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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

Hal Cohen: Moving Strategic Initiatives Forward (4/8/2021) - Hal Cohen is the Executive Director at Vermont Adult Learning. As he described his job, “the buck stops with me.” He stated that he is very fortunate to have Regional Directors at each of VAL’s locations and that, as part of his job, he does check-ins with each of them; oversees a leadership team consisting of the Regional Directors, Director of Programs, and other administrative staff; directly supervises those in administrative positions; and serves as the primary contact to both the public and the government. However, Hal stated that his major role as Executive Director is, “putting out fires, dealing…

Rebecca Shames: Intern (3/23/2021) - Rebecca Shames is VAL’s inaugural Development & Communications Intern. She is a senior at the University of Vermont, double majoring in French and Sociology with a minor in History. Rebecca grew up in Massachusetts. Her affinity for French language and culture started with her first French class in sixth grade at Blake Middle School in Medfield. She decided then that she would find a way to live abroad, eventually. Rebecca spent part of her junior year at UVM studying at Université de Caen in Normandy, along France’s Atlantic Coast. She hopes to teach English in France when she graduates, to…

Joe Przyperhart: VAL Gives People Opportunity (3/18/2021) - Joe Przyperhart has been the Director of Programs at Vermont Adult Learning for the past 5 years. Prior to that, he was a Regional Director for several years. As the Director of Programs, Joe works across all regions to make sure the programs are running smoothly. This includes a lot of coordination and making sure that everyone understands the programs in place and what needs to be happening. He also works directly with the Regional Directors in all seven counties and helps support them in implementing programs. Joe explained that when deciding what programs to implement, a lot of it…

Elizabeth: VAL gave me the tools to continue my education in the U.S. (3/10/2021) - Elizabeth, an English Language Learning (ELL) student at Vermont Adult Learning (VAL) in Rutland, was born in Archidona, Ecuador. Trained as an economist in her homeland, her professional background includes international work as a policy analyst, director of research, and independent consultant. Her skills allow her to apply quantitative analysis to complex economic and social policies. Elizabeth immigrated to the U.S. in 2014 with her husband. Although she studied English (and French) in Ecuador, her knowledge of English was limited. Elizabeth recognized the importance of expanding her English competency to prepare for continued studies. Her husband attended college in the…

New Regional Director for Windham County (3/4/2021) - Kimberly Sizelove has been named Regional Director of Vermont Adult Learning’s Windham County office. She joined Vermont Adult Learning in 2021, entering the organization in her role as Regional Director. Kimberly holds a Master of the Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) and she has worked in the field of International Education for many years. Some of the places she has worked while in this field include: the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States. Prior to being a Regional Director at Vermont Adult Learning, she most recently managed a Bed and Breakfast on a farmstead in Brattleboro,…