Press Room
Local educators recognized for youth workforce endeavors
The Southwest Washington Youth Council and the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (SWWDC) announced its first set of awards honoring educators who are dedicated to helping youth develop educational and workforce skills. The Youth Council and SWWDC honored Lynne LaCross of Mountain View High School, Kay Potter of Summit View High School and Cindy Wardlow of the Kelso School District with "Workforce Friendly Educator" awards during a joint presentation in November.
Educators from Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties were nominated and evaluated on the following criteria: knowledge, appreciation, and promotion of workforce education issues and experiences for students, hands on efforts to link students to other community resources that support workforce preparedness, and a commitment to helping youth succeed.
The administrative team at Evergreen School District's Mountain View High School nominated Lynne LaCross. LaCross, a career counselor for the 2,300 student school was recognized for her workforce knowledge and commitment to students. She holds numerous student-based guidance sessions to help students formulate their career paths and each year she also offers informational opportunities for the Mountain View staff. "Her knowledge of career and technical educational opportunities is unparalleled on our campus. She is one of our most valued resources... Lynne represents our link to the occupational/professional world and has established strong relationships with community agencies. ... In closing, Lynne LaCross represents the peak of professional expertise ," wrote Principal Michael Meloy.
Kay Potter, a teacher at Battle Ground School District's 400-student Summit View High School, was nominated by Educational Service District (ESD) 112's' Kathy Jensen. In her nomination, Jensen credits Potter with serving a pivotal role in the success of a state grant designed to help at-risk students and drop-outs engage in school and plan for their future in conjunction with SWWDC and ESD 112's Youth Workforce Program. "For this grant to be successful, we needed someone who was dedicated to youth, understood the Youth Workforce Program, and knew how to connect with disenfranchised students. Kay set about meeting with all new students to see what their personal situation was and to find ways to reengage them. As a result, the students had a contact person at the school who checked in with them on a regular basis. If a student had an issue... together Kay and I worked out a plan to help resolve the situation. The success of the program is because of the diligence of Kay."
Cindy Wardlow is the Vocational Coordinator for the 5,300-student Kelso School District as well as a member of the Youth Council. She was nominated by Christine Katon of the ESD 112 Youth Workforce program in Cowlitz County. In her nomination, Katon wrote "Cindy promotes the YWP program with both her colleagues and the students, which helps raise awareness of our program and the importance of workforce preparedness education and training. After she refers (students) to our program, she continues to support them and work together with our program to ensure that they are getting the services they need and that together Kelso High and the Youth Workforce Program are providing the best, most comprehensive services and assistance that we can. I have repeatedly seen Cindy show an immense dedication to the success of the youth that we serve."
This is the first year for the Workforce Friendly Educator Award. Youth Council Chair Kay Dalke says the Council has plans to continue recognizing educators each year who are dedicated to ensuring youth reach their post-secondary goals. "Educators probably spend more time with our young people, who are our workforce pipeline, than any other adult outside of their family. Their role in helping students understand the importance of work and what it takes to be employable and successful is critical. These awards recognize those educators who not only help our students succeed, but help our businesses have skilled and motivated employees.
The SWWDC Board and the Youth Council provide oversight and sets policy to increase economic development, workforce training and educational assistance to students and young adults in Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties.