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Welcome to Vermont Adult Learning!

Vermont Adult Learning helps adult learners, ages 16 and older, acquire reading, writing, math, and computer skills to earn high school diplomas/GEDs. We teach English Language Learners skills to advance educationally and at work. We engage in workforce development. Our services are offered at no cost and are available in person and online. Text VAL to 833-900-0907 or contact a Learning Center nearest to you to learn more!

Note for in-person learning: We no longer require masks in our learning centers. Anyone at high risk or wishing to continue wearing a mask for other reasons is welcome to do so. We will continue to have masks available in our centers for those who need them.

Those who choose to wear a mask do so because it is a decision they have made for their health and safety. Vermont Adult Learning expects that decision to be respected. If you have concerns about your safety, please let us know so we can discuss options to address them.

Learning Matters Blog and VAL Updates

Meet Dee Dee O’Brien VAL Volunteer (11/25/2020) - Dee Dee O’Brien grew up in Los Angeles. She studied molecular biology and biochemistry in college before earning a Master’s Degree in Public Health. She spent time working in research labs and, eventually, shifted her career to graphic arts. An eye for detail in a lab specimen translates easily to an eye for detail in design. She also actively studies French, a helpful skill in her role at VAL. Dee Dee has volunteered in VAL’s Beginning Literacy classes, alongside teacher Anne Clift, since 2017. She supports English Language Learning for New American students, many of whom are refugees. Dee Dee…

Is the Time the Same or Faster? (11/19/2020) - Written by Rhaiza Ebel, a VAL English Language Learning Student from Brazil “A lot of people use watches, only a few with time.” I do not know the author of this phrase, however, it makes me think about it. Before the pandemic, I had heard a lot of people (me included) saying: “I don’t have time to do this,” but is this true? Or is this just us saying no for something in a “educated/polite” way? Or this is us not giving/wanting the “right” attention for something? Saying "no" to a friend or parents who need/want to talk, saying "no"…

Staff Profile: Ashley Dailey (11/12/2020) - Ashley serves as Regional Director of VAL’s two Windsor County Learning Centers. Ashley is deeply committed to our students. When she sees a need, she finds a way to address it. Some students arrive after a full day of work and are hungry. Ashley applied for a grant from a local grocery store and received funding to provide healthy snacks for students. As VAL reopened after COVID-19 closings, students needed encouragement to come in for academic assessments, a crucial step in earning their H.S. Diplomas. Ashley worked with staff to create "assessment goody bags" to incentivize students to safely return…

I came to VAL because I wanted to finish something ~Laurentia (10/29/2020) - Laurentia is a 59-year-old resident of Windsor County. She was born in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada to Dutch immigrant parents. School did not come easily to her. Today, she stands out as someone who speaks about her experiences with wonderful ease. She loves to read recreationally and is presently enjoying a saga about a pioneer woman. She reads a lot despite a diagnosis of Fuchs Dystrophy, a condition causing blurring in one of her eyes. “I left school in the 10th grade,” Laurentia said. “I was getting up early, staying up late and staying in during recess to study. I worked with tutors. I…

Teacher Profile: Meg Reynolds (10/22/2020) - Meg is an accomplished teacher, poet, and illustrator who, in addition to teaching writing and humanities at VAL, organizes community poetry readings and facilitates writing circles for women in prison. As a teacher, Meg supports students, ages 16+, overcoming barriers in accessing their education due to trauma, learning disabilities, poverty, mental health challenges and/or displacement from their homelands due to war or political turmoil. Fostering a safe, yet aspirational, learning environment with students of varying skill levels requires considerable talent! “Meg is a very caring teacher who treats each student with respect and kindness while also ensuring accountability," said Ethan…

Welcome to Vermont Adult Learning!

Learning Matters Blog and VAL Updates

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