VT-HEC Instructors, Presenters, and Consultants

Michael Berry

ichael is currently the Director of Curriculum and Technology for the Montpelier-Roxbury School District. Most recently he was the Director of Curriculum, Communication, and Innovation for the MMMUSD-CESU Schools. Previously, he had been the principal of Richmond Elementary School, and also at Underhill Central Elementary. Prior to being an administrator, he taught in the elementary grades in East Montpelier. Michael has a degree in Children’s Literature and Elementary Education from Castleton State College, and a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Union Institute and University at Vermont College. Since growing up in a family where both his parents were educators, Michael is always eager to learn and has a hard time not reading educational blogs and articles around the clock. He lives in central Vermont with his wife, two daughters, a dog and one very grumpy cat.

Laurie E. Berryman, Ed.D.

aurie Berryman has worked for the past 25 years serving first generation, low-income students with access to higher education and career planning through two federal Department of Education programs, Talent Search and GEAR UP. Before that, she worked on two different Vermont college campuses as a mental health counselor. Laurie currently works as a school counselor at Spaulding High school and she works with students on career and college aspirations, as well as just surviving high school (for some students!) She has taught in higher education for more than 28 years, primarily at Northern Vermont University and for the last 19 years in the Master’s in Counseling program. Dr. Berryman holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology, a Master’s in Counseling and a doctorate in Educational Leadership. She lives in Waterbury Center with her husband and two teen boys. 

Kristin Beswick, M.S.Ed.

ristin has a MS Ed, CAS as a School Psychologist and has worked in Vermont since 2001 as a Behavior Specialist. She has lived in New York, Iowa, Illinois and Arizona, where she practiced school psychology and supported school teams with implementation of behavioral supports. Since 2011 Kristin has been a member of the Vermont State PBIS Team, which has provided opportunities to support various schools across northern Vermont. She has also taught courses in Classroom Management and Early Childhood Education. Kristin lives in Derby Line with her husband and two children.

 

 

Brenda Bolio, M.Ed.

renda is an instructor in the VT-HEC Early Childhood Licensing Program and has been an early childhood educator for over 30 years, 16 of those years as an early childhood special educator. She a classroom teacher and Preschool Coordinator at the Family Center of Washington County, a Montpelier EEE co-teacher, and most recently an itinerant EEE teacher for the Montpelier Public Schools. Brenda received a BA in Early Childhood Studies (1983) and an MEd. in ECSE (1998) from The University of Vermont. In 2012, she began teaching coursework, leading workshops, and mentoring new EEE staff in the Montpelier area as a way of building linkages, and supporting collaboration and ongoing professional development with people coming into the field.

Laura Bonazinga Bouyea, MS, CCC-SLP

aura is a speech language pathologist and autism consultant. She has expertise in supporting language, social communication, and social emotional learning across age spans. Laura has published research in the assessment of Theory of Mind and a review of the Developmental Individual-Difference Relationship Based Model of Intervention (DIR). She has a private practice, serves as social communication specialist at Mansfield Hall, and provides professional learning opportunities through various organizations. In her spare time Laura enjoys birding, cooking, nordic skiing, and getting outside with her son, husband, and tripawd dog.

Gillian Boudreau, Ph.D.

illian Boudreau is a licensed clinical psychologist and licensed school psychologist. She has spent years as a clinician in therapeutic and hospital-based schools in New York City and developed and directed a school-based initiative in Vermont providing intensive behavioral programming in public elementary schools. Dr. Boudreau is currently in private practice offering therapy to children adults and families.  She provides extensive consultation and training to schools and agencies in Vermont and NYC in order to create environments beneficial to students with backgrounds including trauma and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dr. Boudreau’s approach to fostering resilience and creating trauma-informed settings centers on addressing and reducing patterns of fear within individuals and systems in order to foster authentic connection and healthy learning and development.

Arlyn Bruccoli, M.S.Ed.

rlyn Bruccoli is the Librarian and Technology Integration Specialist at East Montpelier Elementary School. Her love of dinosaurs, anthropology, and children led her to pursue a Master’s of Science in Education at Bank Street College with a concentration in museum education. After working for the American Museum of Natural History’s National Center for Science Literacy, Education, and Technology, Arlyn joined the VT Dept. of Education as the Technology Integration Specialist. She still loves dinosaurs, but has found that being a librarian and technology integrationist allows her to explore EVERYTHING through the intersection of library resources, robotics, and the curiosities of elementary school students.

 

 

Sandra Cameron, M.Ed., MOTR/C

andra is a pediatric occupational therapist, early childhood special educator, and public school administrator. She has over 20 years in the field of early care and education and has served as adjunct faculty for Community College of Vermont, Ithaca College (NY), and the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative. She currently works as Act 166 Regional Coordinator for 11 Supervisory Unions/School Districts in central Vermont and as the Director of Early Education for the Barre Supervisory Union. Sandra holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Studies as well as a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, both from the University of Southern Maine, and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Vermont. As a new resident of Vermont in 2000, Sandra completed a fellowship with the Vermont Interdisciplinary Leadership for Health Professionals through UVM. She served on the board, including the role of President, for the CEC-Vermont Division of Early Childhood from 2010-2015 and is active as a Vermont AOE Peer Review Panelist. Sandra holds a Vermont teaching license in early childhood special education and supervisor endorsement.

