LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Elana Viviano

Position: ISS Teacher
School: McCluer North High School
School District: Ferguson-Florrisant School District
City, State: Florissant, MO

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Elana Viviano was nominated by her colleague, Michelle Vangilder.

"Elana has definitely made an impact in the lives of our students at McCluer North. You may ask: how? More ways than you can comprehend," explains Vangilder.

Ms. Viviano has been the ISS "Restorative Practices" teacher in her building for the past three years. Normally, when a student is sent to ISS, the teacher keeps them for their assigned time and sends them back to the school environment for the behavior to "likely" occur again. Not in Ms. Viviano's class. She has made so many connections with her kids, with most on a first-name basis. She works with the "child," not the behavior. This year has been tough on many teachers, but especially for Ms. Viviano, with the loss of a close student to a tragic death, and the "normal" school environment being anything but "normal."

Ms. Viviano has continued to strive past all obstacles and make the ISS program what it is today. She has awesome reinforcers that she uses to help motivate her kids. They not only become "better" versions of themselves, but they complete assignments, earn credits, and even graduate! Ms. Viviano has been a part of many district committees, such as the Professional Development committee (with a focus on making the ISS programs better in other schools) and Building Leadership Team. She also helped develop the new Restorative Practices for the ISS format.

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Comments (4)

Ashley Kilcullen Posted over a year ago

Ms. Viviano truly is a life changer. She has transformed our in school suspension program at our school to become a restorative room where she does life lessons and has the students reflect on what the event was that caused them to be there. Ms. Viviano has also been an active member in creating this change for the district as well. Ms. Viviano has been an active member of our student expectation team who brings her passion and ideas to each meeting to make change to our school-wide tier 1 systems. Anyone who comes in contact with Ms. Viviano will pick up very quickly her passion for doing what is best for students. She is passionate about helping specifically our students with some of the most challenges who do not always have advocates for them. While Ms. Viviano advocates for them making sure they get what they need, she also teaches them the tools they need to be successful. Ms. Viviano also keeps the staff informed daily with how the students are doing which is helpful to teachers. We are truly lucky to have Ms. Viviano changing the lives of students here at McCluer North!

Colleen Vogler Posted over a year ago

Ms. Viviano is definitely a life changer! She works with the students in the school who have gotten in trouble and were assigned in school suspension. While many of us may not want that job, Ms. Viviano is very passionate about it. Instead of it being a wasted day (like before she came to our school), she really works with the students to try to get them back on a good path. She is very student centered and listens to them. My favorite thing she does is have a conference with each student who is with her. She really tries to understand them and what their interests are to try and motivate them to do better in school and not end up in ISS again. Many of the students are able to catch up on work and bring their grades up after being with her.

Eryn Kleimann Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Viviano is one of the most caring teachers I have ever met. Not only do I have the pleasure of working with her now as an adult I am also honored to say that I also had her as a student in elementary school. Yes, this truly shows how many students she has had the opportunity to help guide along her educational career path. McCluer North has had several ISS teachers throughout the time I have been here and she truly is the BEST. She is not only a great teacher but she is also able to restore the kids faith in education along the way and at times completely change the student's life path for the better. Mrs. Viviano is truly a blessing and we are lucky to have her!

Elana Viviano Posted over a year ago

In September I was told I was being reassigned to teacher preK - 2nd grade Art in 2 buildings - which I have not done for over 20 years. My current high school staff was upset about me leaving, especially mid-year. They created this message board for me. https://padlet.com/eking53/feh8hfcj6ury4kls Fortunately, this change passed me by and I was allowed to stay in my current position as a Restorative Room Specialist/ ISS teacher. I have served over 400 high school students so far this year, and am grateful to continue making a difference in the lives of at-risk teenagers!