VT-HEC is thrilled to announce the recipient of the 5th Annual Patty Morgan Scholarship: congratulations to Rachel Tascarella!
Rachel’s passion for working with young children, her exemplary academic record, and her commitment to lifelong learning as an early childhood educator were all particularly compelling. We are proud to support her continued growth and future contributions to the field.
I took a big step away from a career in art education to transition to early childhood, and this scholarship is helping pave the way forward.
– Rachel Tascarella, 2026 Patty Morgan Scholarship Recipient
From the Art Studio to the PreK Classroom
Rachel currently serves as a PreK paraeducator at Stowe Elementary School in Stowe, VT, where she is working to add an early childhood education (ECE) endorsement to her existing teaching license.
Rachel holds a Vermont teaching license with endorsements in art and dance, and previously taught elementary art at schools serving PreK through Grade 8 in Hyde Park, Irasburg, and Albany, VT. Through those experiences, she discovered that her greatest joy was working with the youngest learners — a realization that led her to transition to her current role as a paraeducator and pursue her ECE endorsement.
“I am incredibly grateful to be the 2026 recipient of the Patty Morgan Scholarship! This truly feels like a step in the right direction and supports my pathway of becoming a preschool teacher. I took a big step away from a career in art education to transition to early childhood, and this scholarship is helping pave the way forward. I am excited to continue my coursework through VT-HEC and become the educator I aspire to be — one who truly focuses on the children and helps them learn and grow to be the best humans they can be.”
— Rachel Tascarella, 2026 Patty Morgan Scholarship Recipient
Please join us in congratulating Rachel and wishing her well as she continues to work toward her goal of becoming a preschool teacher!
About the Patty Morgan Scholarship
Established in December 2021, the Patty Morgan Scholarship honors the lasting impact Patty Morgan had on Vermont education during her tenure as Director of Licensing Programs at VT-HEC. Awarded annually, the scholarship supports an exceptional applicant seeking to become licensed as an early childhood educator (ECE) or early childhood special educator (ECSE), or to add an ECE or ECSE endorsement through a VT-HEC program. The scholarship covers the recipient’s full VT-HEC tuition costs throughout the two-year program.