 

Joan Carey, M.Ed.

oan Carey has been teaching in the Brattleboro area since 1987. She is currently the Education Program Coordinator at Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center where she designs inquiry-based science units, provides professional development training for teachers, and works to integrate field research with technology. She loves exploring the natural world with youth of all ages.

 

 

Lori Cassidy, M.Ed.

ori has been a Special Educator for over 35 years in the State of VT. She spent the first 4 years as an Intensive Needs teacher for adolescents and since then has served as an Early Childhood Special Educator. She has worked in a variety of settings and positions from being a classroom teacher/director to being a traveling special educator. Lori received a Masters in Early Intervention from UVM. She is a VT AOE State approved Trainer and Coach for Early MTSS focusing on the Pyramid Model. For the last 10 years, Lori has taught the Fundamentals for Early Childhood class for Northern Lights Career Development Center. She has also taught the Curriculum course for the Higher Ed Collaborative and has presented trainings/workshops on a variety of topics.

Art Cernosia, Esq. 

rt Cernosia is an attorney and an education consultant from Williston, Vermont. Art previously worked as a teacher, an Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Vermont Department of Education, a practicing attorney, and consultant with a  national special education technical assistance center. He was associated with the University of Vermont’s Education Law Institute for over 30 years where he taught and provided legal workshops. He also volunteered as a surrogate parent for students with disabilities who were placed in juvenile detention facilities. He provides training, consultation and other technical assistance services to state and local education agencies and advocacy organizations throughout the nation pertaining to special education legal issues.

Kathy Christy, M.Ed.

athy Christy, M.Ed., has over 35 years of experience working in public schools as an elementary school teacher, literacy coach, and professional development facilitator. She has a wealth of experience providing professional development in a variety of settings at school, district, and collegiate levels. Kathy teaches the Core Teaching Standards in our Special Education Initial Licensing program.

 

 

Chris CichoskiKelly

hris is a Technology Integration Specialist for Chittenden Central Supervisory Union (CCSU) and has been working with students with disabilities, their families and educators for over a decade.  Chris’s passion is teaching faculty and students about technology in education as a tool to help motivate students and to allow all students to show what they know. Prior to working at CCSU, Chris directed the Assistive Technology Center for Chittenden County Vermont as part of the Vermont Assistive Technology Program. More recently, Chris has expanded his teaching to include graduate technology integration courses for educators throughout Vermont. Chris has completed hundreds of assessments and implemented technology devices and strategies for students and families all across Vermont. He has presented frequently in Vermont, as well as regionally and nationally on various technology in education topics.

Krystina Comforto, M.S.T.

rystina is currently the Assistant Principal at Mount Mansfield Union High School, in Jericho, Vermont. She received a BS in Health Science (2008) and an MST in K-12 Health Education (2011) from The State University of New York College at Cortland. In 2014, she earned a graduate certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University and in June of 2018, her Administration License for VT/NH from Upper Valley Educators Institute. As a school leader, Krystina strives to model the way for a collaborative team of educators that act as role models with a deep commitment to the whole child. She hopes to help create a world in which every child, regardless of background, becomes a successful, healthy and productive citizen.

Mandy Couturier, M.Ed.

andy has spent more than 15 years working as a special educator, both in Massachusetts and Vermont. Mandy works collaboratively to meet the needs of all students. First as a full time special educator, and then as a hybrid behavior specialist, Mandy was at the forefront of the school’s state-recognized school-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) as the school coordinator for 10 years at Thatcher Brook Primary School in Waterbury. More recently, she became the principal of Moretown Elementary, thrilled to stay in the Harwood Unified Union School District. Her role has changed, but not her commitment to students’ social and emotional needs. Mandy holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Saint Michael’s College, and two M.Ed. degrees from Rivier University in New Hampshire: Special Education and Emotional and Behavior Disorders. Mandy has been the district trainer of CPI: Non-violent Crisis Intervention since 2010. She has presented workshops about her work with PBIS and how to best support students with Emotional and Behavioral disorders at the local and state levels, and has worked extensively in preparation for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination.

Louise DeGuise, M.Ed.

ouise DeGuise is an instructor for the VT-HEC Health Educator program and is currently a Health Educator in the South Burlington School District. Louise received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a Minor in Biology and Coaching at Norwich University. She completed her Master’s of Education from Southern New Hampshire University. Louise has had her teaching license in PreK-12 Health and Physical Education since 2000 and has taught in various Vermont schools. For the past five years she has served as a Peer Review Panelist for the Vermont Agency of Education for health and physical educators. She enjoys working with others, exploring new ideas, and being creative.

 

Lilly DePino, M.Ed., MST.

illy DePino is a PreK-6 Math Coach/Coordinator in southern Vermont, and an instructor in the VT-HEC Early Childhood program. She is a former kindergarten teacher who has also had the pleasure of teaching and learning alongside children in grades PreK through 8th as both a classroom teacher and an interventionist. As a math coach, she has the opportunity to support her colleagues as they explore and implement best practices in teaching mathematics collaboratively. Lilly is a graduate of the Vermont Mathematics Initiative and Bank Street College of Education.

 

Marceline DuBose, Ed.M.

arceline DuBose has 20 years of experience in public education as a high school social studies educator, state and federal level policy administrator, professional development leader, strategic planning consultant, and curriculum writer. Her primary focus is equity leadership development and strategic planning, working with districts to improve systems for creating equitable schools and classrooms. She holds a B.A. in Economics from Macalester College and an Ed.M. in Teaching and Curriculum from Harvard University as a Rockefeller Brothers Teaching Fellow. 

 

Ruth Durkee,  J.D.

uth Durkee is the owner of Durkee-Reymore Consulting, LLC, where she spends her days working on issues of equity, diversity, and civil rights in education at the local, state, and national level. For fifteen years, she was a technical center administrator in Vermont; before that, she served as the Civil Rights Coordinator for the Vermont Department of Education. Ruth has taught at the college and graduate level since 2010. An attorney by training and an educator at heart, Ruth’s goal in all of her courses is to help educators understand how the law applies to the work that they do in order to inform and enhance their professional practice. Ruth received her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, her B.A. from the College of Wooster, and certification as a mediator through Woodbury College. She is licensed as a Career and Technical Center Director and Assistant Director for Adult Education in Vermont

Amy Emerson

my has been an Early Childhood Special Educator for over 5 years at Blue Mountain Union School. Prior to that, she was the preschool teacher for 3 years. Amy received both her initial license and ECSE endorsement through VT-HEC, and her M.Ed through Lyndon State College. Amy is a member of the VT-HEC Early Childhood Advisory Board and is involved with Peer Review with the AOE. Amy lives in South Ryegate with her husband, two children, and two dogs.

 

Jennifer Fitch, M.Ed.

ennifer Fitch is a first grade teacher at East Montpelier Elementary School. In her more than 20 years of teaching, she has taught every grade level except kindergarten. Her passion for early literacy and teaching children to read led her to complete her Masters in Education with a concentration in Early Literacy from the University of Vermont. After a hiatus from the classroom to serve as the school’s Literacy Specialist, Jennifer returned to the classroom full-time. She began working intensely with Arlyn Bruccoli to integrate technology into her teaching and to improve the digital literacy of her students. Jennifer has had wonderful success improving collaboration and problem solving skills in her class through the use of technology.

Pat Fitzsimmons, M.Ed.

at Fitzsimmons is an instructor for the VT-HEC Early Childhood/EC Special Education Licensing program. She is currently the Common Core Implementation Coordinator at the Vermont Agency of Education. Previously, she worked as the Elementary Science Assessment Coordinator and the Assistant Director of the Research, Standards, and Assessment team at the Agency. Before moving to state-level work, Pat was the Science Specialist for both Barre Town and Barre City Elementary and Middle Schools. She fondly remembers her first position in public school as a kindergarten teacher which she thoroughly enjoyed for fourteen years.

Heather Flynn, Ph.D.

eather (Dr.) Flynn is a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist. She provides psychological assessment for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities at The Center for Children with Special Needs (CCSN). She received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Connecticut. Prior to joining CCSN, Dr. Flynn worked as a school psychologist in public school systems in Newton and Needham, MA. Her primary responsibilities included completing cognitive and educational evaluations, providing individual and group counseling to students with a variety of emotional and behavioral needs, and consultation with teachers and families. In addition, Dr. Flynn served as Site Director for Aspire (formerly known as YouthCare, a therapeutic program affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital) where she supervised the administrative, clinical, and programmatic operations of the summer camp program for children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Flynn has also been an Adjunct Professor at Northeastern University and Suffolk University in Massachusetts where she taught graduate level courses in psychological assessment.

Luke Foley, MAT

uke Foley, MAT, runs the Experiential Learning Center for Paine Mountain School District in Northfield, Vermont. He has a unique educational background, having worked as a wilderness guide, field instructor, and program director for several schools and programs in Vermont, the western United States, and around the world. He received his MAT from the University of Vermont and has a BA in International Political Economy from Colorado College. Luke is the 2014 Vermont State Teacher of the Year, a 2015 fellow for the Lloyd Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, and a 2017 National Park Service Climate Resiliency Fellow. Most recently, Luke received a 2019 Rowland Fellowship to pursue a project that looked to expand experiential learning opportunities in Vermont schools.

Erica Gibson, MD

rica is an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the UVM College of Medicine and the Division Chief of Adolescent Medicine within the Department of Pediatrics at the UVM Children’s Hospital. Dr. Gibson focuses on clinical work in the areas of adolescent sexual and reproductive health care, disordered eating, and transgender youth care.

 

 

 

Yasamin Gordon

asamin Gordon (she/her) is Equity Director for the City of Winooski. Previously, Yas worked as a LEAD DEI Coach for the Champlain Valley School District and was Planning Room Director for Shelburne Community School. She has presented for local and national equity events, and is personally invested in social justice and equity advocacy. She has traveled the world, and her daily inspirations are the writings and teachings of Nelson Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

Amy Gregoire, M.Ed.

my Gregoire graduated from Boston College in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. For the first two years of her career she taught second grade in rural North Carolina. The following 19 years she spent teaching at the elementary level, primarily in second and third grade in Bow, NH. In 2012 Amy received her masters in math education from Lesley University. She has three teaching certificates, elementary math specialist, secondary math, and early childhood education. Amy currently works as the math specialist for Bow Memorial School in Bow, NH. Amy works with students, providing both tier 2 and tier 3 math instruction within their RTI program. In addition, Amy co-teaches with teachers and provides on site professional development. Amy presently serves on the board of the New Hampshire Teachers of Mathematics as their elementary representative.

