Learning Matters Blog and VAL Updates

Allison: VAL helped me learn that I was resilient (8/4/2021) - Allison works at Lucas Industries, an aerospace company in North Springfield, Vermont. The Springfield area, historically, has been a center for precision industries. Allison supports manufacturing of helicopter blades. She is also intentional in her willingness to work across areas of the company as needs arise. She hopes to work her way up within the company. She recognizes that growing her skills---across departments---enhances her value as an employee. Allison is also a newly-minted high school graduate, having completed her studies at VAL’s Learning Center in Springfield, Vermont. Her high school experience was impacted by anxiety, depression and simply feeling unwell…

Kathy McCullough: Keeping VAL Organized (7/28/2021) - When it comes to highlighting the talented staff at Vermont Adult Learning, who better to spotlight than Kathy McCullough, the Office Manager at the Windsor County Learning Center in White River Junction. Kathy grew up in Westerly, Rhode Island, before making her way up to Vermont during adulthood. Prior to working at VAL, she spent her time in Student Affairs at Vermont Law School (VLS), where she loved working directly with student affinity groups to plan events and celebrations. For a few years, Kathy planned the commencement ceremony for the law school, and this year she will be doing the…

Ethan Maurer: Bringing Excitement and Energy to Learning (7/22/2021) - Ethan, the Regional Director for Chittenden County, has been with VAL for around thirteen years. He began by working as a High School Completion Plan Manager where he worked with students to create individualized programs to help them achieve their diplomas. After that, he became the High School Completion Program Manager where he oversaw the program on a state-wide level. Ethan has always recognized the significance of education; his parents instilled its importance into him from a young age. However, he says he was not very invested in his traditional educational experience, which is a big reason he values VAL’s…

Sue Smithson: Inspired by the Courage of Our Students (7/14/2021) - Sue is the Office Manager for VAL’s Addison County Learning Center. Sue proctors GED and student assessment tests, conducts student orientation and onboarding, serves on an agency-wide data specialist group, performs data entry, meets with students (new and old), and makes sure the needs of teachers are met---usually in regards to ordering needed materials. VAL’s Addison County office recently moved and Sue assumed many tasks associated with the transition to a new space in the Marble Works in Middlebury. After high school, Sue attended a 2-year technical school in order to become a veterinary technician. Following graduation, she moved to…

Joy Gaine: Encouraging Students to Build Confidence (7/7/2021) - Joy Gaine, an admired teacher here at VAL, began her work six years ago teaching Adult Basic Education (ABE) and working with English Language Learners (ELL). In the past few years, her work has expanded to include high school completion education, as well as advising. Originally from Long Island, New York, Joy spent her college years in the Catskill Mountains at SUNY New Paltz where she received a degree in Sociology and earned a teaching certificate in Elementary Education. Before coming to VAL, she spent time as an “in-house educator” for a nonprofit environmental organization where she focused on teaching…

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Learning Matters Blog and VAL Updates