UCS teacher honored for making a difference

Utica Community Schools is proud to recognize Candace Ivy, Early Childhood Special Education teacher for students with physical impairments at Plumbrook Elementary, as a recipient of this year’s “Make a Difference” Award.

Each year, the Macomb County Parent Advisory Committee of the Macomb Intermediate School District offers parents the opportunity to nominate an educator who has made a significant impact on their child’s school experience.

This is the sixth consecutive year a Utica Community Schools educator received this award.

Ivy was nominated by Karen Cole and Heidi Rohrbec, who both have children in her program.

Ivy has always taught young children with special needs at the preschool level for Utica Community Schools since she began her career in 1999. She spent six years working in the Early Childhood Special Education Programs where she served students with a variety of learning challenges.

As much as she excelled in this work, she took on a new challenge to work with students who have more severe physical needs. This educational setting allows her to provide the type of intense early intervention needed and work with a team of occupational therapists, physical therapists and nursing services personnel in a coordinated program of support.