 

Kara Griswold, M.Ed.

ara has been a special education teacher at both the middle school and high school level for more than 10 years, and is currently the Director of Student Support Services at Addison Northwest School District. She received her B.S. from the University of Maine at Farmington in special education and her M.Ed. from Saint Michael’s College in school leadership. She is an instructor and internship supervisor for VT-HEC Sped Advisory Council.

 

Elena Gustavson

lena Gustavson is the Business Advisory Specialist for the Vermont Community Loan Fund, a mission driven, community focused lender that loans to small businesses, early care and learning programs, community organizations, nonprofits, and affordable housing developers. Elena provides one-on-one business, marketing, financial support and advisory services to VCLF small business, farm, food, and early care and learning borrowers, as well as business and financial planning for potential borrowers. Prior to joining VCLF, Elena worked for more than 15 years in both entrepreneurial, food and nonprofit organizations, leveraging her skills in business and organizational development, marketing, communication, and analysis to increase efficiency and provide thoughtful, strategic outcomes.

Emma Hallowell, M.S.

mma has been a public school teacher for the past ten years. Four years ago she helped launch the nature-based, Pre-K classroom that serves 4 and 5-year olds at Guilford Central School. She holds a Masters of Science in Environmental Education from Antioch University New England, and she loves helping children connect with their natural environment.

 

Christine Hertz  Hausman

hristineis an educator, author, and consultant who works with teachers to create child-centered classrooms where all students feel a strong sense of belonging, capability, and joy. Christine supports teachers in play, inquiry, and project-based learning, as well as early literacy. She is the co-author, with Kristi Mraz, of Kids First from Day One and A Mindset for Learning. 

 

T. Elijah Hawkes  M.S.Ed

lijah is the Director of School Leadership Programs at the Upper Valley Educators Institute (UVEI). He is an advisor to the Polarization and Extremism Research Lab at American University, a contributing editor with the University of Chicago Press “Schools: Studies in Education,” and member of the Schools Committee of the American Psychoanalytic Association. Prior to joining UVEI, Elijah was a middle/high school principal for 16 years, including ten years at Randolph Union Middle/High School in Vermont. He was founding principal of the James Baldwin School in New York City, one of the “successful public schools” serving “communities of color” in the city (The Nation, 2016). He has written for Rethinking Schools and Learning for Justice and is the author of two books on school reform.  

 

 

Mara Iverson

ara is the Director of Education at Outright Vermont. She has 15 years of volunteer LGBTQ+ advocacy and 5 years of volunteer racial justice advocacy at universities around the country. Outright Vermont’s mission is to build safe, healthy, and supportive environments for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth ages 13-22.

 

 

 

Lindy Johnson, M.Ed.

indy is an instructor for the VT-HEC Early Childhood/EC Special Education Licensing program. She is currently a Literacy Coach in the Essex Westford School District. Over the years she has worked in education as a classroom teacher, Reading Recovery teacher, interventionist, district literacy coordinator, undergraduate and graduate instructor, and several years at the Vermont Agency of Education as a literacy instruction and assessment coordinator. Her focus has been on early reading and writing research and instruction to ensure that all children are engaged, lifelong readers and writers.

 

Andrew Jones, Ed.D.

ndrew is currently the director of curriculum and innovation for Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District. He started his educational career as a high school science teacher and instructional coach at Mount Abraham UHS. Andrew has facilitated numerous workshops and courses on proficiency-based learning, both in Vermont and nationally. He is passionate about ensuring all students have access to high quality curriculum and instruction, and is a 2015 Rowland Foundation Fellow. 

 

Danielle Kent, M.S., CCC-SLP

anielle is an instructor with VT-HEC. She owns her own private speech-language pathology practice in the Montpelier area and enjoys working with children and adolescents. She has a special focus and interest on working with children with autism. She also works in the medical setting working with patients with strokes and brain injuries.

 

 

Zachary Key, MA, LMHC

achary provides direct service to students at the University of Vermont Counseling and Psychiatry Services Department and has a small therapeutic private practice Zachary also consults with school districts, institutions of higher education, and other nonprofits and businesses to build pro-equity and anti-oppressive environments, as well as to support mental health and community organization. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Vermont in the Masters of Counseling program.

 

Chris Knippenberg, M.S., OTR/L, ATP

hris is a school-based occupational therapist whose focus is working with Vermont families and teams so that children can participate fully in their home and school life. Chris has over 40 years experience as an occupational therapist, working in schools since 1977.  She has extensive training in sensory integration, autism interventions, and is a certified assistive technology provider. She has done advanced training in structured teaching and applying the TEACCH model to children and adolescents. Chris was the Vermont representative to the IDEA partnership activities designed to facilitate collaboration and excellence in carrying out programming for students with special needs, and has served as a related service mentor through the Center on Disability and Community Inclusion. Chris provides direct services, consultation, and training activities on a range of topics in autism, sensory regulation, transition, and home-school collaboration.

