Autry Technology Center instructor Cheryl Licklider has been named National Educator of the Year for teaching graphics and printing.

Licklider has taught at Autry since 1993.

“I was shocked,” she said.

Licklider said the award is an annual event by the national printing industry organization called Printing Industry of America. Her print program has been certified by them since she started teaching. The organization helps keep up with industry standards by evaluating curriculum, equipment and facilities to make sure they meet industry standards, making certain the program stays up to date. They also evaluate the instructor by interviewing students and looking at job placement to make sure they are actually training and placing students in graphics and printing-related jobs.

Printing Industry of America is a group of business leaders who perform training for people in the industry to keep them up to speed, she said.

“It’s neat because I will receive the award at their graphic show in Chicago, the largest in the United States, and the second largest in the world,” she said. “I’ve only been there one time.”

The show is filled with displays from graphics and printing vendors like Adobe, Macintosh and Heidelberg, manufacturers of printing and graphics equipment.

Licklider considers herself an Enid native, moving here at age 7. She attended Phillips University and received a bachelor’s degree preparing to be an elementary school teacher but was disappointed by the salary.

“They don’t tell you that you won’t get paid anything. I worked in a print shop in college and when I graduated in 1980, teachers’ salaries ranged from $9,000 a year to $12,000. I made $20,000 working at a print shop in college so I stayed in the industry,” she said.

Licklider managed a printing company in Enid and was on the advisory committee at Autry Technology Center’s graphics and printing program when the teaching position came open. She applied and was hired.

Licklider teaches everything from graphics and printing from design to using software, Adobe Creative Suite, digital photography, offset printing, press operation and bindery operations.

When she began teaching at Autry, she returned to school at Oklahoma State University and received a master’s degree in adult education.

Licklider also covers motor sports at Enid Speedway Park for the News & Eagle.