Dr. Juliette Longchamp, NBCT, Director of Professional Programs, Vermont-NEA
Email: jlongchamp@vtnea.org; (She/Her/Hers)
Juliette is a life-long educator, in the classroom for 30 years and supporting professional learning in schools since 2013. The last twenty-five years teaching was in Williston, VT, where she was one of the founders of the Swift House Team. Swift House, with its first year in 1991, empowered students with project-based learning, personal learning plans, self-assessment in proficiency-based learning and strong connections with students and families. Swift House continues and I encourage all Middle School GrowVT-Ed candidates to spend a day talking to the fabulous educators on the team; Lisa Bisbee, Amy Skapof, Amanda Laberge, Debbie Donnelley, and Kevin Hunt. Juliette has been supporting Peer Review candidates for decades, but the last six years more formally through the course "Reflective Practitioner and the Peer Review Portfolio." GrowVT-Ed Academy builds on this experience to includes intentionally designed seminars addressing competencies, utilizing board-certified practitioners.
Certifications: K-8 Special Education; K-6 Elementary Education; Middle School with endorsements in Science, Social Studies, English/Language Arts and Mathematics. National Board Certification: Early Adolescence Generalist (2002, 2012, 2022); Danielson Framework Specialist (2020 to present)
Education: Ed.D University of Vermont; MA Teachers College, Columbia University; BS University of Vermont
Educational Interests: Project-based learning, Assessment for Student Learning, Curriculum Design that allows for student agency, Mentoring and Coaching, Intellectually Engaging Students in Learning
Outside Interests: Hiking, Golfing, Swimming, Reading, Playing with my very silly brown standard poodle, Charly, and watching the Yankees!
Barbie Collette, M.Ed., NBCT, 2022-2023 Vermont NEA Professional Practice and Policy Teaching Fellow
Email: bcollette@vtnea.org (she/her/hers)
Barbie has been a Special Educator in the state of Vermont since 2010. She has worked with K-8 students and their families in Addison Central School District, where she’s been fortunate to learn and grow her skills in an environment of collaborative teaming with students and families, teachers, administrators and paraeducators, and related service providers. Most recently she has served as Literacy Interventionist in the Middlebury Union Middle School. For the past seven years, Barbie has also worked with students and their families living abroad, as an Educational Consultant for International Diagnostic Solutions. She is passionate about intentional goal setting; pursuing best outcomes that consider the individual needs of each student, and providing meaningful access to quality instruction for all students.
Certifications: Grades k-8 Special Educator National Board Certification: Exceptional Needs Specialist, Early Childhood Through Young Adulthood; International Baccalaureate Level 2 Certified/Math, Wilson Reading System
Education: M.Ed., University of Vermont; B.S., Emerson College
Educational Interests: Assessment. Literacy programming for students with reading disabilities, building fluency and automaticity to support comprehension, vocabulary instruction. Social communication intervention for students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Disorders or Emotional Disturbance. Collaborative teaming, professional development for paraprofessionals, community based learning, creating equitable and safe schools.
Outside Interests: Barbie's favorite things include: traveling anywhere!, walking in cities, boating on Lake Champlain, used record stores, yoga, campfires and coffee.
Meaghan Morgan-Puglisi, NBCT, 2021-2022 Vermont NEA Fellow, Mt. Anthony Union High School Math Teacher (She/Her/Hers)
Meaghan has been a math teacher for ten years at Mount Anthony Union High School in Bennington, Vermont. She has a passion for Restorative Justice and using Restorative Practices in the classroom to create a Culturally Responsive environment where all learners thrive. A trainer through the International Institute of Restorative Practices, Meaghan loves to share her experience and knowledge with fellow educators.
Certifications: 7-12 Mathematics National Board Certification: Adolescence/Young Adulthood Mathematics (2017, 2022) Restorative Practice Trainer through IIRP (2021)
Education: MAT Secondary Education, Bennington College; BA Photography and Math Education, Bennington College; Cuban Studies Certificate, La Universidad de la Habana/Burlington College
Educational Interests: Trauma-Informed Practice, Restorative Practices, Inquiry-Based Learning, Culturally Responsive Teaching
Outside Interests: Yoga, Hiking with her German Shepherd & Toddler, Cooking, Knitting
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Deb KillKelley, MS Ed., NBCT - CVSD CERT Implementation Team (She/Her/Hers)
Deb KillKelley is a member of the CVSD CERT Implementation team currently working as a Coach/Interventionist at the Charlotte Central School. Before that, she spent one year as a first-grade teacher in the CVSD Virtual Learning Academy. She has also taught grades K-4 at the Shelburne Community School and has been a classroom teacher in both New York State and New Hampshire at the PreK-4 level. She is the Co-Coordinator for the CVSD Mentoring Program, and a Mentor Trainer for the VT NEA.
