Orleans/Niagara BOCES names Employees of the Year
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – The Orleans/Niagara BOCES recently named its Employees of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year.
Employees are nominated by their peers and a committee selects an awardee in each of these categories: Administrator, Clerical, Continuing Education, Custodial/Maintenance, Staff Specialist, Substitute, Teacher Aide and Teacher.
Melanie Conley is the Administrator of the Year. Conley is the Director of Business Services and has worked at O/N BOCES for seven and a half years.
When asked what her favorite part of her job she answered, “As I thoroughly love what I do, it is difficult to narrow it down to one particular aspect. My favorite part is leading the business office, facilities, technology and print shop operations and knowing that all of these functions play a critical role in our students’ obtaining a first-rate education. Another favorite part of my job includes being a resource for our component school districts when they may have a need or question in which they may be looking for direction. I also love the good people and the relationships that I have been able to establish with our Orleans/Niagara BOCES and component district staff! We have great people working hard every day to give our area students the best educational opportunities possible.”
Conley adds that she is humbled and honored by the recognition.
Kristen Strassburg is the Clerical Person of the Year. A school nurse at the Niagara Academy, she has worked at that site for the past 20 years.
“I love working with the kids and the staff,” Strassburg said. “I have made some fantastic connections with many of them and have made lifelong friends at the school. There is something so special and magical about the Niagara Academy and I love how we work together as a team to help these students achieve their goals.”
She said she is honored at being named an employee of the year. “I believe I am the first school nurse to win in this category. I work with such an amazing group of school nurses, so I hope I am the first of many to win. They are truly the best and I look forward to our staff development day once a year. It is really the best day of the school year for me.”
Katie Carlisle-Diemert is the Continuing Education Employee of the Year. She has worked as an Adult Literacy teacher in the incarceration program at Niagara County Jail since 2013. “I worked in the business world for a long time before I came to work for BOCES,” she said. “The satisfaction of going home each day having helped another person change their life for the better is very powerful. It is like nothing you can get from corporate America. Watching people and helping people to make positive life change is my favorite part of my job.”
She said she is surprised and thankful about the honor. “I never expected to win this. I am appreciative that my colleagues have noticed the effort I put into my work and that they believe I make a difference.”
Colleen Bronschidle is the Custodian/Maintenance Person of the Year. She has been a custodian worker at the Niagara Academy since 2005. Before that she ran the school’s kitchen for five years and was eventually hired by BOCES in 2010.
“I started out as a teacher aide and substitute cleaner,” she said. “I then went on to a full-time cleaner than custodian at the Niagara Academy. My favorite part of the job is the people I work with every day. They are like extended family to me. I was shocked to receive Employee of the Year. I am very proud of my job and I love the atmosphere at Niagara Academy. I would like to thank everyone for the opportunity and let them know I appreciate it very much.”
Sheldon Somas is the Staff Specialist of the Year. Sheldon has worked at BOCES for ten years. He was shocked and surprised that he won Employee of the Year. “The best part of my job is working with my co-workers in the Tech Department.”
Mary Kuhn is the Teacher of the Year. She is a music educator with the special education students and has taught at BOCES since October 1996.
“The most enjoyable aspect of my job is connecting with my students through different elements of music,” Kuhn said. “They are amazing, and teaching them something I am passionate about if truly awarding. I must acknowledge the incredible support from the staff who work alongside me in guiding our students. Without the dedicated aides and personal care aides, this wouldn’t be possible.”
Antonia Newell is the Teacher Aide of the Year. She has worked at BOCES for 17 years. “I absolutely love my job, coworkers and students! I am so humbled to be chosen for this and so excited. I am very thankful!”
Deborah MacIver was named the Substitute of the Year. MacIver worked as a teacher aide with O/N BOCES since 2016. When she retired in 2023, she started substituting for the organization.
