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, Child Care Programs Directing Team
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, Communications Director & Admissions 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 having 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 as vice president of The Shelburne Players and plays oboe and English Horn with the Vermont Symphonic Winds.
In her spare time, Jen is developing a line of delicious jams and jellies, and flirting with theater photography. She enjoys glamping and makes a mean cheeseboard. She has a perpetual Laundry Situation.
Anne Mollo, Development Coordinator
Anne (she/they) has been connected with The Schoolhouse since 2014, when her children became students here. In addition to parent volunteer work for the school, she served for seven years as a voting member of the board of directors, and as board co-chair for four of those years. Now she guides Schoolhouse fundraising efforts, and continues to support short- and long-term strategic planning and fiscal management.
Anne has a BA in English from New York University, with a specialization in writing. Her theatrical training includes stints at HB Studio, Berkeley Rep, and Second City. As a communications professional, project manager, and thespian, she has over 30 years of experience across multiple industries, helping organizations achieve clarity in the missions, values and messages they share with their communities. She brings empathy and playfulness to all of her work.
When not at Schoolhouse, Anne enjoys participating in various forms of performance art, including acting, improvisational theater, and comedy. She also co-produces (and often hosts) a monthly storytelling event at the Shelburne Vineyard.
Preschool
Amy Carlson, Preschool Directing Team & Preschool Lead 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)
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.
Aylie Baker, Lead Preschool Teacher & Elementary Field Food Forest program
Aylie (she/her) grew up in coastal Maine. She studied history and ethnography at Middlebury College and environmental studies at the University of Oregon. For much of her 20s she lived in Micronesia, sailing traditional canoes and supporting the continuance of canoe culture there.
She came to the Schoolhouse as a substitute teacher in 2018 and fell in love with the community. Over the years she has worked as a preschool teacher with Dragonflies and Wild Grapes in Storytime, as the Forest Teacher for the FFF program and as a 1:1 aide in the Tau classroom. She loves telling stories ("from her mouth"), reading the weather patterns, and generally getting lost in the natural world with children. She spends her freetime outdoors, writing poetry and training to become a clinical herbalist. One of her all time favorite poems is "For the Children" by Gary Snyder. The final lines read: "stay together / learn the flowers / go light."
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.
Rosie Farmer, Preschool Assistant Teacher (Dragonflies)
Rosie Farmer (she/her) grew up in Westford, Vermont in a very large family. She has earned her associates degree at CCV in liberal arts and will be attending UVM in the fall of 2023 to finish her bachelors in social work. Growing up in a big family with a lot of siblings and cousins has inspired her passion to work with kids. She started subbing at The Schoolhouse in September 2022 and quickly realized how great the staff and program was. Later she accepted the assistant preschool teacher role in the Dragonfly classroom! Some of her other passions include, hiking, walks outside, reading, horseback riding and trying to stay active in general while being outside!
Eden Hubert, 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.
Hannah Johnson, Preschool Assistant Teacher
Hannah (she/her), grew up on Cape Cod and is a Bates College graduate with a background in geology and anthropology. After graduating, she explored the mountains of Utah and Colorado. As a naturalist in Aspen and a school gardens educator in Boulder, CO, she passionately shared her love for nature, fostering a deep connection between students and the outdoors.
Returning to the East Coast, Hannah is joining the Schoolhouse community and diving into a new chapter — Speech Language Pathology. With the goal of becoming a speech teacher, she aims to empower others through effective communication.
Away from the classroom, Hannah finds joy by the ocean and in the mountains– open water swimming, surfing, running and skiing.
Sally Lincoln, Preschool Lead Teacher
Sally Lincoln (she/her) has been at The Schoolhouse since fall of 2012. She has primarily focused her time with the preschool, but in the past has helped with Big Kid after school and with the FFF program.
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, 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 17 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.
Molly Skrable, Preschool Lead Teacher (Dragonflies)
Molly (she/her) is a teacher in the Dragonfly classroom. She joined the Schoolhouse community in 2019 as an AmeriCorps member, and has served other roles since then - mainly as the Forest instructor for the Field Food Forest program. She started her journey in Storytime in June 2022, and quickly fell in love with the strength based, student-centered and nature-based approach of the Dragonfly classroom.
Molly graduated from the University of Vermont in 2019 with a degree in Human Geography and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. Her studies focused on the relationship between people and place - she brings this expertise and her curiosity to the field when exploring the land with young children. She strives to help each child create building blocks for a lifetime of active and thoughtful engagement with natural spaces. Molly's goal is to partner with children, rather than fill a role as an instructor. In this meaningful partnership, she encourages each child to follow their path of curiosity and engagement.
When Molly isn't at The Schoolhouse, you'll find her rock climbing in the woods with her partner and dog or coaching the 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.
Serena Zepeda, Assistant Preschool Teacher
Serena (she/her) recently graduated from UVM with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Education for Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in the spring of 2023. Serena has been working at the Schoolhouse since June 2023. Before working The Schoolhouse Serena worked as a substitute teacher in the Mount Mansfield school district.
Serena grew up in South Florida, spending her free time at the beach or by the pool. Coming to Vermont was a big change and she is still adapting to the cold. Serena now spends her free time playing with her cat, Spooky, baking, and crafting.
Elementary
Ekta Sampson, Elementary Teacher (K-1, Alpha Class)
Ekta (she/her) grew up in Morrisville, Vermont. She has a BA in Psychology from Colby-Sawyer College and a Master's in Elementary Education with specialization in structured literacy instruction from Lesley University. She holds four teaching licenses: Early Childhood; Elementary K-6; Special Education; and Middle School Math.
Since 2013, Ekta has worked in education, both in Boston and Vermont. She has taught kindergarten through 4th grade as a classroom teacher and special educator. Her favorite, by far, has been kindergarten and 1st grade — where the magic happens, and learning begins.
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.
Ekta enjoys soccer, ice hockey, backcountry snowshoeing and boarding, xc skiing, hiking, and motocross. She loves spending time with her family, playing in the woods, trail blazing, building fires and roasting marshmallows.
Marc Hughes, Elementary Teacher's Aide (K-1, Alpha Class)
Marc (he, him) grew up in Springfield, Vermont. He joins The Schoolhouse Community after several years of substitute and part-time teaching in Colorado and Vermont. Marc graduated from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania with a BS in Art Education.
Marc's true talent lies with his life's purpose as a cartoon illustrator. He has written and designed children's books and activity books, done ad work and is proficient at doing caricatures. His portfolio is filled with work that hints of his progressive slant towards society and life, whether it be health, diversity or constructive thinking in some educational way. He has done work for a full-length documentary about a "World Citizen" activist and illustrated a book about a monk who hands out positive statement stickers. He currently finished the drawings and layout for a graphic novel about the importance of plankton in our oceans and lakes. Plus, thanks to Covid, recently dared himself to self-publish a YA fantasy novel that, in many ways, honors American Indians, as well as wolves, within one exciting story. Marc is most famous for the thousands of caricatures he has drawn in the area since his four-year stint as a street artist on Church Street in Burlington.
In his spare time, Marc likes to bike, hike, paddle-board, kayak, ski and cross-country ski. He has two wonderful older children, both exploring life in the Big Apple.
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! She’s been the lead teacher in the Tau room ever since, and is now lucky enough to have her daughter Margaret at the Schoolhouse as well - right around the corner in the Dragonfly room!
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!
Baker Baker, Elementary Teacher's Aide
(2-3, Tau Class) & Integrated Arts Teacher
Baker (she/her) is so grateful to be part of the Schoolhouse community. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 2021 with a B.S. in Environmental Studies. Baker has worked at summer camps for many years, becoming a leader and a friend to children of all ages. She joined the Schoolhouse community in 2021 and has since worked in the Tau, Alpha, and Wild Grapes classrooms and in the FFF program. She absolutely loves to teach and play and explore with kiddos.
In her free time, Baker likes to rock climb, jump in puddles, and spend time outdoors with friends.
Laura Castrigano, Alpha & 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.
Jeb Brady, Elementary Teacher (4-5, Sophos class)
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.
Barry Steyling, Elementary Teacher's Aide, 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 coached at the collegiate level as the head coach of the men's team at Vermont State University-Johnson and is second all-time in NCAA wins. He has been 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 and developed to incorporate twenty teams between U-7 and U-19, with more than 500 children in the program. He holds several coaching certifications including a United Soccer Coaches Advanced National License and Director of Coaching Diploma, as well as the United States Soccer Federation “D” License.
