Confidential employees play a key role in the operation of school districts. These are the people who assist district leaders and – among their job duties – may be privy to confidential information, often involving collective bargaining. Many a superintendent or deputy superintendent finds that having a good confidential employee is integral to executing their own jobs to the best of their ability.
One of the best of these is Claudia Vicino, administrative assistant to the superintendent in Empire Union School District. For her accomplishments she is being recognized as ACSA’s 2009 Confidential Employee of the Year.
Vicino has worked in a number of support positions in her career, including substitute teacher caller, school secretary, personnel secretary, personnel specialist, and executive administrative assistant to deputy and district superintendents. She is lauded for her organization and follow-through abilities and her expert management of cabinet and management team agendas.
Nobody likes to hear from irate parents. Yet, these types of calls can end up with a positive impact, when they are handled with a deft touch. Vicino was cited in her nomination for her exemplary work with this challenging aspect of the job.
Vicino is well aware she is often a person’s first contact with the district office, so as the district’s representative she strives to respond with professionalism and treat each caller with respect in order to create a positive impression.
“Sometimes parents just call to vent – they want someone to listen,” Vicino said. “When irate parents call, I try to get as much information as possible so I can direct their call to the proper person or make sure they have followed the proper procedures before contacting the district office. No matter how challenging the call, I love to help parents find effective solutions to their problems, issues and concerns. My job is all about people and relationships centered on one common goal – helping students to learn and succeed.”
In addition to being an invaluable district employee, Vicino has long been an ACSA leader, both on the state and region levels. Among her state ACSA activities have been a three-year stint on the Board of Directors, two years on the ACSA Awards Committee, a year on the ACSA Leadership Summit Planning Committee and her current position as a member of the Classified Educational Leaders Council.
At the region level, Vicino served as president of Region 7 in 2005-06, and has served on many regional committees and groups. As region president, one of Vicino’s notable accomplishments was the expansion of the region and charter Every Student Succeeding program. She still plays a key role, annually co-chairing the ESS recognition event in Stanislaus County.
“It is an amazing event that allows us to recognize these special students who have faced tremendous obstacles in their lives and through hard work and the support of caring educators they are able to succeed at school,” Vicino said. “The ESS recognition program is probably the most gratifying activity I am involved with. It warms my heart to see the smiles on the students’ faces when they are recognized for their accomplishments.”
Vicino noted that between 15 and 20 students are honored each year in Stanislaus County. With a helping hand from the ACSA Stanislaus Charter, the Stanislaus County Office of Education, local businesses, and state senators and Assembly members, a recognition breakfast is held with a complimentary meal provided to the students and their guests, certificates of recognition, various gift certificates and a recognition poster.
Another regional event that Vicino enjoys is working on the CEL Fall Workshop, hosted by the Region 7 CEL Council. “Our annual CEL Fall Workshop has become very successful and is renowned throughout the region and the state,” she said. “The workshop includes dinner and a keynote speaker that addresses topics relative to administrators and their support staff.”
Last year more than 600 administrators and classified employees attended the workshop.
“It is an excellent opportunity for administrators to spend a special evening with their support staff and say ‘thank you’ for all their hard work and dedication,” Vicino said. “I have had the pleasure of working on this event for about 10 years. We are very proud of its success and the support we receive from the many districts in our region.”
Vicino is one of those special people who reach out and recruit new members to the ACSA fold. She said it’s an easy process; she simply shares with potential members the key role ACSA has played in her own career.
“ACSA has been and continues to be an integral part of my career,” Vicino said. “It has helped me increase my skills and expertise through the professional development opportunities; it gives me access to a network of job-alike professionals that provide me with a leadership support system; it keeps me informed by providing ongoing communication and publications about changes and trends in education and my profession; it provides access to networks and listserves where I can get help with my day-to-day challenges; and most importantly, it has provided me with the opportunity to develop friendships with so many people who have become colleagues and lifelong friends.”
Vicino finds time for all this ACSA activity even as she also volunteers a lot of time to her district, commun-ity and profession. She chairs the district United Way campaign; has co-chaired the Stanislaus COE Employees Making a Difference program; annually participates in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and volunteers for the Salvation Army.
“I have always felt that being a responsible citizen means giving back to your community,” she said. “It is something that I feel strongly about. And now that my sons have gone off to college, I have the extra time to volunteer.
“I joined Rotary over a year ago and our very active club has allowed me the opportunity to do public service in my community. I serve breakfast to the homeless once a month at the Salvation Army. I also serve as the advisor to a group of Rotary Interact service club students at a local high school. It is wonderful to interact with these young adults and help them learn the importance of developing leadership skills and understanding the value of individual responsibility, hard work and community service. My volunteer work also allows me to help people that are less fortunate than me, and hopefully I am making a difference in their lives.”
With all these accomplishments on her résumé, it seems as if this award is long overdue. Yet Vicino said she is very humbled and grateful to have received the recognition.
“To receive an award for something that I love to do every day is amazing,” she said. “I could not be successful in my position without the support of a wonderful superintendent, a talented and committed management team, and the most amazing co-workers. I feel very blessed and I am very grateful to ACSA to receive this award. It is definitely one of the most memorable moments in my career.”
ACSA’s Administrators of the Year will be honored during the Leadership Summit, Nov. 5-7 in Sacramento. Click here for more information or to register for the summit.
Visit www.acsa.org/leadershipsummit.