BOCES honors employees of the year

Orleans/Niagara BOCES named their employees for the 2011-2012 school year at opening day ceremonies on Sept. 4.

Kara Kirk was named Teacher of the Year, Ellie Zorich was named Teacher Aide of the Year, Anedda Trautman was named Administrator of the Year, Diane Edwards was named Clerical person of the Year, Leonard Standish was named Maintenance person of the Year and Joanne Werth was named Substitute of the Year. Fellow staff members nominated the winners.

Kirk has been a counselor at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center for 10 years.

“My favorite part of my job, in short, is the people,” she said. “I love working with the students. No day is the same and it is so exciting to watch the students grow and succeed. I am glad to be part of that process. I also love the staff I work with. I am part of a great team and I admire and respect them all. We are like a family here; they make the tough times better and the good times great.”

Zorich started out as an adult student in the Early Childhood Education Program. She was thrilled after she graduated from Niagara County Community College to be asked to be the teacher aide of that program. Twelve years later she is still thrilled to be part of it.

“I love working with the students and watching them interact with the preschoolers,” she said. “It really helps them to determine if this is the career for them or not. That is what we are here for; to help them make that decision. I also love working with the teacher Chris Burdick. She is awesome.”

She was really touched to be named the teacher aide of the year.

“It was a real honor and it means a lot that my peers voted for me,” said Zorich.

Trautman has been working at BOCES for 11 years. She started as a teacher and is now the administrator at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center.

“My favorite part of my job is the staff, students and the parents,” said Trautman. “I also love the amazing things that happen in career and technical education. Where else can you accomplish everything under one roof.”

She says she shares her award with some incredible people.

“I am truly honored by this award and I share it with my staff as it takes a team to effectively and efficiently achieve success,” she said.

Edwards has worked in the Business Office for eleven years as the senior account clerk.

“I don’t know if there is one aspect of my job that is my favorite I think it is a combination of liking the work I do, the diversity of my duties and having great coworkers that makes me enjoy my job,” she said.

She was also very surprised when her name was announced opening day.

Standish has been working in the maintenance department for almost 14 years.

“My favorite part of the job is my coworkers and the staff,” said Standish. “It makes it a great place to work. When the named me the maintenance person of the year I was so surprised. I really did not have a clue that it was going to be me. It is really nice to be recognized.”

Werth has substituted for BOCES for 15 years.

“I worked at BOCES 17 years before I retired and I love coming back here,” she said.

She primarily works as a teacher aide at North Tonawanda High School with the Life Skills students.

“I really like the people there and really enjoy their company and the students are great,” said Werth. “It is a real honor to work with them all.”