FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Plymouth, Mich. (June 22, 2021)

Program recognized educators who made an impact during pandemic

At left, Eric Rothert of Catholic Vantage Financial presents Teacher Impact Awards to Detroit Catholic Center High School teachers Leah Storm and Heather Vingsness with Patrick Fulton, CSB, DCC principal.

CVF Credit Union recently presented 14 Teacher Impact Awards to local educators who have worked tirelessly to educate, support, and impact students during these unprecedented times.

Winners were randomly selected from online nominations by families recognizing educators in two categories: kindergarten through 8^th grade and high school. Each educator was presented with a $500 CVF VISA gift card and adults who nominated the winning educators received a $50 CVF VISA gift card.

“All educators were impacted throughout the pandemic and were asked to really go above and beyond for their students and families,” said Eric Rothert, CVF vice president of marketing. “Because of this, we felt it was important to giveback and show these educators and families how much we – as a community – felt their impact.”

The educators in kindergarten through 8^th grade were Mary Beth Nicholas and Samantha Vendittelli from All Saints Catholic School in Canton; Samantha Tinsley at Erikkson Elementary in Plymouth; Emily Maroun at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School in Farmington; and from Livonia – Rachel Sayen at John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Alison Szczypka at St. Edith Catholic School, and Dawn Breyer, Edward Faunt, and Emily Marchetti, educators at St. Michael the Archangel.

Assistant Principal Jessica Spearman of Divine Child High School, at left, joins teacher Amy Dinsmore as she accepts the Teacher Impact Award from Eric Rothert, vice president of marketing at CVF Credit Union.

First grade teacher Samantha Venditelli was nominated by the Kuzniar family, who shared how she made a challenging school year as normal as possible for their son and provided students with routine and stability in a time of uncertainty, allowing them to have a good foundation as they move forward in their education.

The four high school winners include Heather Vingsness and Leah Storm of Detroit Catholic Central High School in Novi, Amy Dinsmore of Divine Child High School in Dearborn, and Crystal Nowka of Oakland Schools Technical Campus in Royal Oak.

Dinsmore, who teaches ninth grade English, was nominated by the Kasenow family, who described her as an inspiration, balancing work and home life with grace and humor. As a mother of three boys, they shared how Dinsmore knows firsthand the importance of “consistency, stability and finding joy in every small success.”

“Presenting these awards was a heartwarming experience because teachers truly felt appreciated,” said Rothert. “It was the perfect award at the perfect time for each of these educators.”

With branch locations in Livonia and Plymouth, CVF Credit Union provides financial services to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in 29 select Michigan counties. In addition to the credit union’s offices, ATMs and extensive online services, members have access to more than 5,000 shared branches and nearly 30,000 ATMs nationwide. Member deposits are insured to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), a U.S. government agency. For more information and to learn how you can join, call 734-432-0212 or visit www.mycvf.org.

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(Photos courtesy of CVF Credit Union)

Media Contacts:
Eric Rothert
Vice President of Marketing
CVF Credit Union
(734) 463-3019
erothert@mycvf.org