The Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees honored two employees of the Panther Valley School District by presenting them with special awards recently.

Carla Blazosky, a Title 1 teacher at the Panther Valley Elementary School, and Mary Ann Krajnak, an instructional aide at the elementary school, were recipients of Lauretta Woodson Recognition Awards.The presentations occurred during a meeting of the Panther Valley School Board.Lucinda Sabol, president of the Carbon County PASR, made the presentations.She said the award is given in the name of Dr. Lauretta Woodson, an educator born and raised in Chester. She taught English in the Eddystone School District and then became an instructor at Temple University for 25 years.Sabol said, "Dr. Woodson rose through the ranks of PASR and assumed many local and state positions in the organization. Upon her death, she bequeathed a sum of money to be used in support of public education.""Dr. Woodson felt it is especially important to recognize staff who consistently provide outstanding creativity, initiative and productivity relevant to the learning process of their students," she said.Blazosky has served with the district for 27 years.Sabol said the award recipient "is always a student-centered teacher and serves as a role model for younger staff members. She is a dedicated and caring professional and a definite asset to the district."Mary Figura, elementary principal, said Blazosky is a resident of Nesquehoning and a 1977 Panther Valley High School graduate.She is part of the Response to Instruction Team and the Positive Behavior Team.She has been teaching since 1986 in Panther Valley.Figura said of Blazosky, "She's actually the glue that holds together my language arts and reading programs."Krajnak is an instructional aide in the elementary school.Sabol said, "She has served in this position for eight years, always going above and beyond the call of duty. Mary Ann provides outstanding support to her colleagues, students, staff and administration."Figura said Krajnak is a 1975 Panther Valley High School graduate. During the summer, she is employed by Lansford Park and Recreation as manager of the Lansford Swimming Pool.The elementary principal said she asked Krajnak to work with the neediest reading students, and as a result of her efforts, those students "have shown tremendous growth this year."The Lauretta Woodson Recognition Awards include a framed citation, medallion, cash award and a lapel pin.Also participating in the presentation of the awards was Sandra Kokinda, past president of the local chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees."