Tina Veilleux
Position: School Nurse / District School Nurse Coordinator
School: Howard Reiche Community School
School District: Portland Public Schools
City, State: Portland, ME
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Tina Veilleux was nominated by her colleague, Rebecca Bell.
Ms. Veilleux is a reliable and thoughtful person with one of the most calm and caring demeanors you could find amongst school nurses. You would be hard pressed to notice that she oversees 12 nurses practicing in five elementary, three middle, and three high schools serving a total of 7,000 students, the largest school district in the state. In addition to this, she maintains her own school nurse practice in one of the elementary schools, a school with approximately 500 students. Almost 70% of her school's students are eliglble for free and reduced lunch, half are students of color, and over a third are English Language Learners. Ms. Veilleux knows her students, their families, and her support staff. She builds relationships with the school community to maximize the support available to the school. She is proactive in engaging with the district's multilingual and multicultural center to understand how to provide culturally sensitive support to students and families.
As the district nurse coordinator, Ms. Veilleux brings exceptional leadership to her role. She has built a strong collaborative culture among her nursing colleagues to provide consistent, high-quality support throughout the district. This is truly an understatement!
"Each of us not only has distinct and different personalities, but we each bring a unique style of professionalism and regard to our nursing practice in our individual schools. Each school has its own culture, temperament and population," said Bell. "Tina is respectful of each and every one of us and has the capacity to listen well to all of our issues, concerns, hopes, and challenges in our day-to-day encounters with students, families, and our community. She is a strong advocate for the nursing team while cognizant of maximizing resources and staying as efficient as possible."
Ms. Veilleux attends school committee meetings to stay informed and insure the health of students remains forefront in both policymaking and budget discussions. She's a valuable member of the Portland Education Association (PEA) and serves on the PEA Negotiating team. She has been a tireless advocate for school nurses and support staff alike. Ms. Veilleux has a reserved and respectful demeanor, making her an effective leader that earns the respect and admiration from administrators and faculty alike. She's a great listener to everyone who comes her way and is a great facilitator of conversation.
Even before - but particularly during - the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Veilleux has been the key spoke in the public health wheel of her school district. She has strong relationships with the state Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC). She vetted all of her district's procedures and policies prior to rolling them out and works tirelessly in tandem with Greater Portland Health, the local FQHC (Fed. Qualified Health Center) that oversees her district's four school-based clinics.
"The pandemic has forced us all to pivot our practices and stay particularly nimble," said Bell. "Tina is aware of the impact all the changes can have on so many of us, yet she has been unflappable, smart, deliberative, and a good communicator. She also has a very good sense of dry humor. A few times during the past year, she has created some very funny, self-effacing videos of herself which have left us all in hysterics!"
As district nurse coordinator, Ms. Veilleux is responsible for maintaining equipment such as AED’s, CPR equipment, and audiometers and other screening supplies. She has been the flu clinic coordinator for the district since 2017. From 2015-2018, she worked with Essilor to coordinate a formal eyeglass program for students. This initiative required setting up complicated bus transportation for students from all schools so they could be fitted for and retrieve their glasses. It required multiple team players, which Ms. Veilleux coordinated, for the benefit of roughly 700 students. She also sets up yearly CPR and First Aid training for all the bus drivers/transportation staff in her large district.
Student nurses are utilized to assist with vision screenings in all of the district's schools. Ms. Veilleux collaborates with the nursing programs at two universities and one college in Maine. This promotes helpful partnerships and an educational experience. She also sets up mentoring opportunities at the various grade levels for senior nursing students, pairing them up with school nurses for seven-week experiences.
Ms. Veilleux schedules monthly Professional Development meetings for her district's nurses. During these meetings, members of the greater Portland healthcare community share their expertise on relevant topics, such as Narcan administration, asthma support for low-income families, tobacco and vaping issues, and interpretation of new marijuana laws. She arranges for her colleagues to have twice-yearly round table forums with the school physician, who provides current information and best practices for specific health issues the nurses are seeing with their students and in the community.
Ms. Veilleux stays current in her own professional development by facilitating and attending the aforementioned PD meetings. She also attends staff development sessions at her home school focusing on social-emotional learning, equity, trauma-informed practices, and building safety. She keeps current by reading NASN journals and publications and attending Maine Association of School Nurses (MASN)-sponsored continuing education opportunities, both within her district and the School Nurse Summer Institute.
It is particularly noteworthy that Ms. Veilleux utilized research extensively to inform the Superintendent as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded. She was asked to serve on the district’s COVID-19 Crisis Response Team, which consisted of all building principals and senior administration. She attended online meetings with the state school nurse consultant and gathered appropriate and clear information/data from both the Maine CDC and her school physician in order to help senior administrators make the correct call regarding school building closure in March 2020.
Ms. Veilleux worked closely with the Multicultural and Multilingual leadership to help provide accurate translation resources related to COVID-19. Many immigrant families are at risk for misinformation due to their prior trauma history and language difficulties. Ms. Veilleux is constantly providing up-to-date information to school leaders as the pandemic progresses. Additionally, she maintains the district’s health webpage and has developed a health/school nurse webpage for Reiche.
Throughout all of these endeavors, Ms. Veilleux never seeks the limelight or recognition, but quietly advocates so strongly for her students and nurse colleagues. She is deserving of so much more recognition. She truly has been a LifeChanger and life-saver for those she cares for and leads in her district and community!
When our family started at Reiche, Nurse Tina was something of a legend, one that I didn’t understand. Sure, school nurses are important, but so are teachers, counselors, principals, and other adults who work with children. Parents talked about Nurse Tina, and about their conversations with her, as if she was their family’s personal healthcare consultant. She knew every family member, remembered every sick tummy, and was kind and patient with every boo boo. It finally dawned on me that Tina’s supper power is her about to make every person - parent or student - feel heard, cared for, and loved. When dealing with 500 people, and over the years thousands of people, this truly is a super power. I’m so grateful she is leading our community.
I've had the opportunity to get to know Nurse Tina during my last four years on the Portland School Board and as the current chair as well as in her role as the school nurse at Reiche School, where I've had children for the last 10 years. Nurse Tina is an unflappable and compassionate district leader. In particular, she guided our district throughout the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic with a steady hand, which gave myself and other school board members confidence to make policy decisions during a highly uncertain time. Her leadership during the pandemic has been reassuring and inspiring. And, at the very same time, Nurse Tina helped my own family and so many others at Reiche School navigate cases of COVID-19. Tina is a generous person who does not seek the limelight. She is so deserving of this award!
As a parent of Reiche student and a physician, I admire nurse Tina tremendeously. Her compassion and kindness helped my son through injuries and occasional issues with ease. Her office is a welcoming and safe space for kids, and her excellent advice to parents eased many stressful moments for our family.
Add pandemic, through which she remained compassionate as always, but added steady, calm support for kids and families and sound gudiance on protocols and procedures.
She is an outstanding individual and a nurse!
In a school full of amazing teachers, Nurse Tina is a standout. She has endeared herself to both our children, and our entire family. Our son, now in middle school, regularly proclaims his favorite teacher to-date is still Nurse Tina! It’s not surprising at all, given the warmth and kindness she showed him throughout his Reiche days. Whatever needed tending - a bump, a scrape, an upset tummy, anxiousness, or simply a tough day, her office was a safe and welcoming place for him, and for many other children.
One would never guess all the enormous responsibilities Tina shoulders, given the patient love, care, and attention she gives to the Reiche community. Thank you,Tina, for all you have done and continue to do! The little things, and the large, have more of an impact than you can imagine! We are so happy for you to be recognized in this way!
Nurse Tine was always so supportive and kind to my son when he would have a hard day at school. She was understanding and compassionate and provided a safe haven. I will be forever grateful to her for this.
Nurse Tina is amazing. She is always ready to handle any situation with efficiency, kindness, and concern. She has helped students their families, and staff navigate through all the confusion that covid has created. She is always there to help anyone. We have been so lucky to have her at Reiche School.
As a volunteer at Reiche school for many years, I always knew if any child had a problem, Nurse Tina was there to help them! She was always calm and caring and made the students feel very comfortable going to her. Reiche school has a large number of children from immigrant families and they would happily go to Nurse Tina if they needed help.
I think Assistant Superintendent Townsend said it best when he said that a silver lining of the pandemic has been working with Tina. She is kind, smart and a passionate nurse. She balances the needs of staff, families and school nurses with exceptional grace. I feel so lucky to work with her and she inspires me everyday to be a better school nurse!
Nurse Tina has always had the health and safety of our kids at the forefront of everything she does, and that has become even more evident as our community has navigated this pandemic. Her sweet and calm demeanor is such a gift to all of us. My son always felt safe and comforted in her presence whenever he needed extra care at school, and I felt reassured by her warm and loving approach. Nurse Tina is a superhero and a LifeChanger!
Tina has been an amazing professional during this entire pandemic. She has always been so patient and kind with everyone's questions and concerns, and has been wonderful to work with. I can't believe all she has been able to do, and commend her attitude and work ethic throughout some very tough times. Thanks so much, Tina, for all you have done and all you continue to do!
Portland Public Schools is tremendously lucky to have Tina coordinating our health and safety supports during this time. Thank you Tina. You are a true life-changer.
Nurse Tina consistently maintains a calm demeanor throughout each crazy school day, and is always ready to share a chuckle, or to listen to someone who needs her attention. She knows almost all the children in the school by their first name, and knows many of their families. She is a model of strength and composure, and she makes thousands of decisions each day, bearing in mind the needs and circumstances of each person involved. She is a quick and skilled problem solver, and she listens attentively to each person's perspective before making a compassionate but firm decision. Nurse Tina is always at school, working many hours, and does so without complaint or without seeking attention: she cares passionately about students, families, and staff and helps out where she is needed. Nurse Tina collaborates with the staff and families, all with the end goal of making sure each Reiche student is healthy and safe. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us, Tina!
I am honored to write a few words in support of Tina being nominated for Lifechanger of the Year. She is the school nurse at Reiche School which is a very diverse school in Portland. She has worked tirelessly to build relationships with students, parents and staff. In addition, she is the district nurse coordinator and has been called upon to step into leadership role as the district navigates the every evolving Covid recommendations. She approaches all she does in a calm, caring manner whether it is putting a bandaid on a five year old's skinned knee or talking with a parent about Covid concerns. She is smart, professional, articulate, calm, patient and has a dry sense of humor. Tina is truly a lifechanger!
Nurse Tina is an incredibly kind, calm and lovely person. Her warmth with kids and parents has always been appreciated, but through the pandemic it has meant a great deal to us. We appreciate how eloquently she’s managed the Covid protocols and how hard she’s worked throughout the past two and a half years to keep our community safe.
Tina, has been the thread that has kept us all in tact throughout the pandemic. She is strong, resourceful, positive, realistic and funny! She is a powerhouse and I don't know what we would have done without her guidance throughout this pandemic.
Dear Nurse Tina,
Thank you for your tireless efforts to support our awesome Reiche School students and families. Your kind, responsive and dedicated work creates a warm and caring culture during these especially complicated pandemic days. It was such a pleasure to volunteer during the vaccine clinic and to see your efforts first hand. Students felt so brave and powerful that day! Just like you are everyday.
Warmest gratitude,
Jane
2nd and 4th grade parent
My family was so lucky to have Nurse Tina at our school. My kids both felt safe in her office, and very cared for. But it's the little things she does that pushes her into "exemplary" status for us, since we're pretty healthy and my kids were not there during the pandemic. I'm thinking of the Quarter Sale. It created an atmosphere of kindness and giving among the kids, many would give each other quarters so they could participate, and friends would buy little gifts for friends. It was so sweet, and a wonderful tradition for my kids each year. It's the little thing that made a big impact on them.
Simple: We at schools depend on nobody more now than our school nurses, and they in turn depend on nobody more than Tina.
We love Nurse Tina and are so excited for her to win this award! We can always count on her to put our anxiety about grave illness,orthopedic discomfort, global pandemics, gastrointestinal problems, and lice (eek!) into perspective. She’s a calm force of reason in relation to all of the constant challenges that the children, parents, and district provide. Nurse Tina has been an incredible school nurse through the 12 years that all of my kids have gone through elementary school, and we appreciate her calm and helpful disposition. She can handle many situations seemingly with ease and provides an incredible resource to the thousands of students, parents and teachers she has served. From extra clothing to safety with road races to special bandaids to aid to our vast refugee community we know we can count on nurse Tina for her unfeathered ease of assistance. Most recently, She has courageously led the detailed and ever changing Covid response for our district. Thank you for nominating her for this award, and a huge thanks to Nurse Tina for all you do every day!
I am continually amazed by Tina. This is definitely a well deserved honor! I am so thankful to have Tina as our district nurse coordinator and to work along side her.
Tina's work is invaluable. She is a true educator and champion for the Portland Public Schools community. Her contribution to the health and safety of us all, especially through COIVD-19, reflects her compassion, expertise, professionalism, patience, generosity, humility and humanity. She has the trust and respect of her colleagues and the community, and we are fortunate and grateful for her leadership and dedication. Thank you for taking such good care of us, Tina!
Tina cares for some many kids in the community all while leading the district's health policies with grace. She's goes out of way everyday to take care of students and to help parents overcome barriers they face in the pandemic. She sacrifices her personal time to care for others. She rises to challenges when decisions are hard and always maintains her sense of humor. She is a true pleasure to work with.
Nurse Tina is the definition of amazing and is a true Lifechanger. We , in the Portland Public Schools district, have never had to worry that we would not be delivered the most accurate and up to date information during this pandemic. She has taken care of that and each and every one of us. But, that is just her regular mode of operation. I have worked at Reiche School with Tina for 8 years and have never had to wonder if Tina would and could help me or the student I've walked to her office. Her door and her arms are always open to us. Her calm, cool, nurturing manner of managing our 400 plus student body and staff is like none I've ever observed, not to mention all of the responsibilities she attends to within our school district.
I have known Nurse Tina for many years. When I worked at Reiche Rec she would always communicate with me about children who weren’t feeling well, on medication, and just needed extra attention. She was also there for my daughter Rose who had asthma and would need her nebulizer treatment at school. She was also there for my grandson who needed to take medication at school and now my other 2 grandchildren. She always had a supply of extra clothing , shoes , boots , hat and mittens that she would allow me to borrow if a child needed them. Tina is always calm and she is the sweetest person. She deserves this
Tina is an incredible nurse and leader in PPS. Her calm and caring approach has made such a difference during the pandemic. Her laughter and sense of humor are invaluable and she is simply the best! Thanks Tina!
The silver lining of the pandemic has been the opportunity to collaborate with Nurse TIna! Smart, caring, funny, and all about getting it done. Our city couldn't have asked for a better leader at a better time. Thank you!
Tina has done a fantastic job all the years she has been at Reiche, but especially during the last 2 years guiding us, educating us, and keeping us safe. She is efficient and organized. She is there for us and ready to answer any questions we have. She has a calm demeanor and is wonderful with the students. Thank you, Tina, for all that you do!
Tina is an incredible person, a Nurse my doctor, and a friend She is always for me, long before the corona. She always cares about everybody in school, She deserves to be recognized.
In COVID times, and not, Tina is a critical member of our school community. She is knowledgable, well informed, and clearly communicates necessary information to our staff and families. She is approachable, extremely patient, and handles each situation with care and grace. With her calm manner, and sense of humor, Tina is a pleasure to work with.
Tina is outstanding! She is caring, always willing and right down to earth. Tina does not only care for the students, she cares for all of us at Reiche. I have come to nurse Tina many times like a child when I didn't feel well, and she is always ready to help me feel better or drive me home if I couldn't. Tina is 100% deserving of being recognized. Thanks nurse Tina!
Tina is the Nurse at our school, and we are so proud and excited for her to be up for this award. She deserves it! Ever since Covid19 started challenging the very way we do school, Tina has been a rock. She is knowledgeable, professional, and a leader. Not only does she field questions and provide guidance for all of Portland Public Schools, she takes the time to talk with each and every family who calls with worries and questions, to make sure they feel informed and comfortable. This is on top of all the regular work she's always done making sure that students with medical concerns receive great healthcare at school as well.
Several years ago my entire class was incensed at the new district rule that banned treat foods in the classroom. Everyone wanted to write a passionate opinion piece about how unfair it was to have a ban on birthday cake. We invited Nurse Tina to speak to the class. She was open, she listened, she answered, she explained. Her scientific expertise was unquestionable but her compassionate manner and straightforward message helped children understand the science behind the rule. By the end of her talk, every single kid in the class agreed that the treat ban was good for kids. Every single kid.
Covid has incensed many of us, frightened many of us, confused many of us and felt very unfair. How lucky Reiche has been to have Nurse Tina's scientific expertise, compassionate manner and straight talk. She kept our boat afloat. She is a life changer.
I am so happy to hear that Tina is up for this award. She definitely deserves any and all awards! I have worked with Tina for several years and have collaborated on many students together. No matter how busy she is she will always take the time to help out students and staff. She has a calm, caring presence...it is no wonder why so many students want to go see Nurse Tina! Tina has helped students and families not only with medical concerns, but also with their emotional and mental health. She is a strong advocate who will go the extra mile to insure families have insurance and get their basic needs met. She was a rockstar nurse before Covid, but with all the endless hours that she has put into keeping students, families, and staff healthy at Reiche School and the Portland School district as a whole are more reasons she is deserving of the title Life Changer. Her professionalism, calm demeanor, and witty sense of humor has helped us all get through these tough times. We are lucky to have Nurse Tina!
Calm, cool and collected are the words used to describe Nurse Tina. She is always ready with a smile or chuckle....her workload has increased dramatically but you would never know it from the way she carries herself! Lets GOOO!
Nurse Tina has worked tirelessly to keep everyone at Reiche School safe and informed. I feel grateful to have such a compassionate and competent leader helping us navigate through these unprecedented times.
We are new Reiche parents, our son just entering kindergarten, and Tina and her staff have provided such a safe and nuturing environment for our kiddos. She goes above and beyond, making every child (and parent) feel so cared for. We are beyond grateful! Thank you!
I've worked as a colleague with Tina for 12 years now. Her quiet leadership, skilled nursing judgment, common sense values, and dry sense of humor have helped the largest school district in the state of Maine navigate the pandemic as successfully as it possibly could and can.
She is a lifechanger in so many ways. Thank you Tina!
I emailed Nurse Tina on a Sunday when my two daughters and I showed symptoms of Covid. I expected a long wait for a reply with complicated instructions, yet her response was rapid and direct. My daughters and I were set up for testing the next day and I had a clear understanding of my quarantine and work responsibilities. I was prepared for a stressful few days while going through the Covid gauntlet, but Tina made it easy allowing me to focus on the health of myself as well as my daughters. I rarely do these comment things, but Tina's high standard of professionalism is deserving of my giving credit when credit is due. Thank you Tina!
Nurse Tina has really been so supportive during Covid precautions and has been so calm during such a stressful time. Thank you Tina!
Nurse Tina is so important to the fabric that keeps Portland Public Schools together and special. Her thoughtful approach, caring and access makes a world of difference to these kids. Go Tina!
As a parent of a former Reiche student, I always appreciated Nurse Tina’s calm and practical approach to her enormous job. My son spent plenty of time on nebulizer treatments in Tina’s office (if you can call a machine closet an office, but Tina has made the best out of what she’s got in a problematic building!) and I had such confidence in her care.
As a Portland Public Schools employee working through the pandemic, I have felt comfort knowing Tina’s been at the helm of our nursing staff. I trust her judgment and appreciate her steadiness.
Thank you, Nurse Tina!!!!
Nurse Tina is an amazing professional, but an even better person! She handles every situation with calm grace, and a great sense of humor. She makes time for every question, every request, not to mention every band-aid or ice pack that a child needs. We are so lucky to have her in Portland Public schools, and especially in the Reiche community.
Honored to know Tina. Grateful that she’s our school nurse. In awe of her cool and calm nature.
Tina's steadfast guidance and wisdom throughout the pandemic has been imperative for the entire Reiche School Community (students, families, and staff) and the entire Portland Public Schools system. Thank you, Tina, for your seemingly tireless efforts. You are deeply respected and appreciated.
A constant refrain in our house is "thank goodness for Nurse Tina." Whether it's walking us through how to handle quarantine, helping us find a test, or just checking up on my son when he's out sick, we can always count on Nurse Tina. Even before the pandemic, if one of my children fell on the playground or starting running a fever, Nurse Tina would be on the phone right away, giving me assurance and caring for my child until I could get to school. As challenging as the past two years have been, having Nurse Tina as a constant, knowledgeable, sympathetic presence has provided much needed stability. Thank you Nurse Tina!
This has been the hardest year yet, and Nurse Tina has been relentless in doing everything she can to keep as many kids in school as safely as possible. She even responded to my email on the last Saturday of winter break, clearing my daughter to go back to school on Monday!
I can't say enough about Nurse Tina! I've worked in MANY schools in a few different states and districts; Tina is by far the best, most competent, calmest, most collaborative school nurse I've ever worked with.
Any time a staff member has a concern about a student's health, well-being, vision, or hearing we all feel comfortable to go directly to Tina and trust she will address it. I am always thankful to have her as a thought partner when a student is struggling in many areas. Ultimately, Tina improves students' quality of life and the quality of their education. She is a life saver to more than 400 students and there's no one that does it better. Tina has even been a "life saver" to me personally when she helped diagnose a concern I was having and told me what I needed to request from my doctor.
During this pandemic in particular Tina has been a role model of staying calm, addressing concerns (from both families and staff), but staying oriented to the priority of everyone's safety. What she is juggling - pooled testing, quarantines, anxiety of others, coordinating all the nurses in the district, communicating with district and state leaders, on top of the daily health concerns of students - is absolutely incredible. I am confident that her work and advocacy has literally saved some of our lives. I have never known, met, or even heard about anyone more deserving of this recognition.
On New Years Day I had symptoms and needed to get tested for Covid. I emailed Nurse Tina asking what I should do and she responded within 20 minutes on a Saturday and on a holiday. I was able to get tested by my employer that Monday. There were no store bought tests to be found at the time, so she must have been busy with staff emails.
I also attend all the school board meetings, and Tina is always there to answer the board's questions even late into the evening.
Tina is so dedicated, and kind through all of this pandemic. I know on top of what she does for students and staffs' wellbeing, she is training new hires constantly, as school nurse positions are challenging to fill and keep filled.
Nurse Tina has managed to navigate the ever changing flow of information, protocols and expectations around Covid while effectively communicating with staff, students and parents. She has managed our pooled testing with a similar professionalism. She does this in a calm, professional way that respects all stakeholders. In addition, she has maintained her school nurse duties, dealing with the various skinned knees, upset stomaches, headaches and runny noses. Tina is a true star!
Tina,
You are the calmest person I know, even with everything that is going on you are unflappable! You show kindness and caring to every student who comes to your door and make them feel heard. You also put staff at ease with your advice, flexibility, clear communication and vast medical knowledge. We are so lucky to have you at Reiche!
I work at Reiche and I am so lucky to have Tina as our nurse. She goes above and beyond to care for our students and for the staff. During covid she has been our go to for questions and concerns. She knows her stuff. She is always so calm. Even on the crazy pool testing days. She's the best and so deserving of this nomination.
Nurse Tina is exceptional. She has an infinite ability to provide care and high quality communication to support a multilingual community, while making each student feel heard, cared for, and cared about. With a consistently professional and human centered approach, Tina has been able to seamlessly deliver care and remains committed to the work of advocacy on behalf of the students and staff in Portland Public Schools. She embodies kindness, caring, emotional stability, empathy, and compassion. Through these most extraordinary times she has shown excellence in leadership and has persisted through ever changing realities to continue supporting our community in numerous capacities.
We at Reiche could not be luckier to have Nurse Tina taking care of us. She has remained her calm and caring, no-nonsense self during this trying pandemic time. Tina has the patience of a Saint. She has answered all of our staff's questions concerning Covid protocols as information continually changes. I can only imagine how overwhelmed she is, because you certainly would never know it. Tina also has a wonderful sense of humor which we all appreciate. Thank you Tina!!! This is so well deserved.
We have always known how incredibly fortunate we are to have Nurse Tina at our school, but the pandemic has shown us that Nurse Tina is, in fact, Wonder Woman! She is unflappable, and always makes time and has limitless patience for her students and colleagues. Her magical ice packs cure even imaginary injuries, and her stash of mittens and masks is in high demand. No one could possibly deserve this award more than Nurse Tina!
Tina has always been an amazing school nurse to begin with, and then covid hit!! As the district nurse and our school nurse Tina has been incredible. She has remained calm and helpful at all times. She is great resource for any questions. The students are comfortable with her and know that she is always around to help keep us healthy and safe. I can't imagine anyone else who would be steering the covid ship better than Tina!
Nurse Tina is the absolute best. I was fortunate enough to work with her at my previous school and so happy my daughter gets to see her at Reiche. We handled my daughter’s school “stomach aches” with kindness and watching her handle COVID has been inspiring. Thank you Tina!
Nurse Tina remains calm for the students and parents at Reiche Elementary every week as we continue to plod through this pandemic. She provides clear communication and is very responsive with parents. I was fortunate to help with the school's vaccine clinic and she did not falter at any obstacle or unusual situation. She is well-deserving of this nomination for her hard work, commitment, and flexibility.
Tina has worked tirelessly to keep students and staff in the Portland Public Schools informed and healthy during the pandemic and before. She is a true local hero!
Holy cow!! I am in awe, reading this! As an RN who is no longer working in the field of nursing, I can't even imagine how Ms. Vielleux does all of this! She is basically working 4 full-time jobs, and then some. The fact that she remains so calm and supportive of all of the students, families and staff she manages and keeps her sense of humor in the face of the pandemic is beyond amazing. Does she ever sleep?? Ms. Vielleux clearly deserves all of the recognition she can get.
Tina, your calm (how have you been doing that?) and compassionate guidance in the craziest couple of years in our careers has been instrumental to Portland Public Schools' students and employees. The Portland Education Association has relied on you for so much as we've navigated COVID-19, and you always answer promptly and clearly with research-based, realistic responses. You're incredible and I'm thrilled to see you being recognized for it. Thank you!
Way to go Tina! Your job is far from easy and in these complex and challenging times you continue to support staff, students and families. Good luck!
Tina Veilleux is one of those people who always goes above and beyond. She never makes you feel like you are asking too much and is always willing to help. Since COVID, Tina has been our go to person for help. She provides the written information needed and makes sure it is translated for all families. She is always there to answer any questions or concerns. Her attention to the COVID crisis in our district has been extraordinary, without her attention and guidance we would not have been able to safely open schools and keep schools open. He leadership on pooled testing has made this large undertaking a reality in our district. Portland Public Schools is lucky to have Tina at the helm leading us through this pandemic.
