Administration & Operations
Liz Shayne, Head of School
Liz (she/her) has spent her professional career in and around education and became the Head of School at The Schoolhouse in August 2011. Liz was a middle and high school teacher, administrator and technology specialist at the Spence School, an independent K-12 school in Manhattan.
Liz is co-founder of the Rosie’s Girls Summer Program, an award-winning trades exploration program for middle school-aged girls, and she continues to serve as a consultant to the program’s replication partners nationwide. She has served on the board and advisory committees of area non-profits, including the Fletcher Free Library, Vermont CARES, and The Schoolhouse. She received a Masters in Public Administration from Columbia University and an AB in Modern European History from Harvard University.
Liz’s two children have attended Schoolhouse, and she served on the Board of Directors for seven years before becoming Head of School.
Kelly Story, Administrative Leadership Team Member
Kelly (she/her) grew up in northern California and earned a BA from Saint Michael’s College in political science and Russian in 1991. She’s worked in education her entire career. She spent the twelve years after college at Rock Point School, a small boarding high school in Burlington, working directly with teens and their families as Director of Admissions and Fundraising and as a member of the school’s leadership team.
Kelly also spent four summers at Heartworks preschool, leading outdoor adventure trips for young children, and she spent a year directing Renaissance School’s after school program.
In 2007 Kelly opened Story Time, home-based child care with a focus on nature, local adventures, play, and seasonal arts and crafts. Story Time joined The Schoolhouse in 2012 with Kelly as Director, fitting right in with Schoolhouse’s hands-on, joyful programming. Since then, she has moved into a more general administrative team role, specializing in helping families discover and access the learning resources they need for a successful education. When not at Schoolhouse, Kelly also works as a private educational consultant.
Maria McGrath, Operations Manager & Registrar
After spending her childhood in Alaska, Maria (she/her) attended Laguna Beach School of Art, and went on to work in the Development Office at Stanford University for ten years. To help round out her work/play skills, she has also worked at many theater companies as a stage manager, a property designer, and the occasional actor. In a pinch she is also willing to undertake light plumbing. Maria was a Schoolhouse parent from 2010 to 2014. She is so happy to be at The Schoolhouse full-time.
Elsa Oppenheimer, Preschool Directing Team and Preschool Office Administrator
Elsa (she/her) joined The Schoolhouse in August of 2022 as the Preschool Office Administrator. For the past sixteen years, she ran a successful family child care program out of her home. She is well-versed in all things child development as well as the administrative side of running a child care business. She obtained her Vermont Birth to Pre-K Educators License in 2016 through the Peer Review process, and has participated in Act 166 from all sides since 2008.
Elsa attended Burlington High School and subsequently graduated from Trinity College in Vermont in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Fine Arts. She lives in Shelburne with her husband Mark and their three children (Miles, Emma, and Delaney). Elsa considers herself pretty lucky to have all of her family live within ten minutes of each other, and spends as much time as possible with them. In the winters, she can be found skiing the slopes of Bolton Valley with her family. In the summers, Elsa enjoys floating in her pool (though more likely being dunked under by the kids). She is also a hobby wood-turner, and spends plenty of quality time on her lathe turning logs of wood into beautiful bowls.
Jennifer Albers, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Jen (she/her) is a native Vermonter who moved back to the Green Mountains the first chance she got. She came to The Schoolhouse as a parent and quickly found herself immersed in all aspects of the school—from subbing in the preschool to making tacos for lunch to organizing tag sales.
Jen holds degrees in Journalism and in Music Performance. She has worked as a reporter, editor, graphic designer, photography editor, and redesign/branding consultant for publications across the US and in the Caribbean. Before children, she was a Title IX activist, had a short-lived stint as a lacrosse referee, and volunteered at an all-rabbit animal shelter. Locally she serves on the board of The Shelburne Players and in the past has served on the boards of the Cancer Patient Support Program and the former Vermont Council for Gifted Education.
In her spare time, Jen plays oboe and ukulele, is developing a line of delicious jams and jellies, and dabbles in theater photography. She enjoys glamping, works part-time at Bread & Butter Farm, and makes a mean cheeseboard. She has a perpetual Laundry Situation.
Preschool
Amy Carlson, Preschool Directing Team & Co-Head Teacher (Dragonflies)
Amy (she/her) is a Co-Head Teacher in the Dragonfly room. She joined the Storytime teaching team in June of 2013 where she worked with Katie McEachen, an original storytime teacher and environmental educator as well as mentor. Amy was also a long-time Schoolhouse parent until her daughter graduated from 8th grade in 2017.
