Novi Schools Staffers Receive Awards

From Novi Community School District: Passion, dedication, and a deep caring for students led to a pair of Novi Community School District employees picking up prestigious awards this week.

Community Education assistant Tanya Vuichard and Adult and Alternative Education coordinator Linda Cianferra were recognized for their diligent work during the Michigan Association of Community and Adult Education’s annual conference held in Grand Rapids, Oct. 15-18.

Vuichard, a district employee since 1998, was named Support Staff Person of the Year, while Cianferra received the Outstanding Educator Award.

During her tenure in the district, Vuichard has had many different opportunities to work in community education and other school district departments. For the past five years, she has been the assistant to Community Education director Bob Steeh, who said, “I have developed an enormous respect for her people skills and her ability to complete every task in an efficient and effective manner. Her number one goal every day is customer services.”

Vuichard is always open to accepting new challenges and job responsibilities. Recently, the Community Education Department took on the responsibility of being the central registrar for the district. Her reputation as a go-to person for getting things done for everyone she comes in contact with made Vuichard the ideal individual to take point of the new registration initiative.

“I am thrilled that Ms. Vuichard is being recognized,” Superintendent Dr. Steve Matthews said. “She is a tremendous asset in our community education office where she is a positive partner in providing great service to our community and to our staff. She helps keep all the plates spinning so that our programs continue to meet the needs of our community.”

Cianferra has worked in Novi since 2012 when she joined the district as an Adult Education manager. She’s responsible for working with Novi’s English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers to help strengthen the curriculum which is aligned with Michigan’s state curriculum guidelines. Novi’s scores continue to exceed state requirement in ESL performance in all levels.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Linda for the past 14 years has an active member of MACAE and now our Novi coordinator,” Steeh said. “During this period, I developed an enormous respect for her people skills and her ability to always meet every issue with passion and enthusiasm. I also became acutely aware of her counseling skills with our students, as well as the many hours she would work to enhance adult education and student performance.”

Cianferra has also strengthened the Adult/Alternative Education program by forging strong partnerships with Michigan Works and Novi businesses by establishing a vibrate school/business council, which meets once a month to help support student success.

“Ms. Cianferra supports students who have taken an alternative route through our educational system,” Matthews said. “She knows and understands that everyone needs a chance and she works relentlessly to provide those opportunities to students in our adult and alternative educational programs.”

The MACAE is an advocate group that was formed in 1983 to provide a cohesive framework for community education through collaboration and guidance at the local, state and federal level.

Image Courtesy of Novi Schools