Certifications: K-6 Elementary Education; National Board Certification: Middle Childhood Generalist (2020)
Education: MS Ed. Binghamton University; BS Elementary Education, SUNY Oswego
Educational Interests: Supporting Early Career Educators, Collaborative Learning, Evidence-based Intervention, Student Motivation
Outside Interests: Hiking with my dogs, walking, biking, yoga, traveling, watching tennis and the Buffalo Bills, and spending time with family and friends.
Vasanthi Meyette, M Ed., NBCT -Shelburne Community School 5th and 6th Grade Science Teacher (She/Her/Hers)
Vasanthi Meyette is currently working as a 5th and 6th grade Science teacher at Shelburne Community School. Over the past 20 years, she has found herself teaching in grades K-6 and has experience teaching all content areas. She has been a mentor of both student teachers and new teachers to CVSD for over ten years. She values relationships, integrated curriculum, and community connections.
Certifications: K-6 Elementary Education; National Board Certification: Middle Childhood Generalist (2020)
Education: MA, University of Vermont; BA, University of Vermont
Educational Interests: Developing and facilitating integrated units of study, Cooperative Group projects, Utilizing picture books and middle grade novels across content areas, and mentoring my students and colleagues.
Outside Interests: Hiking, walking, traveling, cooking and gardening.....and watching my children navigate life!
Dr. Kristina Hansen, NBCT , Mt. Anthony Union High School English Teacher (she/her/hers)
Kris believes that to thrive within education, we need to continue to learn as well as share that learning with others. After 26 years in the classroom, she recently received a doctorate with a dissertation which focused on the causes of teacher burnout and the moderating factors of resilience and positivity. After spending her first two years as a teacher in Connecticut, Kris has dedicated 24 years to Mt. Anthony Union High School in Bennington, most recently as part of a team establishing an alternative learning program.
Certifications: Grades 7-12 English National Board Certification (2005, 2015) Adolescence through Young Adulthood English Language Arts; Strategic Instruction/Content Enhancement Trainer through KU-CRL; Appreciate Living Learning Circle Coach
Education: Ed.D. Southern New Hampshire University; MS Southern Connecticut State University; BA Western Connecticut State University
Educational Interests: Project-based Learning, proficiency-based learning, culturally responsive practice, interdisciplinary instruction, mentoring and coaching, resilience, organizational innovation.
Outside Interests: Seeing live music, listening to and collecting vinyl records, reading, podcasts, knitting, spoiling her three beagles.
Jessica Kramer, NBCT, Middle school science and math educator (She/Her/Hers)
Jess began her teaching journey at Saint Michael’s College and worked in the Champlain Valley School District for 15 years. While pursuing multiple degrees to increase knowledge of STEAMLA (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Language Arts) she found that there are no programs that pursue this endeavor. With over 60 graduate credits and a National Board Certification she is now following her dream of teaching those who also want to educate students going through a transformation of their own in middle school.
Certifications: Grades 7-12 Science; Middle Grades Science and Mathematics; National Board Certification (2019)
Education: St. Michael’s College BS Biology, Chemistry and Teaching licensure, Graduate credits in Curriculum and Instruction at University of Vermont, Castleton State College, and Johnson State College.
Educational Interests: STEAMLA, classroom management and student engagement, executive functioning skills, curriculum design and deconstructing NGSS.
Outside Interests: Jess has two young boys who are her world. She spends her summers with them swimming, hiking, playing and eating plenty of creemees. She’s a lover of reading but also unwinds with a good movie. Connecting with friends and family are a large part of her life and support her and all of her wild ideas.
Shannon Miller, NBCT, Grade 3-4 Teacher, Berlin Elementary School (she/her/hers)
Shannon Miller has been an educator for 15 years, spanning grades K-12, in public, independent, and international schools. She is a 2020 National Board Certified Teacher as a Middle Childhood Generalist. Previously, Shannon worked as the Peer Review Program Manager for the Vermont Agency of Education.
