MAHONING VALLEY State honors area educator

It's vital that children begin thinking about a vocation in life, an expert says.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
CANFIELD -- A Mahoning Valley educator is being recognized by the state for her work in helping youngsters choose a career.
Dr. Marie Pavlicko, the career development and economic education supervisor at the Mahoning County Career & amp; Technical Center, has been presented a "Pioneer in Education" award from the Ohio Department of Education.
Pavlicko "has dedicated her career to education and to career development services that will greatly benefit students throughout Ohio," Dr. Susan Tave Zelman, state superintendent, said in presenting the award to Pavlicko.
The award, announced earlier this week, is sponsored by the state board of education to recognize educators and policy-makers who have significantly advanced educational practices.
Pavlicko, of Struthers, is one of five Ohioans receiving the honor this fall.
What colleagues say
Her colleagues often refer to the educator as the grandmother of career development for the work she has done to improve such programs, the state department of education said in a news release.
Pavlicko said Wednesday she's flattered by the recognition, which, she said, stems largely from her creation of a kindergarten-through-12th-grade career development program.
Used by public schools throughout Mahoning County, the program starts with field trips and career speakers for elementary school children.
In middle school, young learners progress to career planning. By high school, they're "job shadowing" and assembling r & eacute;sum & eacute;s and portfolios.
Pavlicko said she designed the program based on a model assembled by the state. That model was formulated by state task forces on which she served.
Introducing children to career development early is vital. It helps pupils "understand why they're learning," Pavlicko said. "They know they're really preparing for their futures," she added.
Her career
Pavlicko's own 36-year career in education has been a distinguished one.
She began as a teacher at Holy Trinity School in Struthers, then served as a teacher and guidance counselor in Springfield schools. She taught at Youngstown State University before coming to the Mahoning County Career & amp; Technical Center.
Pavlicko has received several awards for her work in education. Last year, she was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International.
A New Castle native, Pavlicko has lived in Struthers for more than 45 years. She was married to the late Frank "Susko" Pavlicko. She has three sons, Francis, Randy and Joseph, and four grandchildren.