Jennifer Maldonado - Academics and Life Skills - Iroquois Job Corps Center

Jennifer Maldonado

joined Iroquois Job Corps Center in June 2021 as a TABE instructor and testing administrator. She has a bachelor’s degree in substance abuse studies and has been a substance abuse counselor for over 15 years. She enjoys working with young people because she believes it’s an honor to be invited into someone else’s life journey. Jennifer is married and has two teenage sons, with whom she enjoys spending her free time.

Mary Hallenbeck - Academics and Life Skills - Iroquois Job Corps Center

Mary Hallenbeck

has been working at Iroquois Job Corps Center since December 2020 as a Penn Foster Core instructor. She enjoys the diversity on campus and watching her students grow and progress. Mary believes each student has their own talents, and her greatest reward is watching them graduate. When she isn’t teaching, she works as a cosmetologist, and she also loves the outdoors. 

Lisa Griffith - Academics and Life Skills - Iroquois Job Corps Center

Lisa Griffith

brings a variety of experience to her role as TABE instructor at Iroquois Job Corps Center. She has a degree in history, has experience teaching social studies in the Rochester City School District and has provided services for adults with autism throughout her career. Lisa joined the team in August 2021 and enjoys working with the 16–24 age group. In her free time, she enjoys visiting historical sites with her two children, spinning her own crochet yarn and reading historical-based novels.

David Garland - Academics and Life Skills - Iroquois Job Corps Center

David Garland

joined the Iroquois Job Corps team in April 2022 as the High School Diploma instructor. His background is in education, and he was a full-time teacher in the public school system for over 22 years. David has a bachelor’s degree in social studies and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, with experience teaching American history. David loves to pique students’ interests while instructing and to get their input on world events.

Margie Eason - Academics and Life Skills - Iroquois Job Corps Center

Margie Eason

has over 30 years of experience working for Job Corps, and she currently serves as a part-time Limited English Proficient/English Language Learner instructor at Iroquois Job Corps Center. Her educational background is in school administration, English as a Second Language and pastoral ministry. Margie loves working with students and witnessing their growth from the moment they arrive on campus until they complete their training. 

Alex Brien - Academics and Life Skills - Iroquois Job Corps Center

Alex Brien

is a GED instructor at Iroquois Job Corps Center. He is certified to teach history and has experience educating students in a variety of subject areas, particularly math. Alex prepares students to take the GED high school equivalency exam, and his greatest joy is watching them further their education and careers, from high school equivalency to graduation and beyond.

Ahmed Ajroud - Academics and Life Skills - Iroquois Job Corps Center

Ahmed Ajroud

is a Core instructor at Iroquois Job Corps Center. His educational background is in English language and literature, and he has professional experience teaching English as a second language to children, teenagers and adults, both in the classroom and online. He enjoys working with Job Corps students because it gives him the opportunity to develop skills like patience, communication, enthusiasm and creativity. In his spare time, Ahmed loves spending time with his family, cooking dinner, doing yoga and cardio, and creating art and design.

Martha Benda - TCU/IAM Advanced Training - Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps Center

Martha Benda

is the department manager and lead instructor for the TCU Advanced Transportation program at the Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps Center. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree from Florida State University. Martha has over 20 years of experience as a case manager, as well as teaching art. In her current role, she teaches job readiness and job search skills for the transportation industry.

Lizzie Reetz - TCU/IAM Advanced Training - Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps Center

Lizzie Reetz

is the Program Assistant and Substitute instructor with the TCU Advanced Transportation program at Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps Center. Lizzie has a degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin, a master’s degree in management from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and over 10 years of experience working in case management, supportive housing, counseling and education.