Amy has worked with children and families for over 25 years and earned her CDA in 2009. She is currently working on her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and Vermont State Teaching License. When not at The Schoolhouse, Amy enjoys running and hiking on weekends with her family. She also loves to rock climb, explore, play ukulele, craft, and play in the snow—but mostly play!
Brynne Martin, Preschool Directing Team & Preschool Lead Teacher (Wild Grapes Classroom)
Brynne(she/her) grew up in Saratoga Springs, NY and graduated from UVM with a bachelor’s in history and classics. She obtained her early education teaching license through the peer review process and has been an early educator for nearly ten years. She has worked at Robin’s Nest Children’s Center where she worked with toddlers and preschoolers and at Lake Champlain Waldorf School where she taught mixed-age kindergarten. Brynne loves teaching with a play based emergent curriculum and has studied Waldorf and Reggio Emilia education philosophies and done masters work in literacy education. In her free time Brynne loves to bake, do yoga, and travel and explore new places.
Emily Boone Hawes, Preschool Support
Emily (she/her) loves exploring the world with children, which is why she loves her job! Before coming to Schoolhouse, she worked for five years at Shelburne Farms, teaching farm-based and nature-based education. Emily has a BA in Economics and Environmental Studies from Colby College and an MA in Teaching from the University of Vermont. When she’s not working, Emily likes spending time with friends and family, cooking, singing in the choir, playing soccer, and hiking or skiing in the winter.
Victoria Casson, Co-Head Teacher (Wild Grapes)
Victoria Casson (she/her) has been at the Schoolhouse since the fall of 2016. She began substitute teaching in all programs at The Schoolhouse, and then quickly found her place as a Wild Grape teacher by the summer of 2017. Victoria has previously been the After-School Director of the Preschool, and most recently accepted the role of Head Teacher in the Wild Grape room beginning the fall of 2020.
Victoria graduated from Champlain College with a BA in Public Relations, and a focus in Event Management in 2009. She is currently pursuing her MA in Early Childhood Education.
When she isn’t working, Victoria enjoys gardening, yoga, cooking and spending time with friends and family.
Eden Hubert, Co-Head Teacher (Dragonflies)
Eden (she/her) is a Co-Head teacher in the Dragonfly room. She's been a Dragonfly teacher at The Schoolhouse since early March 2020, just weeks before the COVID pandemic forced our school to switch to remote learning. She's been working with young children for almost 10 years; before The Schoolhouse, she graduated from UVM with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and her Vermont State Teaching License. While at UVM, she spent 3 years working, learning, and student teaching in an infant room, a toddler room, and a preschool room, as well as a year of student teaching in a public kindergarten. Aside from this, she has also worked as a lead young toddler teacher, a nanny for multiple families, and even a preschool ski instructor!
Her training in early education is in the Reggio Emilia method, which supports her own personal philosophy of bringing a strength-based, constructivist, nature-based, and emotion-informed approach to the preschool classroom. She knows children to be capable citizens of the world and have agency in their own learning. She views herself as a lifelong learner and, simply, loves the world of preschool.
When she's not at school, Eden enjoys reading, walking, and going to the lake.
Sally Lincoln, Preschool Lead Teacher (Field Food Forest focus)
Sally Lincoln (she/her) has been at The Schoolhouse since fall of 2012. She is one of the teachers in the Wild Grapes classroom in Story Time.
Prior to joining the Schoolhouse community, Sally worked at Shelburne Farms, working in the Children’s Farmyard as well as maple sugaring and lambing in the spring. She loves to share her sense of adventure and discovery of the natural world with children of all ages. In her free time, Sally loves to be outside: hiking, kayaking, gardening, or playing in the snow when winter arrives.
For the 22/23 school year Sally will be with both the Wild Grapes and Dragonflies continuing to explore the natural world with them, with opportunities to explore the school's wonderful wetlands and beyond. Being a teacher in both classes will allow for more connections and opportunities for the two classes to share experiences.
Judy Mallory, Preschool Teacher & Substitute (All Programs)
Judy (she/her) found her way to the Schoolhouse as a resident of the Dorset Farms neighborhood. Her children grew up, much to her dismay, and she missed spending time with young children. She works in Story Time, and also subs in the Elementary and Afterschool programs throughout the school year.
