Outside of school, Mr. Hampton enjoys spending time with his wife, their families, and friends. He also enjoys anything competitive and being active. Mr. Hampton graduated from Youngstown State University with his bachelor’s degree and earned his master’s degree from Bowling Green State University.

Megan Kovach

Email: megan.kovach@mahoningctc.com

Megan Kovach teaches Sophomore English Language Arts. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Professional Writing and Editing from The University of Akron. She continued her graduate education at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA where she obtained a Master of Arts in Teaching with a dual focus in Adolescent to Young Adult English and Intervention Specialist for Mild to Moderate Disabilities (HQT in Math). Currently, she is working on an additional Masters in Educational Leadership with a focus on Administration. Megan joined STEM in 2015, when the school opened; prior to that, she taught in Columbus, OH and San Diego, CA. She has been teaching for 7 years, and loves working with such unique, collaborative students and staff at STEM.

Maggie Little

Email: maggie.little@mahoningctc.com

Extension: 1711

Mrs. Little currently teaches Biology and 21st Communications & Entrepreneurship at Valley STEM. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master's of Art in Teaching. Outside of school, she loves spending time with her family, exercise, and being outside!

Michael Lopuchovsky

Email: michael.lopuchovsky@mahoningctc.com

Extension: 1857

Mr. L graduated from Waynesburg University with his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and a minor degree in Computer Science. This is his fourth year working on our team at Valley STEM + ME2 Academy. He currently teaches Algebra 1 and Robotics. In his spare time he enjoys doing anything outdoors. Mr. L also enjoys coaching and participating in just about any sport that you can imagine. He is a fan of all Cleveland sports and a huge Ohio State and Youngstown State athletics fan.

Cassandra Psaras

Email: cassandra.psaras@mahoningctc.com

Coming Soon

Lynnette Seebacher

Email: lynnette.seebacher@mahoningctc.com

Miss Seebacher graduated from Youngstown State University in 2018 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Mathematics Education. After graduating college, she taught high school math for one year in the Austintown Local School District before joining our elite team here at Valley STEM + ME2 Academy. She currently teaches Algebra 1 and Geometry, and works to incorporate hands-on activities involving technology, engineering, and real world connections into the math classroom. In her free time she enjoys coaching high school bowling and shopping!

Todd VanOrman

Email: todd.vanorman@mahoningctc.com

Todd graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Technology and later with a Master’s Degree in Career and Technical Education. He spent nine years working in the foundry industry as a quality control manager, sales manager, and later as a sales engineer. He left the private sector and began teaching industrial technology and then worked at a career center where he taught Construction, Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing before coming to Valley Stem + ME2 Academy. Mr. VanOrman currently teaches Exploratory Engineering, Additive Manufacturing and Subtractive Manufacturing. He also runs a SkillsUSA class to prepare students for regional and state competitions. When not in school, he enjoys working on cars, woodworking and learning new skills.

Jordan Voitus

Email: jordan.voitus@mahoningctc.com

Extension: 1455

Mr. Voitus is a social studies teacher at Valley STEM. He has many hobbies, some include rock climbing, movies, sports, video games, and reading. His favorite history subject is ancient Rome. His favorite social studies topic is economics. When Mr. Voitus was young, he wanted to be an Archeologist because he saw the people in Jurassic Park digging up old dinosaur bones. He loves it at Valley Stem, and positive you will too.

Les Wright

Email: leslie.wright@mahoningctc.com

Extension: 1870

Mr. Wright earned a Bachelors of Science in Secondary Education from YSU. Currently, he is working towards obtaining his Professional License in the Great State of Ohio as a History Teacher. He also has plans to continue his education in Law school. He is currently teaching 10th Grade American History at Valley STEM.