Page 14 - The Paduan: Winter 2020

MyTrack® Program Expands to Include Law Track
Padua created its MyTrack® program in 2017 to connect our students with their potential career interests and to expose them to a given career both inside
and outside of the classroom. The four-year programs offer hands-on experiences and exploration opportunities to further develop their interests in a potential college major.
“I’m excited that Padua is now able to offer a comprehensive program to students who are interested in law careers,” said Ms. Lora Winger, MyTrack Law faculty champion. “This is a wonderful opportunity for students to delve into the
area of law by participating in law competitions, listening to speakers in the
field, especially Padua alum, and visiting law-related sites such as the Justice Center, the Cleveland Police Museum, and the Ohio Supreme Court.”
RIGOROUS CURRICULUM
21ST CENTURY SKILL SETS
The five pillars of
CAREER
EXPLORATION
(INCLUDING SPEAKER SERIES OF PROFESSIONALS AND SHADOWING OPPORTUNITIES)
PROFESSIONALISM
(SUCH AS SOFT SKILLS, INTERVIEWING, TIME MANAGEMENT AND SPEAKING WITH CONFIDENCE)
PROJECT- BASED CLUBS FOR HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN THOSE FIELDS
Padua now has five MyTrack Programs or tracks in Business Entrepreneurship, Computer Science, Engineering, Studio Art, and new this year, Law.
New MyTrack Director
This year, in order to truly enhance the program, we have created a director-level position to work with the faculty champions of each program and to ensure all elements of the five pillars of the program. Padua is excited to welcome Madonna Ross ’89 as the first ever MyTrack Director. “Donna is certainly a valued member of the Padua community and a great addition to our school,” said Principal Stec. Mrs. Ross has served as a member of the Board of Trustees, including being the chairperson
of the board. She is the mother of two Padua graduates Hanna ’17 and Jacob ’20. “I am so excited to come back home to Padua and start my new role as the Director of the MyTrack Program. I look forward to working with our dedicated faculty, staff and alumni as we help our students along their journey of career exploration and preparation,” said Ross.
“Donna embraces the charisms of Padua and truly understands who we are and where we want to go,” Stec said. “She is an extremely successful business woman who brings a wealth of knowledge and connections to this new role. I know under her guidance that the MyTrack program will continue
to provide a premier educational experience for our students.” A new office on the first floor has been renovated to house both the MedTrack and MyTrack directors.
On its own, Padua’s premier college-prep curriculum provides a great foundation for college and beyond, and MyTrack is a completely optional program. However, some students prefer to enhance their high school experience by taking advantage of this program, focusing deeply on an area of their passion. About 50% of incoming students are participating in one of the current MyTrack options or have been selected into the MedTrack® program. Students have the opportunity to select a MyTrack option at the beginning of their freshman year and can easily transfer over to another option if they discern that they are not truly interested in that field.
Padua modeled the MyTrack program on the successful MedTrack program. “People make the difference,” said Stec. “The MedTrack program is successful and dynamic because of the teachers involved and the leadership of Laurie Grabowski ’89, the program’s director,” elaborated Stec. “When you hire great people to lead strong programs, they help others find their greatness,” he continued. “I know Donna will bring MyTrack to the next level and help our students define their passions.”
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Law