Avon Lake Administrator Promoted In Ohio National Guard

AVON LAKE, OH — For Avon Lake High Assistant Principal Adam Slabodnick, the journey to joining the Ohio National Guard started serendipitously.

In 2018, Slabodnick was a physical education teacher. A recruiter from the Ohio National Guard asked to speak to Slabodnick's class, and the educator agreed. He was riveted by the presentation.

"I asked more questions than the students did," he told Patch. By June 2018, he was a specialist in the Ohio National Guard.

For two years, Slabodnick trained with the Guard and helped prepare teams being sent out to deal with natural disasters. His athletics regimen inspired his coursework in the district.

"I came back with some good training techniques and motivation tactics for my students," he said. "When they see Mr. S can do these things, then they can do these things. I’d get out there with the kids and do as much as I can while keeping safety in the classroom."

Now that he's an administrator at the high school, he feels more confident as a leader and team-builder. He's willing to do whatever it takes to help his colleagues. He's also more able to inspire students.

"I hold these kids to a higher regard, and I set high expectations for them. I make sure they strive to be the best they can be," he said.

Slabodnick's also excelling as a member of the Ohio National Guard. Over the weekend, he was promoted from specialist to corporal. He hopes to make sergeant soon. In the mean time, he'll keep helping the Avon Lake Schools be everything they can be.