Judy grew up in South Burlington, graduating from South Burlington High School and Dartmouth College. She worked in publishing in New York City for five years after college, and then as Communications Director for the United Way of Chittenden County after moving back to Vermont. She has done consulting for charitable organizations, and volunteered in numerous capacities for the South Burlington School system while her children attended.
Judy lives with her husband, Ben, and dog, Kobe (who sometimes visits the children at Story Time), and her two sons, Mark and Andrew, whenever they make it home. She enjoys tennis, paddle tennis, skiing, reading, and walks, including the two-minute one she takes when traveling to and from work at the Schoolhouse.
Becca Mann, Co-Head Teacher (Wild Grapes)
Rebecca Mann grew up in central CT and moved to Burlington VT in 2012 with her now 16 year old son Julian. She resides in the NNE of Burlington near Lake Champlain in a cozy little house with Julian, their two cats, Violet and Henry, and their 2 year old puppy, Stormy Weather.
Rebecca’s educational background is primarily in creative writing, psychology, and clinical counseling, however most of her career experience has been working directly with children and families. Some of that experience includes: child-care as an infant/toddler teacher, trades (carpentry) Instructor for Rosie’s Girls camp for adolescent girls and non-gender conforming youth with VWFW, facilitator of Early Learning Readiness through the GBYMCA, facilitator of ACT Safe Parenting courses through the GBYMCA, and volunteer counseling for teens adjusting to motherhood through Manchester Community College. For the last 8 years prior to Rebecca’s employment at The Schoolhouse, she worked as the supervisor of the GBYMCA Membership Child care, and manager of the GBYMCA Family Programming.
In Rebecca’s free time she enjoys hiking with Julian and Stormy, drawing and painting with watercolors, healthy cooking, gardening, boating, and carpentry. Rebecca’s family is incredibly important to her, and during vacations she is almost always visiting with them in their little family cabin on the coast of Maine.
Rebecca’s goal as a Storytime preschool teacher is to bring her love of storytelling and visual art to life for the children. She also hopes to help create a calm and inviting environment full of learning opportunities, where children feel safe and valued.
Keenan Reinsborough, Preschool Teacher Wild Grapes and Flex)
Keenan Reinsborough (he/they) was born and raised in Burlington, Vermont. Growing up a twin, they have always had a strong sense of fairness, and appreciates working in a place where equity and fairness are valued. They graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School in 2018, following which they spent a year in a music program in London, Ontario. Keenan joined The Schoolhouse as a flex in the fall of 2021 and soon discovered that they loved working with 2-5 year olds. Since then, they have embraced early childhood education as a passion, and are thinking about going back to school to earn a degree in the field. In their spare time, they enjoy making beats on their computer, spending time in nature, and just hanging out with friends!
Molly Skrable, Preschool Teacher (Dragonflies and Flex) and Farm Food Forest
Molly (she/her) joined The Schoolhouse community in 2019 as an AmeriCorps member. She was drawn to the school because she was encouraged to not only share her love for hands-on learning with the students, but to simultaneously learn from the students and the land. After her AmeriCorps year, she continued at The Schoolhouse as the Tau aide and as the Field Food Forest teacher. Throughout her years she has worked with the preschool in bits and pieces, and is incredibly excited to encapsulate herself in the beautiful wildness of the Wild Grapes & Dragonflies this year.
Molly graduated from the University of Vermont in 2019 with a degree in Geography, and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. Her focus was on Human Geography and the relationship between people and place. At The Schoolhouse, she brings this expertise to the field when exploring the forest with students. She strives to help students create building blocks for a lifetime of active and thoughtful engagement with natural spaces.
When Molly isn't at The Schoolhouse, she is coaching a youth rock climbing team at MetroRock. As a coach, she creates spaces for youth climbers to develop a relationship with the sport that is deeper than a recreational activity. Molly loves to rock climb and challenge her body and mind!
Elementary
Ekta Sampson, Elementary Teacher (K-1, Alpha Class)
Ekta (she/her) grew up in Morrisville, Vermont. She holds a BA in Psychology from Colby-Sawyer College and a Master's in Elementary Education from Lesley University. Ekta worked as a behavioral interventionist in Vermont public schools for three years before moving to Boston to pursue a teaching career. Upon graduating, Ekta taught SPED and general education in the lower elementary grades for several years. During the past three years she has been teaching kindergarten in Vermont public schools.
Ekta was thrilled when the Alpha position became available. She is grateful to have found The Schoolhouse, an independent learning community that aligns so closely with her own values and philosophies. She was drawn to The Schoolhouse for many reasons: its idyllic setting amidst protected wetlands, commitment to anti-racism, dedicated staff, and diversity of students and families.
Ekta stays active in all seasons. She enjoys backcountry snowshoeing and boarding, xc skiing, hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking and motorcross. She is an avid soccer player, ice hockey goalie and golfer, and likes coaching as well.
She loves spending time with her family, being in the woods, trail blazing, building fires, and roasting marshmallows for gourmet s'mores.
Baker Baker, Elementary Teacher's Aide
(K-1, Alpha Class)
Baker (she/her) is so excited to join the Schoolhouse community. She graduated from the University of Vermont in the spring of 2021 with a degree in Environmental studies. Baker has worked for many years at summer camps, becoming a leader and a friend to children of all ages. She is thrilled to work with students throughout the year at the Schoolhouse.
In her free time, Baker likes to rock climb, hang out with her cat and dog, hammock in the woods, do yoga, lay in the sun, read, and spend time outdoors with friends.
Sara Bankert, Elementary Teacher (2-3, Tau Class)
Sara (she/her) joined The Schoolhouse after teaching middle school science in the Washington, DC area for seven years. Most recently, she taught 5th and 6th grade science at a progressive Quaker school. When she moved to Burlington in September 2016 with her partner Craig, she was anxious to find a school that fit her creative and holistic approach to teaching. She quickly found The Schoolhouse and enjoyed subbing there (at every level). Sara was beyond thrilled when a classroom position opened up in 2017!
Sara graduated from Cornell University in 2008 with a BA in Physics and a MAT in Secondary Education. She took a brief “break” from teaching while in DC to pursue another passion—animal rights. She quickly missed the classroom and realized she could find ways to incorporate her love for animals into her teaching. At her last school she started a student led Animal Advocacy group, where students explored issues of compassion and justice. When she’s not teaching, Sara loves to spend time with family and friends, hike, bike, run, cook delicious vegan food, and make pottery!
Jeb Brady, Elementary Teacher’s Aide (2-3, Tau Class) & Elementary Physical Education Instructor
Jeb (he/him) started his career in childcare at The Schoolhouse in the summer of 2013. For two years Jeb worked in the Dragonfly classroom. In 2015 Jeb switched roles and took over as lead in the preschool afterschool program, and worked two days in the Wild Grape classroom. Jeb completed the Vermont Child Care Industry and Careers Council Apprenticeship program under the mentorship of Amy Carlson. In the late fall of 2016 Jeb left The Schoolhouse to pursue other career options.
After struggling to find interests elsewhere in the job world, Jeb returned to The Schoolhouse as a teacher’s aid in the Alpha classroom. In his new position, Jeb hopes to expand his knowledge of child development focusing on the area of school aged children. Jeb also hopes to be a positive contribution to the planning and organization of gross motor group games and sport activities for the children at Schoolhouse.
In his spare time, Jeb very much enjoys being a father and spending time with his family. He also enjoys hiking, cooking, and participating in various sports. Jeb is also an avid football fan and greatly enjoys following his favorite team, The New England Patriots.
Laura Castrigano, Tau Math
Laura (she/her) grew up in Grafton, Vermont, and has spent much of her life exploring the state on foot and bicycle (she even met her partner while thru-hiking the Long Trail!). She is thrilled to be back in her home state after teaching in Connecticut for six years, and is enjoying discovering Burlington with her partner Dan and their young son.
Laura graduated from Middlebury College with a BA in Sociology/Anthropology and a minor and certification in Elementary Education. Laura has taught in Kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms and is especially passionate about math education. She has a MA in Teaching Mathematics from Mount Holyoke College, and strives to make the math classroom an inclusive, inviting, and celebratory environment in which all children can thrive.
In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time outside with her family, learning new board games, and continuing her search for the best vegan pizza in Chittenden county.
Justin Morrison, Elementary Teacher (4-5, Sophos Class long-term sub)
Justin Morrison (he/him) joined The Schoolhouse in the fall of 2020, first as a preschool teacher and now as a Sophos teacher. Justin has been working with children since 2014, bringing his passions of singing, music, gardening, woodworking, and science into the classroom. In addition to Vermont, Justin has taught Elementary and Preschool children in Boston and Toronto, often helping children with special needs.
While earning his M.Ed. in Early Childhood and Elementary education from Antioch University New England, he was able to explore nature- and place-based education with some leading experts in the field. Justin also enjoys cooking, camping, canoeing, and caring for animals. His household menagerie currently includes a small rabbit, a gigantic cat, six axolotls, and seven fish.
