ACTE Announces Arizona Counselor as National Award Finalist

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2019

Contact: Jarrod Nagurka
jnagurka@acteonline.org, 703-683-9312

ACTE Announces Arizona Counselor as National Award Finalist

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Lori Luzier, Lead School Counselor at Dysart Unified School District – Valley Vista High School of Surprise, Arizona, as the recipient of the 2019 ACTE Region V Career Guidance Award. This award recognizes school counselors and career development professionals who have demonstrated commitment to connecting students with opportunities for success, shown innovation in career exploration and development, and have advocated for career and technical education (CTE) as a viable option for all students.

Luzier had the opportunity to teach Business and Marketing for eight years at her alma mater, and to advise for both FBLA and DECA.  During her tenure as a DECA adviser, Luzier’s program grew both state and national winners. In 2001, Luzier earned her Master of Arts in Education, School Counseling. Luzier’s background in CTE and school counseling became the perfect recipe for advocating for students and programs, while providing a unique perspective on career pathways. She understood the benefits of CTE programs and the impact it could have on students as they navigated their own course through high school and on to postsecondary opportunities.

Luzier was also an ACTEAz fellow. The program provided many opportunities for her to advocate for students and programs at the local, state and national level. As an advocate on the national level, Luzier had the opportunity to highlight Arizona’s CTE students and request continued support for CTE program funding at ACTE’s National Policy Seminar. Talking with state legislators about Arizona’s students’ successes and challenges reaffirms the importance of the role that school counselors play in the career development of students. Lastly, Luzier’s professional journey has afforded her many opportunities to present at numerous state and regional conferences. Networking with other school counselors and educational stakeholders to discuss best practices and how to bring together school counselors and CTE programs is a top priority for Luzier.

Luzier is one of five finalists for the 2020 national title. The national winner will be announced at the ACTE Awards Gala, a dinner and award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event will take place on Wednesday evening, December 4, during ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2019 in Anaheim, CA. The Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox, CareerSafe, and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.

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About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.