Patty Morgan – Longtime Director of Licensing Programs Retiring
We all know that some things are inevitable but that does not mean they are all easy or pleasant. With great mixed feelings, I wanted to share that Patty Morgan, our Director of Licensing Programs, is retiring from the VT-HEC as of January 1, 2022.
For the better part of VT-HEC’s existence Patty has been the constant through all of our ups and downs, accomplishments and challenges. She began coordinating our special education endorsement program and soon became the VT-HEC Program Director as we expanded into multiple licensing endorsement areas and other professional development offerings.
Twenty years of graduates from our endorsement programs has had a dramatic impact on education in Vermont – hundreds of special educators, early childhood educators, health educators, etc., are working in our schools and communities as a result of the work of Patty and her team of talented coordinators and instructors.
For the last few years Patty focused on our licensing and certificate programs. She oversaw the development of our Work-Based Learning program and was instrumental in the transition of our Autism Certificate program to our new Neurodiversity and Inclusion program. As if that was not enough, Patty guided us through the state process of ROPA approval for both endorsement and initial licensing in special education, early childhood and early childhood special education – a significant effort and accomplishment.
Patty has been an integral part of the VT-HEC for 20 of our near 22-year existence and it is hard to envision the VT-HEC without Patty being a part. For me, Patty has been partner, colleague, sounding-board, co-conspirator, and friend. I will miss her; we will all miss her, but she is leaving the licensing programs and the VT-HEC as strong as ever and, with ROPA approval on the horizon, putting those programs on a firmer foundation than ever before. The decision to have her join us is one of the best decisions I have ever made and one I would make again without hesitation.
In recognition and appreciation of all that Patty has contributed to the VT-HEC and education in Vermont, the VT-HEC Board of Directors voted on December 1 to establish the Patty Morgan Scholarship which will provide a worthy student a tuition-free experience through our Early Childhood or Early Childhood Special Education program. (details coming soon)
All of the VT-HEC community join in thanking Patty for her dedication, expertise and grace. We wish her the best in turning the page of her next chapter.
Dennis Kane
Executive Director