Certifications: Grades PK-12 Educational Technology Specialist; Grades K-6 Elementary Education, National Board Certification (2020)
Education: BA, English, Penn State University; MAT, Marlboro College.
Educational Interests: Integration of science and STEAM instruction in elementary classrooms, engaging curriculum design, and promoting a love of reading in my students through amazing books! I also enjoy supporting new and student teachers.
Outside Interests: Keeping up with my three boys (who span elementary - middle school), gardening and cooking, singing and playing guitar, and reading all the YA books I can!
Josepha Austin, NBCT, Special Educator, Burlington High School (she/her/hers)
Certifications: Grades k-age 21 Special Education Consulting Teacher; Grades k-age 21 Special Educator, National Board Certification (2017)
Education: BFA Rhode Island School of Design, MA St. Michael's College - Consulting Teacher
Educational Interests: Supporting students with learning challenges access classroom instruction, Art integration in general education instruction, resiliency and childhood trauma, transitioning students with intensive special needs to the world outside of school including the creation of the school cafe, and restorative practices in the classroom.
Outside Interests: Volunteering with the South Burlington Community Justice Center, working with the my springer spaniel as a certified therapy dog through Therapy Dogs of Vermont, hiking, gardening, and traveling, especially with my two sisters!
Dodi Gomez, M.Ed., NBCT, Art Educator, retired - Browns River MS, Underhill Central School & Mt Mansfield Union High School (she/her/hers)
I began teaching Art in 2001. I taught for 16 years at the High School, 2 years part time at the Elementary School and 5 years at the Middle School. Prior to teaching, I had several art-based occupations - sign painter, graphic designer, illustrator and art director. I take pride in the fact that I have a bountiful list of former students who went on to pursue careers as Photographers, Graphic Designers, Painters, and Art Teachers. During my career, I was a Cooperating teacher for numerous students pursuing a career in art education. Additionally, I mentored several novice teachers in their first year in our school district.
Certifications: Art, PK - 12; Educational Technology Specialist, PK-12 (2018); National Board Certification
Education: B.S. Art Education,University of Vermont; M.Ed., St. Michael's College
Educational Interests: Sharing my passion for Art with everyone; Nurturing growth in humans and artists; expanding others’ knowledge of Culture and Art History.
Outside Interests: Creating Art, Camping, Hiking, Biking, Cooking and being with family (especially my grandchildren)
Elizabeth (Lili) Foster, Ms. Ed. Leadership, NBCT (She/Her/Hers)
Lili has been a teacher at Salisbury Community School in Salisbury, Vermont since 1991. She taught third and fourth grade for 30 years and is currently the academic interventionist for K-5 grade. She has been involved in math and literacy leadership for over 20 years. She has a passion for elementary math instruction, participated in the Math Best Practice Training in ACSD, and has worked as a Math Trainer for the Math Learning Center, training teachers throughout the country in the Bridges Math Curriculum. She also has a Literacy Specialist Endorsement and is Orton Gillingham trained.
Certifications: Elementary Education K-6, Special Education K-8, Specialized Literacy Professional, Pre-K-6, National Board Certification: Early and Middle Childhood Literacy: Reading-Language Arts, Orton Gillingham Comprehensive and Intermediate Training.
Education Interest: Science of Reading, Literacy and Language Arts Best Practices, Math Best Practices, Evidence-based Intervention
Education: M.Ed., University of Vermont, B.S., University of Vermont
Outside Interests: Biking, Running, Kayaking, Hiking/Snowshoeing, spending time with her family and her Golden Retriever.
Rachel Luks Petraska, M.S. Shelburne Community School, School Counselor, grades 6-8 (She/Her/Hers)
Rachel has been working in the education field for more than 25 years as a teacher and school counselor. She is currently working as the school counselor for grades 6-8 at Shelburne Community School. Her work includes serving as an adjunct professor and internship supervisor at the University of Vermont. Rachel has served on a VT AOE Results Oriented Program Approval (ROPA) Review Team, to review masters-level educational programs in Vermont and a review and revision panel for the VT school counseling endorsement. Over the last two years, Rachel worked with peers across the state on an ad-hoc committee to bring a comprehensive school counseling framework to VT.
Certifications: PK-12 School Counseling
Education: BS, University of Vermont; MS, University of Vermont
Educational Interests: Student mentoring programs, flexible pathways, restorative practices, mentoring colleagues.
Outside Interests: Walking, exploring the mountains of Vermont, training our new puppy, and spending time with friends and family.