— The Eaton Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) recently announced that MaryEllen Brocklehurst, who serves as the Career Preparation Center student services coordinator and counselor, has been named the 2020 SkillsUSA Michigan Advisor of the Year. The SkillsUSA Advisor of the Year program recognizes professional members who support SkillsUSA’s mission of empowering students to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.

Brocklehurst has served as the SkillsUSA advisor for the center for the past 21 years. In this role, she works with instructors, administration and the board of education to coordinate the logistics of regional, state and national competitions, often giving up her own school breaks to be with students for their competitions. She also works with the students, preparing them for leadership events by organizing mock interviews, job shadow experiences and supporting students as they prepare for their competition presentations and speeches.

“MaryEllen (Brocklehurst) continues to be a counselor, mentor and advocate for each of our students, whether they are on her caseload or not,” said Kathleen Szuminski, assistant superintendent for career and technical education for Eaton RESA. “She has a passion for working with nontraditional students, particularly girls interested in entering a male dominated career and technical education field and has successfully nominated several students for the State of Michigan Department of Education Breaking Traditions Award.”


Article submitted by Eaton RESA.


PHOTO INFO:

MaryEllen Brocklehurst is shown with Career Preparation Center students at a SkillsUSA competition.