Jennifer Knowles

ennifer is an Early Childhood Special Educator. She has worked at the Milton Town School District for almost 30 years as an Early Interventionist, Pre-K Classroom Teacher, Consulting Special Educator, and Teacher Leader.  She is an advocate of play based education with a focus on social emotional learning.

 

 

 

Tanya LaChapelle

anya has a twenty year history in Early Childhood Education. She ran a successful early childhood program for nine years before shifting her focus to supporting the field at large.  Tanya currently works as a Community and Program Support Specialist for Vermont Birth to Five, where she provides technical assistance, supports quality practices and expansion, and serves on committees to strengthen the workforce.

 

Loralyn LaBombard, Ed.D.

oralyn LaBombard currently teaches LD 1, LD 2 and a Co-Teaching course for the VTHEC.  She recently moved to Concord, NH where she works as an intensive needs special educator for Bow Memorial School.  She runs a functional skills program for students with Autism.  Prior to her move to NH, she worked at a variety of elementary schools as a special educator and also worked for Vermont Reads and the Stern Center for Language and Learning as a literacy consultant and professional development provider in literacy.  Loralyn received her Ed.D. from the University of Vermont in Ed Leadership and Policy Studies in 2009 and her MA in Special Education in 2000 from Assumption College in Worcester, MA.  Loralyn lives in Concord with her husband, Greg; three kids, Camden, David and Libby; and dog, Max.  

Mary Lundeen, M.Ed.

ary Lundeen is the Director of Student Support Services for the Montpelier Roxbury School District.  She is currently serving as President of the Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators (VCSEA). Mary is also the chair of the Legislative Committee as well as a member of the Vermont Special Education Advisory Panel.  She co-facilitates the New Leader Academy for new and aspiring special education administrators.  Before joining the Montpelier Roxbury School District, Mary served 16 years in the Winooski School District as a special educator, director of special education and ell, associate superintendent and superintendent.  Mary began her career in education as a special education teacher in a therapeutic day school in Nashua, New Hampshire.  She taught in a self-contained program for middle school students identified with emotional disabilities.  Mary has been an adjunct instructor in the Graduate Program for School Leadership at Saint Michael’s College where she taught Special Education Leadership and Consultation and Collaboration in Schools.   Mary is a graduate of Trinity College of Vermont with a Bachelor’s Degree in early and elementary education.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Education in Reading from Rivier University in Nashua, NH.  Mary furthered her education at the University of Vermont and Saint Michael’s College in the areas of special education and school leadership.  Mary is passionate about Universal Design for Learning as a framework to provide equitable learning opportunities for all students. 

Heather T. Lynn, Esq.

eather Lynn is the managing partner of Lynn, Lynn, BLackman & Manitsky, P.C. She counsels Vermont public school districts and supervisory unions, semi-independent schools, and Vermont colleges and universities on a variety of issues, including student discipline, student disability/special education law, and civil liability. She has extensive experience in the defense of school districts in cases brought under Vermont’s peer harassment statutes both before Vermont and federal courts as well as the Vermont Human Rights Commission and U.S. Dept. of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. She participated in the 2012 and 2015 updates to the Vermont Agency of Education Model Policies and Procedures related to hazing, harassment and bullying and provides training to school administrators and staff on those policies and procedures.

Ms. Lynn also provides trainings and consultation to educational administrators on various topics, including student rights, special education, discipline and Title IX compliance. Ms. Lynn’s practice focuses on the defense of school districts for claims arising out of student-on-student harassment/violence, teacher/employee misconduct and special education claims.

 

Kimberly Marshall, MA, BCBA

imberly Marshall is the Senior Program Coordinator at The Center for Children with Special Needs (CCSN.) She provides consultative and program development support to educational programs for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and related disorders. Additionally, she works on internal projects and development at CCSN, focused on providing our staff with diverse experiences and ongoing training. In collaboration with Tina Newman, she provides a range of academic services including an intensive summer reading clinic, academic consultation, and professional development workshops. Kimberly received her B.A. in Education from Bucknell University and her Master’s in Autism and Intellectual Disabilities from Teachers College, Columbia University. Kimberly obtained her board certification in behavior analysis through The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has experience working with school programs for preschool through middle school students. Previously, Kimberly developed an early intervention program at Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, NY, for children with autism and communication disorders. She has presented nationally and internationally, and on topics including functional analysis and reading comprehension. Kimberly is a professional member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT), and the Behavior Analyst Leadership Council (BALC).

Judith Masson, M.Ed.

udith has been an Essential Early Educator (EEE) in the Northeast Kingdom for 14 years, working with preschoolers in the surrounding towns of Newport. She has an Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education as well as a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. In 2010, she completed a fellowship program through Vermont Interdisciplinary Leadership for Educating Health Professionals (ILEHP), focusing on autism spectrum disorders.  Her professional responsibilities currently include providing special education services for  preschoolers with disabilities, supervising paraprofessionals, conducting case management and program development activities and collaborating with families, teachers and related service providers.

 

Shane McCormack, Esq.

hane W. McCormack practices law with the Business and Transactions, Taxation and Commercial Finance teams at Paul Frank and Collins in Burlington, VT. His practice includes the representation of entrepreneurs and start-ups; he assists clients with business formation, the drafting of operating agreements, limited partnership agreements, shareholders agreements, securities purchase agreements, and registration rights agreements.