Shane has also earned prestigious coaching awards and was recently named VSCA Capital League Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2023 for coaching Stowe High School. He was also named the Vermont State Small School Coach of the Year in 2022 (again at Stowe HS). And in 2023, he was named Vermont Soccer Association (VSA) Girls Coach of the Year for club soccer for work with Queen City FC.
Lorraine Carter-Lovejoy, Middle School Science Teacher & Lead Teacher, Elementary FFF 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
Anne Borick, Chef, Field Food Forest, Afterschool & Preschool
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 joined The Schoolhouse in 2017 as Food Service Director and Chef. She also has teaching roles in FFF, Afterschool, and substitutes in the Preschool during the summer months.
Megan McKeown, Afterschool Head Teacher & Field Food Forest program
Megan (she/her) is so excited to be a part of The Schoolhouse in the Afterschool program and FFF roles this year. Last winter, she was a substitute teacher and fell in love with the Schoolhouse community.
Before joining The Schoolhouse, Megan taught at a forest preschool in Washington state, and lead summer-long backpacking trip for teens. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 2020 and loves all the Burlington area has to offer. She enjoys playing outside, bird watching, board games, watching jeopardy, and cooking for friends.
She is most excited to explore the gorgeous land surrounding The Schoolhouse and investigate how it changes throughout the school year.
Tana Randall-Wolfe, Health Teacher
Tana Randall-Wolfe's (she/her) love for The Schoolhouse began when she was in college 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, is an advisor at the Community College of Vermont, and teaches courses in psychology and human development. At Schoolhouse, Tana teaches about healthy sexuality and personal safety.
While not working, Tana enjoys tending the family chickens and dogs, gardening, reading, doodling, and daydreaming. She has aspirations to get her house painted before the next snowfall, and cut back those bushes around the apple tree that's growing in her yard.
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.
Raven Kincaid, Afterschool & Preschool
Raven Kincaid (they/she) is thrilled to join The Schoolhouse community, having recently relocated from Michigan with their family and two dogs, Bosco and Kiki.
During high school, Raven coached mountain biking and field hockey, fostering a culture of inclusivity, teamwork, and a deep appreciation for the great outdoors among young athletes.
An internship as an art teacher sparked their love for guiding students in their creative pursuits, ultimately leading them here to The Schoolhouse!
With five years of experience as a ski instructor for kids aged 5-12, Raven knows how to make learning fun. Currently taking a gap year to build their art portfolio and gain teaching experience, Raven is eager to blend art and science in the great outdoors with The Schoolhouse community.
Outside of work you’ll find them engaged with art projects, cuddling with their guinea pigs (Molly, Moose, and PW), backpacking, or walking their dogs.
Lance Whitesel, Afterschool & Preschool
Lance (he/him) joined the Schoolhouse team in the fall of 2023, alongside the start of his Online Masters of Elementary Education program at Western Governors University. He graduated from the University of Mary Washington in 2021 with a B.A. in Geography and Environmental Sustainability.
Lance worked as a Software Engineer following undergrad, but eventually found that his real calling was to elementary school teaching, which inspired him to pursue his Masters in Elementary Education.
Lance loves teaching at The Schoolhouse because it gives him the opportunity to work with students of all ages, and to teach them valuable skills in the arts, environmental consciousness, and social justice.
Lance spends his free time training for marathons, rock climbing, songwriting, and getting outside whenever he can!
Danielle Levine, Field Food Forest program
Danielle Levine (she/her) is excited to be part of the Schoolhouse community! She was born in Rhode Island and has a deep love for the beach and ocean creatures. She came to Vermont to attend Middlebury College and graduated with a new love of the mountains. For the past 15 years, Danielle has taught grades 3-8 and discovered her passion for science. She has a M. Ed. in Teaching Science K-8 from Lesley University and spent a year working at Nature’s Classroom, an outdoor education center with a core team building and ropes course component. The outdoors is where Danielle feels most comfortable whether it is running, kayaking, cross country skiing, drawing or reading in her hammock or eating her way through the woods. She is most grateful and excited to have wetlands and woods on the school site. It always makes for a wonderful year!