Amid the holiday-themed Media Center, Lucerne Valley Elementary School librarian technician Candyce Tillis was given the classified Employee of the Month award during Thursday’s school board meeting.
Superintendent Peter Livingston presented the award, sharing words from the nominators, LVES Principal Ricky Anderson and Assistant Principal Joanna Mora.
“This year’s elementary school reopening involved many key players who worked to ensure a prepared start for students and staff,” Mr. Livingston said. “One important member of our team, Candyce Tillis, our library technician, made sure we had the right number of textbooks and curriculum for our students and teachers had the correct instructional materials to start off the year.
“Candyce has done a lot this year to keep literature in the students hands and provide them with opportunities to read books at home. Early in the year, she developed a library schedule so the students could check out books safely and came up with a system so that students on distance learning could check out items from home. Another activity she did was held an online book fair for the site so students would still have an opportunity to purchase books to read at their leisure.
“When it comes to spirit days, she is often dressed up and going above and beyond; these actions are attributed to her love for our students and her wanting to create memorable experiences for them. Before COVID, Mrs. Tillis treated younger students with a story where they could draw along as they listened and make pictures of the main characters and the plot. To keep that tradition alive, she records herself reading a story and sends them out to teachers for the students to listen.”
Additionally, Mrs. Tillis works for the site’s Afterschool All-Stars program, where she helps students and provides enriching activities.
“The elementary site is grateful to have such a dedicated, efficient, and friendly library technician.”
Middle School teacher Jessica Haecker’s Employee of the Month award presentation, originally scheduled for this month, was moved to January.
PHOTO: Candyce Tillis, center, was given the Employee of the Month award during Thursday's school board meeting. Pictured, from left, are Superintendent Peter Livingston, school board member Chelsea LaGrange, school board president Tom Courtney, Candyce Tillis, school board vice-president Jessica Risler, and school board member Jim Harvey. Photo courtesy of Douglas Beaton