 

David Melnick, LICSW

ave Melnick is the Director of the Transforming Trauma Collaborative at the NFI Family Center. For the past 40 years, Dave has worked in a variety of ​clinical settings including outpatient, residential treatment, and in public and day treatment schools. Along with his focus on Developmental Trauma, Dave has expertise in family therapy, adolescence, attachment, Reflective Practices, and Trauma-Informed Systems. He has provided trauma-informed services to over 150 schools in Vermont. In 2015, the ChildTrauma Academy (CTA) acknowledged that Dave had completed NMT Training Certification through the Phase II level, and between 2017-2021 he was a Fellow at the CTA. Dave teaches graduate classes for the Vermont Higher Education Collaboration, and is a presenter and consultant in Vermont, New York, California and Canada.  

Lance Metayer, LMHC

ance has spent the last sixteen years working with youth and families who have been impacted by developmental trauma and chronic stress. Lance is currently the Team Leader of School Based Clinical Services at Northwestern Counseling and Support Services where he oversees a team of mental health clinicians providing therapy to children and adolescents in schools throughout Franklin and Grand Isle County. Previously, Lance worked as Statewide Project Coordinator for Community FIRST where he helped develop a statewide network of Teen/Youth/Adult Mental Health First Aid instructors to provide Y/MHFA which provided training to over 7,500 educators, foster parents, and community members across the state. Lance is passionate about providing mental health education to reduce mental health sigma, increase early intervention, and improve social conditions for individuals impacted by mental illness.

Vicki Mascareño Nelson

icki  Mascareño Nelson (she/her) has been a school counselor in Vermont for 20 years, and is also currently a Lead DEI Coach for Champlain Valley School District. Vicki has presented on social emotional health, bias, equity, and inclusion at the local, state, and national levels. She has also written articles about identity, bias, and therapeutic play for School Counselor Magazine. Vicki has been an equity advocate all her life; she is inspired by Dolores Huerta and lives by the saying, si se puede.

 

Tina Newman, Ph.D

ina (Dr.) Newman is a licensed psychologist at The Center for Children with Special Needs (CCSN). She provides psychological and educational assessments and consultation services to children and adolescents who have autism spectrum disorders and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Prior to joining CCSN, Dr. Newman worked as a psychologist at the Sunny Hill Health Center, B C Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, completing evaluations on a multidisciplinary team for children and adolescents with fetal alcohol and drug exposures and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. She also worked as a Research Scientist and Psychologist at Yale University, Department of Psychology and Child Study Center where she completed clinical research, taught courses in special education within the Education Studies program, supervised psychology interns, and co-directed an assessment clinic for students with diverse learning profiles. Dr. Newman has been an Adjunct Professor teaching graduate level courses in research design, educational assessment, and special education in the Teacher Preparation program at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut. She received her Ph.D. in School and Applied Child Psychology from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

 

Andrea Nicoletta

ndrea Nicoletta is the Education Program Manager at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. Her work includes working with high school peer educators, supporting educators, and ensuring that adults are supported to provide sexual health education that meets the needs of all young people. She is a former secondary school teacher who has worked as a sexuality educator for over 15 years in schools and the community.

 

Jen Olson

en is the Work-Based Learning Coordinator for Hazen Union High School. She has spent the last 20 years in various workforce development roles; from the Getting Ready to Work program coordinator with the Lamoille Family Center, and as a career development facilitator for the VT Department of Labor, Jen finds great value in partnering with businesses and organizations to help design experiential learning opportunities and flexible pathways for high school students. 

 

Jennifer Patenaude, M.A.

en worked for North Country Supervisory Union for more than twenty years as a special educator, evaluation specialist, and instructional specialist. She is currently an instructor, presenter, internship supervisor, and professional development designer for VT-HEC. Jen leads professional development on a multitude of topics for both general education and special education teachers and has served as adjunct faculty for the Vermont State Colleges.

 

Rachael Potts

achael Potts is a Work-Based Learning Coordinator at Harwood Union High School. She graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education. After working with pregnant and parenting teens in San Diego and participating in the Americorps VISTA program in Burlington, she earned a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Vermont. At Harwood, Rachael has provided work-based learning opportunities to all students and developed employment opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the transition program. Rachael is the faculty support for Harwood’s ROC (Rooted Organizing Collective) club, which is dedicated to raising funds and supplies for resettled families from around the world and providing education to the school community about issues related to migrant and racial justice. For ten years, she has also been the faculty support for Student Peace Alliance, a community service group that has recently focused its efforts around honoring the past, present and futures of the Abenaaki people in Vermont.

Cathy Quinn, M.Ed.

athy Quinn, M.Ed., RYT 200, is currently the Coordinator of School Leadership Programs at St. Michael’s College. In addition, she is an internship supervisor for VT-HEC, a registered yoga teacher, and has been a teacher and administrator for over 40 years in Vermont and Virginia. She is committed to inclusive public education, growing future educators and educational leaders, and the value of self care.

 

 

Erin Randall

rin is an instructor for the VT-HEC Health Educator program. She has taught Health Education at South Burlington High School for 15 years. In addition to teaching Health at SBHS, Erin oversees the school’s garden, and teaches Sustainable Foods, Contemporary Health Issues in Fiction, and Peer Leadership classes. Erin has a Master of Arts in Teaching from UVM, and an undergraduate degree in Dietetics and Nutritional Education. In addition to working with teachers to incorporate nutrition education in their classrooms, Erin is also passionate about incorporating mindfulness education into classrooms everywhere.

