Name: Dr. Judy Whitaker
Occupation: Career Counselor/CTE Coordinator
Employment History: Career Counselor/CTE Coordinator, Taylorsville High School (1993-Present); Guidance Counselor, Cyprus High School (1990-1993); Spanish Teacher, Bonneville JHS (1987-1990)
Education: PhD, Educational Leadership and Policy, University of Utah (anticipated December 2005); MEd, School Counseling, University of Utah (1994); MEd, Education, University of Utah (1974)
ACTE Involvement:
Division: ACTE Guidance Division Acting Vice President (2004-2005); Guidance Division Program Chair (2002); Guidance Division Policy Board (2001-2003); Guidance Division Awards Chair (2001, 2002)
Region: ACTE Region V Presenter-2000, 2001, 2002, 2005; Region V Policy Committee, (2001-2004); Region V Conference Co-Chair (2001)
Other National, State and Local Involvement: Assembly of Delegates (1995-2005); National Policy Seminar (2001-2005); Presenter at ACTE Conference-(1996-2004); UACTE Executive Committee, Executive Secretary (2001-2005); UACTE President (2000-2001); President Utah School Counselor Association (1998-1999) and (1996-1997); ASCA Leadership Development Institute (1996-2000); ASCA Advocacy and Public Policy Seminar (1996-2000); Counselor of the Year, Utah School Counselor Association (1998)
Platform Statement:
Thank you for the opportunity to run for ACTE Guidance Division Vice President. There has never been a more critical time for career and technical education. I am firmly rooted in the belief that guidance is the centerpiece of career and technical education programs and in the belief that ACTE, as an organization, is essential to the continued growth of CTE programs and professionals.
A few years ago, while visiting SequoiaNational Park, as we stood admiring the magnificent, giant trees, the ranger asked us if we knew why Sequoia trees grow in groves? The trees are not single, nor isolated, instead, they grow in clusters. The naturalist explained, “They look tall and independent, but underground, their roots are connected.”
That is the secret. Their roots are intertwined, they depend on each other for support. They get strength from being together. Underground, their roots are connected! As career educators we are like the Sequoia trees. We are all independent and unique. We have different assignments, different responsibilities but our association, our connectedness, holds us up. Our roots are connected!
The message is clear. We need each other. We need to work together. I would be honored to represent guidance and counseling professionals as we all work toward the larger career and technical education goals of career development for all people.
