LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Maryann Vosilla

Position: Secretary
School: Signal Hill Elementary School
School District: Half Hollow Hills Central School District
City, State: Dix Hills, NY

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Maryann Vosilla was nominated by an anonymous colleague.

Before going to work at Signal Hill Elementary School, Ms. Vosilla had a part time job as a bookkeeper. This position allowed her to volunteer in the community as a scout leader, PTA board member, and a dance mom. Suddenly, Ms. Vosilla became a single mother of her two daughters and needed to find a full-time job to support herself and her children. She soon became the Signal Hill Elementary School secretary.

"Now, instead of two kids, she has 640," the nominator said. "She knows every child’s name and their families. The children know if they need to call home or get help, they can find that help with Maryann."

Ms. Vosilla took over the secretary position 13 years ago and has completely changed the culture of her school for the better. In the past, teachers were often too shy to ask anything in the office, but ever since Ms. Vosilla became secretary, the office dynamic has completely changed. Whether she is scheduling meetings, connecting with parents, helping little ones solve a dilemma, or answering hundreds of phone calls, Ms. Vosilla does it all with a smile. She is often the first person that people connect with in the building and makes everyone feel welcomed.

"She is a computer whiz, always happy to lend a hand," the nominator said. "Maryann has been known to give impromptu lessons on Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and how to unjam the printer! She always has whatever you might need, a cough drop, safety pin, sewing needle and thread, a shoulder to cry on, whatever it takes to make it through the day. I don’t know how she finds the time to get everything done, but she is the backbone of our school community. I can’t imagine where we would be without her."

On the rare day that Ms. Vosilla is out sick, people often pop into the office wondering when she will be back.

"We are incredibly lucky that she came to Signal Hill," the nominator said. "Maryann works two jobs to support her daughters, and even though she works seven days a week, you would never know it from her disposition! She is not only the most capable, organized, competent secretary, she is also a warm, kind hearted person who makes our school a better place to be!"

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Comments (11)

Elizabeth Vassallo Posted over a year ago

Maryann is the most competent secretary I have ever met. No matter what you ask her, she knows the answer. On the rare occasion she doesn't have an immediate answer she will find out for you. To the children, she's a nurse, a mother and a friend. To the staff, she is priceless. She is the glue that holds the office together. Maryann is always there to listen to you, advise you, comfort you and laugh with you. Signal Hill is lucky to have her!

Kara Schwartz Posted over a year ago

Maryann is more than just Signal Hill's secretary. She is a smart, funny, compassionate, and kind lady. She answers phones, places substitutes in classrooms, works with teachers, paras, parents and children. Maryann is always there to listen to peoples stories, look at pictures, especially mine. She is a fabulous woman who has deserves this award. Thank you Maryann for all you do at Signal Hill and for making our school a great one!

Carol Callaghan Posted over a year ago

Signal Hill is beyond fortunate to have a smart, compassionate, organized, kind woman like Maryann in the role of secretary. She is constantly doing 20 things at once--answering the phone, sending emails, soothing worried parents and helping teachers who need immediate answers on the last minute of their prep period. When Maryann came to Signal Hill, the entire atmosphere of the office changed. We were welcome to ask questions and always were met with a smile, even when we knew she must have a million things to do. Maryann Vosilla is one of the most hard-working people I know, and is well-deserving of this nomination.

Dawn Giamalvo Posted over a year ago

Maryann goes above and beyond the scope of her job requirements. She has an incredibly kind heart and is invested in the relationships she has with the teachers and staff of Signa Hill. She is well deserving of this nomination and acknowledgement.

Eileen Gregory Posted over a year ago

Maryann Vosilla has the enormous responsibility of running an elementary school office. The office in an elementary school is like a crisis management center for the school, and Ms. Vosilla is always grace under fire. There is a constant flow of demands that inundate the office, and require immediate attention. Ms. Vosilla's ever-present smile and happy disposition make the school environment feel like a home. Parents, teachers, administrators, and children are constantly interrupting, while the phone is ringing, and other things are going on. This job requires an enormous amount of patience and understanding. Ms. Vosilla always has a kind word, or time to listen to problems that arise and offers support with kindness and sincerity. We all start our days better because Ms. Vosilla is a great source of support and enthusiasm. Ms. Vosilla deserves the recognition offered by this award, and a great deal of thanks!

Ellen Wilson Posted over a year ago

Maryann has "rescued me " on more than one occasion. When I have made errors with scheduling or am running late for a meeting , Maryann is my "go to". She helps me rectify situations and never makes me feel uncomfortable when I need her help. She has a positive attitude even when the office is jam packed and she is juggling ten things at one time ! There have been may times throughout my life here at Signal Hill that I have had a sudden medical emergency and have had to leave the building at the drop of a hat. Maryann is always so understanding in these situations even though they become a scheduling nightmare for her. She even offered to drive me to the hospital one time when I was ill at school. I am thankful for having Maryann as not only a friendly face each and everyday but also as a friend.

Leigh Salvage Posted over a year ago

Maryann is extremely helpful to everyone at Signal Hill. If I ever have a question or a need, I know that I can count on her to help me. Everything she does, she does with a smile! She absolutely deserves this honor.

Mike Falen Posted over a year ago

Maryann is ok! We'll, let me define ok. An ok person is one who shows up to work on time with a smile. A person who greets me each morning, meanwhile there are a ton of things already on her plate for the day. She is answering phones, placing substitutes in their classrooms, working with teachers, paras, parents and children alike. Throughout the day, she continues to smile although her hectic day continues. In the face of any emergency, she remains calm and focused on a way to improve the situation. Maryann is ALWAYS there to listen to peoples stories and nine out of ten times gives a chuckle at some point, which always makes a person feel good. My own mother was a secretary in an elementary school, so I know how difficult the job is. If you don't believe me, I dare you to sub for her for just ONE day. You have to be organized and efficient. Maryann is both. The job is intense but she does it with class each day. She is thoughtful, caring, dedicated, professional, smart, and an absolute ray of sunshine in the main office. I'm sure she works just as hard at her next job. Yes, she has a second job. Where does she get the energy? Alright, I guess she is a little more than ok! She is an awesome person who has deserves this award very much!! Thanks Maryann for all you do at Signal Hill Elementary School.

Lynda Posted over a year ago

I was fortunate enough to begin working in Maryann's building when my building closed. It was nerve-wracking to be in a new place after working in my previous school for 17 years. Maryann welcomed me with a smile, as she always does, and I knew everything would be alright. She is helpful, organized and just plain pleasant to be around, even when work gets stressful. We are lucky to have her in our main office.

Eileen Gregory Posted over a year ago

Ms. Vosilla totally transformed our school's office from a place of dread to a place where you feel happy to start your day. Since the school office is like the crisis management system of the building, it is often a very stressful place to be. Maryann is always grace under fire. She keeps the office climate positive, calm and solution-oriented. She is a great listener, and truly cares about all of the people she comes into contact with. She is focused on helping parents, teachers, and administrators to help the children in the building by working together as a team. Ms. Vosilla plays a pivotal role in helping everyone's day run smoothly. I am hopeful she will receive the appreciation and recognition she deserves.

Mary Picarello Posted over a year ago

As a teacher at Signal Hill, Maryann is my "go to" for everything! I have worked with other secretaries, and Maryann is simply the best. Since she took over, the environment in the office has changed. It is now a place where people gather and connect. She runs the office like a well-oiled machine, and it's true, on those rare occasions when she is absent, we feel the difference. Maryann is very deserving of this great honor.