 

Jenn Randall, M.Ed

enn is an Early Childhood Educator at heart. She taught Kindergarten in Colchester while pursuing her Masters in Special Education with an Intensive Needs Endorsement at the University of Vermont. As an Intensive Needs Coach and Coordinator of the Champlain Valley School District Consultation Team, Jenn collaboratively supported many teams, classrooms and professionals to support all students preschool – age 22 across CVSD. Jenn is passionate about thinking flexibly and mindfully planning access to the general education curriculum across settings. Jenn is an Internship Supervisor for VT-HEC and an instructor in the Special Education Program. Jenn’s favorite adventures are spent outside in nature with her two young children.

Amanda Rohdenburg

manda Rohdenburg is the Associate Director at Outright Vermont. She holds a BA in Gender Studies and Political Science and is currently enrolled in the Public Health Equity graduate certificate program at Saint Michael’s College. Amanda has worked with Vermont youth since 2012, first in domestic and sexual violence prevention and intervention, and now as an advocate for LGBTQ youth with Outright Vermont.

 

Bill Rich, M.A.

ill is a long-time VT-HEC consultant and instructor. He began in our TASS (Teaching All Secondary Students) Program, as part of the design team and member of the TASS Steering Committee. A recognized expert in the area of differentiated instruction, Bill’s work is featured in Carol Tomlinson’s book, The Differentiated School: Making Revolutionary Changes in Teaching and Learning. A lifelong learner himself, Bill has been working with Dartmouth professor and cognitive scientist Chris Jernstedt, exploring the intersection of neuroscience and education, inspiring educators to imagine schools designed with the learner in mind. His focus recently is on the many facets of Proficiency-Based, Personalized Learning. Bill received his Masters from the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College. He has taught for over 20 years in Vermont.

 

Sarah Schoolcraft, M.Ed.

arah Schoolcraft is an instructor in the VT-HEC Special Education program. She works as an assistant principal in a PK-4 school in Waterbury, VT, and has worked as an elementary classroom teacher and special educator for more than 15 years. Sarah has taught as an adjunct on the graduate faculty at St. Michael’s College and the undergraduate faculty at Champlain College. Sarah is passionate about classroom and behavior management and working to meet the needs of all students in inclusive settings. Sarah is an adoptive parent of three amazing children, one of which has a label of ED, and is married to a fellow educator. 

Becca Schrader

ecca Schrader is the Business Resource Manager at the Vermont Community Loan Fund, a mission driven, non-profit Community Development Financial Institution. VCLF provides access to capital with flexible terms for affordable housing development, community facilities, small businesses, and early care and learning programs throughout Vermont, coupling loans with business and management advisory and coaching services. In addition to working one-on-one with borrowers and potential borrowers, Becca provides group trainings and participates in committees and working groups seeking systems-level solutions to complex problems. Becca has over ten years of experience working with individuals, families, early care and learning providers, businesses, and non-profits, coaching them on how to maximize income, manage debt and credit, build assets, and save for the future.

 

Jen Severance, M.Ed.

en Severance is an experienced, licensed early educator who has worked for more than 25 years in the field of early childhood education. She has held positions as an infant, toddler, and preschool teacher; director of preschool and infant/toddler programs; peer review mentor; coach; and most recently as a STARS Assessor. She earned a Master of Education degree from St. Michael’s College and has taught many classes at the Community College of Vermont. Her current position as Community and Program Support Specialist at Let’s Grow Kids allows her to continue to support early education programs all over Vermont.

 

Adrienne Shea, Esq.

drienne Shea is an attorney at Lynn, Lynn, Blackman & Manitsky, P.C. Ms. Shea focuses her practice on advising schools on student matters and compliance with federal and state laws, including IDEA, Section 504/ADA, FERPA/PPRA, the Vermont Public Accommodations Act, and the Vermont harassment, hazing, and bullying statute. Ms. Shea also represents school districts in litigation in state and federal courts, and in administrative actions, including due process hearings and complaints filed with the Vermont Agency of Education, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, and the Vermont Human Rights Commission. 

Cathy Siggins, M.Ed.

athy Siggins is an instructor in the VT-HEC Early Childhood Education Program. She was among the first graduates of this program back in 2007, achieving an initial teaching license in Early Childhood Special Education. Cathy then completed her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with UVM in 2009. Cathy has taught preschool in both public and private school settings, and has held a variety of roles as an adult educator, including mentor, trainer, and college instructor. Currently, in addition to working as an early education outreach teacher, she is mentoring teachers seeking their initial early childhood licensure through peer review. 

Loree Silvis, M.Ed.

oree Silvis is and Instructor in the VT-HEC Early Childhood Program. She is an experienced primary-grade teacher who left the classroom several years ago to delve deeply into the cognitive research on how young children construct an understanding of important foundational mathematics concepts. In support of early educators, she led the development of several graduate level courses which focus on number, additive reasoning, problem solving and foundations for algebraic reasoning and facilitates these courses throughout Vermont. She also co-led the development of the Primary Number and Operation Assessment (PNOA) with support from the Vermont Agency of Education and continues to work with school districts focusing on instructional best practices in mathematics and in the implementation of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics in primary and elementary levels.

