Goals, Plans and Appreciation
The VT-HEC Staff and Board met this week to discuss our response to the challenges created by COVID-19. Guidance from the CDC, VT Department of Health, and the VT Agency of Education continues to be updated daily, and future communications will – from time-to-time – contradict and supersede previous recommendations and directions. We will do our best to respond to this changing landscape.
Moving forward, the VT-HEC will be guided by these goals:
- Keep staff and participants safe.
- Help reduce the spread of the virus.
- Explore alternative delivery models, and modify existing ones, to deliver as much promised high-quality content as possible.
- Keep you well informed of our changes and future plans.
- Stay current on new development and follow state and national guidelines.
- Continue to appreciate and work with our colleagues and greater community.
We will:
- Follow guidelines from the CDC, AOE, etc., which includes advising staff and participants to stay home if symptomatic and to follow recommended hygienic practices.
- Plan on-line delivery options for every offering where that is appropriate.
- Explore alternatives to make revised delivery options as effective and accessible as we can.
- Postpone certain offerings, either hoping to be able to meet live at a later date or to give us time to arrange on-line delivery of content.
- Cancel the live-delivery option for our workshop offerings through June 15.
- Continue to celebrate and appreciate the accomplishments and milestones of our friends, colleagues and extended family (Happy Birthday Patty and Julie)
Right now, I want to extend our deepest appreciation to:
- The VT-HEC staff who are working nearly around the clock to make all this happen (Patty, Wendy, Jessa, Julie, Joy & Emma).
- Our instructors and presenters who have been amazingly flexible and supportive. All of them willing to put in extra work to ensure the best learning experience we can manage; even those from out-of-state like Paul Gorski and Sarah Ward.
- Many of the venues we work with that have been so very responsive and accommodating especially, The Lake Morey Resort and The Capitol Plaza.
- Our valued students, workshop participants and colleagues who have been patient, understanding and flexible as we work to figure this out together.
This is an unprecedented situation for all of us and no one knows what the future will bring. As I read the statements and plans from school administrators, organization leaders, and many government officials. I cannot help but be impressed by the dedication, thoughtfulness and general good will that is being expressed. It gives me confidence that, if we can all be that understanding, patient and well-meaning, we can emerge from this experience in a better place than we started.
We thank you all for your continued support. I knew our 20th anniversary year would be memorable!
Dennis Kane
Executive Director
VT-HEC.org