Han Snyder, Elementary Teacher (4-5, Sophos Class long-term sub and Integrated Arts)
After releasing two full-length albums while they were still in high school, Han (they/them) realized they wanted to take their experience and use it to help children learn about the power of song. Working with children for several years, Han has used their extensive background in music & art to empower kids to think and create freely!
Han uses guitar, banjo, drums, singing, and a composition-based program to make music an important piece of curriculum at Schoolhouse. Han hopes they can help students feel empowered to express themselves musically and to use composition and art as an avenue to address issues of social and environmental justice.
Barry Steyling, Sophos Math & Afterschool
Barry (he/him) is a life-long educator with a focus on social justice, history, and government/civics. Born and raised in what he refers to as the "Great State of New Jersey", he moved to New England for college and never left. He now lives with his partner and hound-dog in Fairfax, Vermont. Barry's educational experience includes working with Bolton's Chill program, classroom teaching, and volunteering at a summer camp in Mongolia teaching literacy to elementary-aged kids. He loves everything outdoors, is an accomplished Dungeons and Dragons player, and travels the world when possible. Barry is excited to join the Schoolhouse community.
Middle School
Chris Broughton, Middle School Humanities Teacher
Chris (he/him) was born and raised in the Great Lakes state of Michigan, where he developed a love for all things outdoors. He graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2008 with a BS in Secondary Education History and English. He promptly moved to Bethel, Alaska where he taught for four years at an alternative high school serving the local Native Alaskan population. He refined his teaching skills during this time to focus on working with students who benefit from a more individualized curriculum than was typically offered in a public school setting. In 2012 Chris moved to
Burlington, VT with his partner who is now his wife, and he landed a job at a school operated by the Howard Center. There he taught all general subjects in an alternative therapeutic setting, serving students who struggled with behavioral and emotional challenges. This work continued his career focus with students who benefit from more individualized support so they can achieve academic success. Chris and his wife have two young children, and Chris loves being able to teach part-time at Schoolhouse and be a devoted stay-at-home dad.
Shane Bufano, Middle School Math Teacher
Shane (he/him) teaches math in the Delta (middle school) classroom. He has been very active in education as a teacher and a coach for the past decade. Shane earned his BA in Elementary Education from Green Mountain College. Prior to The Schoolhouse, Shane was a founding member of the faculty at Vermont Athletic Academy where he taught Math and Language Arts. Shane also held several educational positions at Williston Central School and Allen Brook School in Williston.
Outside of the school setting, Shane is a very successful soccer coach in the area. He’s a member of the coaching staff for the Saint Michael’s College Women’s Soccer Team. Shane is also the director of coaching for Queen City Football Club, which he founded in 2011, having developed it to incorporate 20 teams between U-7 and U-19, with more than 330 boys and girls in the program. He holds several coaching certifications such as: a United States Soccer Federation “D” License and both a Director of Coaching Diploma and a Goalkeeping Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
In 2013, Shane was named Vermont Soccer Association (VSA) Girls Coach of the Year for club soccer with his U-16 Queen City FC girls’ team.
Lorraine Carter-Lovejoy, Middle School Science Teacher & lead teacher
Lorraine (she/her) is originally from Richmond, VA. She attended West Virginia University, where she studied music and wildlife management. She spent these days hanging in the woods to look for ginseng, and playing trombone at football games across the country.
After working in outdoor education and for Outward Bound, Lorraine moved to Vermont in 2012. She taught at Centerpoint School, Rock Point School, and then worked in HR administration at the UVM Medical Center. At Schoolhouse she teaches the middle schoolers, who are active learners interested in creating a meaningful educational experience for themselves. What she likes about Schoolhouse is the flexible and supportive community for both teachers and students.
In addition to teaching at Schoolhouse, Lorraine also runs Wildflower Wilderness Expeditions, a hiking/expedition summer camp for teens. She also plays and coaches ultimate Frisbee. In her free time, Lorraine likes to ski, canoe, travel, and “yarden" with her family in Burlington.
Afterschool & Specials
Joni AvRutick, Music Teacher
Joni AvRutick (she/her) is an educator and songwriter.
She worked as the Tau Room classroom teacher at the Schoolhouse from 1990 through 2015. She then returned as a substitute teacher in all grade levels from 2015 to the present. Before joining the Schoolhouse, she was a teacher/director of a full-time preschool program in Rockville, Maryland.