 

Leah Sophrin, M.S., CCC-SLP

eah is a speech language pathologist who works with adults and children in her private practice and as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Consultant at the VOICE AAC Center in Montpelier, VT. Her private practice supports individuals with diverse needs to (re)claim their voice, create connection between their communication and identity, and cultivate a community of support and encouragement for those with unique or challenging communication needs. Leah’s clients include children and adults with autism, down syndrome, individuals who’ve experienced a brain injury or stroke, and individuals who identify as transgender and are seeking to access a voice that allows for the expression of who they are. Leah is co-host of Reframe Your Brain, a podcast where she, Danielle Kent, and guests delve into re-imagining the field of Speech Language Pathology as more creative, energizing, equitable and sustainable.

 

Kerin Stackpole, Esq.

erin Stackpole leads the Employment and Labor Law Group at Paul Frank & Collins in Burlington, VT, where she provides practical and proactive advice to senior leaders and management teams regarding a wide range of labor and employment issues. In addition, Kerin regularly designs and presents training programs for organizations seeking to strengthen the skills of their management team.

 

 

Rich Tulikangas, M.Ed.

ich Tulikangas currently serves as Director of the Vermont Career Advancement Project, a statewide initiative through HireAbility designed to support youth and adults with disabilities to pursue career pathways and higher wage employment. He has been passionate about helping prepare young people for life beyond high school and been a leader of numerous programs and organizations in Vermont and nationally for over 30 years. He served as HireAbility’s Director of Linking Learning to Careers, founding Executive Director of Linking Learning to Life/Navicate, Work-Based Learning Director for the National Academy Foundation (now NAF), Consultant and Program Director in several capacities for the VT Agency of Education, and was loaned to the Governor’s Office to develop the state’s School-To-Work plan.

 

Joelle van Lent, Psy.D.

oelle van Lent is a licensed psychologist with over 25 years of experience working with children, families, and child-serving agencies. Dr. van Lent has expertise as a therapist, clinician, evaluator, consultant, and trainer. Her work focuses on child and adolescent mental health, family therapy, trauma, and neurodivergence. Dr. van Lent’s approach is geared toward fostering resilience and creating communities that support healthy development. She is currently in private practice based in the northwestern part of Vermont and works across the state with schools and agencies.

Sarah Ward, MS, CCC/SLP

arah Ward has over 27 years of experience in diagnostic evaluations and treatment of executive dysfunctio. She holds a faculty appointment at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. Sarah and her colleague, Kristen Jacobsen, received the Innovative Promising Practices Award from the National Organization CHADD for their 360 Thinking Executive Function Program. She has presented to and consulted with over 1600 public and private schools worldwide.

 

 

Andrea Wasson, M.Ed.

ndrea has worked in the field of special education in Vermont for 36 years, most recently as the Director of Special Education for the Central VT Supervisory Union. She is a graduate instructor, presenter, and practicum supervisor for the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative (VT HEC) Special Education Licensing program and an internship supervisor for the University of Vermont. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from MS State University and a Master’s degree in Special Education and Leadership from the University of Vermont. Andrea lives in Essex Junction, VT.

 

 

Kathryn Whitaker, M.Ed.

athryn is an instructional specialist for North Country Supervisory Union in Vermont. In her current position, she serves eleven schools as a specialist and trainer for children with autism spectrum and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Kathryn has been involved in training Vermont educators in structured teaching with Linda Mulley and Chris Knippenberg, and gives regular workshops on autism spectrum disorders, behavior interventions for autism, structured teaching and curriculum for students with autism. Kathryn has a Master’s Degree in Special Education with an independent autism strand from Johnson State College of Vermont. Kathryn’s completed her B.S. degree in behavioral sciences and special education at Lyndon State College in Vermont. Kathryn also studied at Sonoma State University in California for certifications as learning handicap specialist, emotional disturbance specialist, resource specialist, assistive technology specialist and bilingual (Spanish) cultural linguistic academics certification.

 

Colleen Williams, M.Ed.

olleen Williams is a Technology Integration Specialist for the Essex Westford School District (EWSD) and has worked with the students and staff for more than 10 years. Colleen has a passion for using technology integration to create engaging, authentic learning experiences. Prior to working at EWSD, Colleen was a preschool teacher in Williston and a second grade teacher in Alabama. 

 

Crista Yagjian, M.Ed.

rista is a Vermont special educator and reading & writing specialist who lives in Guilford, Vermont. She believes in student-centered planning that leverages student strengths and utilizes a collaborative teaming model to help all students access learning alongside their peers. She is a proud 2005 graduate of the VT-HEC special education licensing program. In 2020, Crista completed UVM’s LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) program as a Family Fellow and focused her work on family and school partnerships. Currently she serves on the Vermont Developmental Disability Council and on the Vermont Special Education Advisory Panel. Crista supports new special educators in VT-HEC’s Special Education Academy and is a co-teacher for Meeting the Instructional Needs of All Students with Complex Profiles. She also works as a parent educator for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. In addition to being an educator for over 20 years, Crista is also a parent to her curious, very determined, and music-loving son, Nate, who has Down syndrome.