Time For Change Trade School (TFCTS) was established to address the need for greater access to vocational training programs for vulnerable populations in the District. The school’s purpose is to provide employment training and support access to employability through trade and certification programs.

TFCTS currently offers Nursing Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, and Security Program Training. The school combines academic and vocational/technical instruction as part of its educational programs.
​​

​​Tonya Ridley LPC CRC CWIC CESP
​​Founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board

Tonya Ridley is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Certified Work Incentives Counselor and a Certified Employment Support Professional. Tonya has experience working with individuals who are diagnosed with a physical, cognitive and/or mental disability. Tonya has worked with children, young, middle and elderly aged adults in schools and in all rehabilitation settings such as: Hospitals, Therapeutic Recreation, ​Psychiatric facilities (inpatient and outpatient), correctional detention facility or, currently now, with chronically homeless individuals who were recently housed.

​Tonya's Mission: To counsel youth and/or adults, provide guidance and understandings of what is
needed in the workforce, while enhancing the betterment of individuals' thinking and livelihood.

Jessica Thompkins BSN RN CPN PhD Candidate
​Director of Nursing Education

Jessica Thompkins is a pediatric registered nurse, research nurse, and PhD candidate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She has worked in pediatric nursing, family research, and clinical research since 2008, including work involving life-threatening pediatric illness and rare diseases. Jessica has also served as a research nurse coordinator and has extensive experience in pediatric nursing and clinical trial research.
​
Jessica has five years of experience working in academia in both classroom and clinical settings. She is passionate about mentoring future healthcare workers and integrating evidence-based practice into nursing education. Her research interests include adolescent health equity, community health nursing, and the intersection of clinical practice and health policy.
​

Dr. Pamela Herbert MD
Medical Director

Dr. Pamela Herbert was born in Washington DC and grew up in Los Angeles, California. She attended Yale University, receiving a BA in Biology, followed by Wake Forest School of Medicine and completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at Martin Luther King Hospital in Compton, California. Her career highlights include being Assistant Director for 2 Emergency Departments as well as currently being Medical Director of IU Frankfort Emergency Department and EMS Director of Clinton County, Indiana. Dr Herbert has three children: Natalie, a graduate of West Point who serves in the US Army; Nathan, a graduate of Belmont University in Theater Arts and Motion Pictures; and Noah, a rising Junior at Purdue University who is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Dr Herbert enjoys scuba diving, traveling and reading.

Doreen Gumbs-Vines BS NREMT/P
CPM EHPP
EMT Trainer

​Doreen Vines is an experienced emergency medical services professional and educator with a strong background in EMS training, emergency response, and healthcare education. She has worked in emergency medical services and provided training to healthcare and emergency personnel, helping professionals strengthen their clinical knowledge and emergency response skills.

Doreen has served as an EMS educator and trainer, providing instruction in emergency medical care and lifesaving practices. Her experience includes supporting healthcare professionals and emergency responders through structured training and professional development.

At Time For Change Trade School, Doreen serves as an EMT Trainer, bringing her experience in emergency medical education and EMS training to help prepare students for careers in the healthcare field.

Britaney Jackson PhT
Lead Pharmacy Tech Instructor
​​

Britaney Jackson is our Certified/ Licensed Pharmacy Technician. She has been a Pharmacy Technician for thirteen years, with most of her experience in retail. Her experience ranges from retail, specialty and IV Compounding. What she loves about being a Pharmacy Technician is the excellent Customer service that she is able to provide, which can go a long way when you're dealing with patients.
​
By focusing on Patient Safety and great customer service, she has been able to train other technicians on the important role we play in Patient care. Training has given her a new love for teaching and being able to share the knowledge that she has obtained working in the field of
pharmacy.
​
​When she is not working, she loves being a Mom and spending time with her four wonderful boys.