Employee of the Month

Illenys Martinez-Cruz earned applause and appreciation as Westview’s March Employee of the Month. Illenys is a Teacher at Westview Child Care Center in the 2-Year-Olds classroom, where she has gained many fans among her colleagues, students, and their families. In teaching this age group, Illenys’ efforts are as intentional as they are improvisational. She aims to maximize engagement and enhance her students’ education through a wide range of early teachable moments.

In her classroom, Illenys loves to see her students grow and gain confidence in a comfortable learning space. Preschool teaching is a familiar field for her, with four years of prior experience in public preschool settings before becoming a member of the original staff at Westview Child Care Center in 2023. Illenys engages directly with her students and seeks meaningful moments to develop their communication skills through play. To relate to weekly classroom themes, she introduces elements with a “Mystery Box” and engages students to use clues to discover its contents. She also sparks curiosity by reading stories with the lights dimmed while flashlights illuminate the action. Their interactions may be verbal, paraverbal, or still developing—but their trust in Illenys brightens every opportunity for learning.

Teaching new words to her students is a noteworthy joy for Illenys. She delights in the excitement on their faces when they understand a new phrase, expression, or concept. She integrates elements of Spanish language and culture into her teaching and often utilizes music as a gleeful learning tool. The familiar tune of “The More We Get Together” is frequently sung in both English and Spanish in the 2-Year-Olds classroom; merrily exhibiting the students’ appreciation of the song’s theme. Illenys believes that music resonates deeply, imprinting lessons on both the heart and the mind.

Sign language concepts are often introduced in Illenys’ classroom, offering students another stimulating method of essential communication. Whether in English, Spanish, or Sign Language, Illenys and her colleagues ensure that some of the most important words her students learn are “please,” “thank you,” and “friend!” With gratitude and pride, she acknowledges the team of Teachers and Teacher Assistants she works alongside and cites their collective bond as a key strength at Westview Child Care Center.

Illenys’ advocacy for lifelong learning reflects her own personal growth and passionate pursuits. She enjoys developing new skills, including “Wood Therapy,” for which she has earned national certification and continues to practice with friends and family. Bible study has become another meaningful commitment through her experiences. Above all, Illenys values time spent with her “little family”—her husband, Alejandro Cardona, and her daughter, Angelica. Her devotion to her family is deeply rooted in lived experience. Illenys and her family relocated from Puerto Rico to the United States in pursuit of greater access to care and educational opportunities for her daughter. Through that journey, she developed a strong understanding of the challenges families may face when navigating support systems and advocating for their children’s needs.

Perspective continues to shape how Illenys approaches her role as an educator—guiding her patience, strengthening her compassion, and reinforcing her commitment to helping every child reach their full potential. Illenys emphasized her passion for teaching as she received this award: “I love what I do and I am grateful to be recognized for my work. I truly enjoy helping toddlers learn through play, music, and lots of fun activities. Seeing how excited they get when they learn new things and try new words is truly rewarding!”

Katy Holzer, Director of Westview Child Care Center, affirms what Illenys means to Westview Child Care Center and her students: “Ms. Illenys brings a rare combination of warmth, attentiveness, and creativity to her classroom. At Westview, we believe in building rich, engaging learning environments, and she embodies that in every lesson she plans. Her expertise is evident in the excitement and confidence of her students, and we are so fortunate to have her on the team.”

Country Living at Westview Commons is a 75-unit independent and assisted living community conveniently located in picturesque Northeastern Connecticut. Affiliated with Westview Health Care Center, a nationally-ranked nursing facility according to CMS and U.S. News and World Report for the past years, Westview Commons is a 115,000 square foot catered living facility dedicated to a genuine 5-star experience including outstanding service, culinary expertise and professional in-house entertainment. Located in Dayville, CT, Westview Commons combines convenience, tranquility and comfort; providing a lifestyle that seniors deserve.