During the 1980s, Joni fulfilled her hobo dreams of traveling around the world for five years (pre internet,) and living in countries including India, Indonesia, Taiwan, Egypt, Israel, Turkey & Greece, for extended lengths of time. She worked on a Kibbutz in Israel for 7 months and taught English to children & adults in Taiwan and South Korea during her travels.
She is proud of her children and family CD “In a Tree,” that she recorded with her musical partner Gigi Wiseman and includes 15 of her original songs.
In her free time Joni performs at open mics and meanders by bike, foot or cross-country skis in beautiful places. She never tires of the beauty of Vermont!
Ethan Beinner-Desranleau, Flex & Afterschool
Ethan (he/him) was born in Vermont and has yet to leave. His first experience with The Schoolhouse was as an Alpha 1, which feels like an eternity ago. Ethan finished out his Elementary years at Schoolhouse and liked it enough to come back to teach! He’s now working as a Flex Teacher and in the ‘big kid’ Afterschool Program.
Ethan is currently studying Neuroscience at the University of Vermont with a focus on early-childhood development and care. Ethan loves sharing his interests in natural science—an interest cultivated by his time at The Schoolhouse—and space with children and adults alike. Outside of teaching Ethan reads constantly and enjoys organizing and playing a myriad of tabletop and card games.
Anne Borick, Chef & FFF Teacher
Anne (she/her) grew up in New Jersey. She graduated from Sweet Briar College in 1992 with a BA in Biology, minoring in Chemistry. In 1996 she moved to Vermont to attend the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier. She graduated two years later with an AOS in Culinary Arts.
Anne settled in Vermont and worked in several bakeries and cafes before focusing on culinary teaching. She has been a Chef Instructor for both the New England Culinary Institute and Burlington Technical Center. She enjoys the science and art of the subject and is thrilled to be The Schoolhouse Chef and a Field Food Forest teacher.
When not in the kitchen, and can be found on the golf course (learning to play) or crafting at home. She has two adult children and two younger stepchildren.
Sarah Fletcher, Afterschool Director, FFF & Art
Sarah (she/her or they/them) joined the Schoolhouse community in the Fall of 2016 as a staff member in ‘big kid’ Afterschool. Now she directs the Afterschool Program! She also instructs in the Field Food Forest program and teaches Art to the Elementary and Middle School kiddos.
Sarah graduated from the University of Vermont with a BA in Environmental Studies and a minor in Ecological Agriculture. Before coming to The Schoolhouse, she worked in farm and wilderness-based education programs in both Vermont and California.
At The Schoolhouse, Sarah enjoys helping to foster a kind, safe, loving, silly, and supportive community for all students, families, and teachers. Sarah believes that teaching is a collaborative process between both students and teachers. She feels strongly that it is the job of the teacher to guide and inspire students in cultivating their own interests and talents rather than to force them to learn material they are not passionate about.
When Sarah’s not at school, she spends her time whittling, hiking, reading, exploring, crafting, and speaking squirrel.
James Kreider, Flex & Afterschool
James (they/them) was a student at The Schoolhouse from ages 4 ½ to 14 ½. Growing up the school was always a constant and now that they’ve graduated high school, they’re here to give back to the community as a flex teacher and Afterschool staff member during their gap year. Joining as a staff member in August of 2022, James has loved spending time in the preschool, pushing kids on the swings, reading stories, and learning together. When not working, James enjoys hiking Vermont’s mountains, writing short stories and poetry, taking photos of the cool things they see, and teaching themself guitar.
Tana Randall-Wolfe, Health Teacher
Tana Randall-Wolfe's (she/her) love for The Schoolhouse began when she was 21 years old and worked in the elementary Afterschool program for a year. She comes from a large family, and the five core concepts resonated with her sense of social justice, what it means to belong, and work together for a common purpose. She eventually came back to The Schoolhouse with her own children for their elementary and middle school years.
Tana has spent much of her professional life working with groups - children, adults, and families - in a variety of settings. She received a Masters in Social Work from Simmons College in 2001, and has worked in the fields of mental health, domestic violence, foster/adoptive care, parent support, and education. She is an advisor at the Community College of Vermont and teaches courses in psychology and human development. At Schoolhouse, Tana teaches health classes - about human sexuality, personal safety, substance abuse, self care and positive mental health.
While not working, Tana likes spending time with her family, watching movies, tending the family chickens and dogs, reading, doodling, and daydreaming. She has aspirations to get her house painted before the next snowfall, exercise more, and cut back those bushes around the apple tree that's growing in her yard.