Meet Our Teachers

I am one of the Early Childhood Special Educators for the early education program at Allen Brook School. I began at Shelburne in the fall of 2018. I grew up in Essex and still live there! I'm an only child, have a daughter and have a puppy. I love traveling, spending time outside,and have recently developed a love for camping and fishing. I went to school at the University of Vermont for Early Childhood Education and continued my education at the UVM graduate program in Early Childhood Special Education. I have worked at Allen Brook School as a kindergarten special educator, which is also where I completed my graduate internship in the preschool program. Previously, I was at Malletts Bay School in Colchester. I'm very excited to be teaching at Allen Brook school and in the CVSD community and I am looking forward to learning, teaching and adventuring with the preschoolers! Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions!

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Danielle Hardy, M.Ed.

Early Childhood Special Educator

dhardy@cvsdvt.org

Click here for Danielle and Deb's Classrom site

I am proud to be both a parent and a teacher in the Williston School District. I feel fortunate to be teaching in a district that recognizes and values the importance of early education for the youngest members of our community. My certifications include early childhood special education as well as speech language pathology. I have been working in Williston since 2004.

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Jodi Russell, M.Ed.

Early Childhood Special Educator

jmlrussell@cvsdvt.org

802-871-6236

CLICK HERE FOR JODI RUSSELL'S CLASS LINK

Having had the privilege of working as a Speech and Language Pathologist in early education for over 20 years, I often wonder if there could possibly be a better job? I am happy to be joining the Early Education team at Allen Brook School for the 2020-2021 school year. Through my work on the Birth-Three program at CIS, I have worked closely with this team for many years and am excited for this opportunity. The language and communication skills established during these early years lay the foundation for success as children move into Kindergarten and beyond. I received my undergraduate degree in Communication Science and Disorders at the University of Vermont and my Master's Degree at the University of Colorado Boulder. My husband and I have 2 children who have risen through schools in CVSD and could not be happier with the experience we have had as parents. As a family, you will find us enjoying the outside on bikes, skis, boats and horses (this one I watch!)

​Deborah Morris, M.S., CCC-SLP​

Speech Language Pathologist

dmorris@cvsdvt.org

I have been a speech-language pathologist working with children in both preschool and elementary school since receiving my Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Towson University. Working as SLP in the EE program here at Allen Brook, I have the privilege of supporting the growth and development of young children in their home, school, and community. I strive to build positive communication opportunities within a language rich environment. I am honored to work with your children, building their confidence and competence in preparing them for a bright future! My husband and I live in Shelburne with our two young daughters and our dog, Cooper. I enjoy hiking, camping, skiing, swimming, and reading on a cold winter night… I think I chose the right place to set some roots!

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Lindsay Hastings, M.S., CCC-SLP​

Speech Language Pathologist

lhastings@cvsdvt.org

802-871-6229

I have been working in the Williston School District since 2002. My path to becoming the Early Education Outreach Coordinator has been an adventurous and fulfilling one; I am thrilled to call the world of early education my professional "home". My outreach work consists of ensuring that all children in our community have the opportunity to access high-quality early education. I work in partnership with families, School-Based Programs, and Early Learning Partner Programs, in order to welcome our youngest learners into their first school experience. I consult and collaborate with professionals, both in and out, of the school, including: English Language Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, Special Educators, Howard Center Services, math and literacy coordinators, preschool teachers, school administrators and program directors. I live in Williston with my family and have nostalgically witnessed the inevitable...watching my three little boys boldly grow up and turn into young men.

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Victoria Francis, BA

Early Education Outreach Educator

vfrancis@cvsdvt.org

802-971-6240

Hello,

Welcome to the Charlotte and Hinesburg Early Education Program! My name is Julia Wayne, and I am the preschool teacher and also the early childhood special educator for Charlotte and Hinesburg. I have been teaching in the field of early education since 2005 and I often say that it's the best job in the world~ every day is filled with curiosity, joy, self-expression and messy fun! I hold my Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Environmental Studies and a Masters in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Vermont. I also hold a post graduate certificate in supporting children with neurodevelopmental differences and their families through the Vermont Interdisciplinary Leadership Education for Health Professionals (VT-ILEHP) program. I live in Charlotte with my husband, Matt, our two young sons, and our many animals (our dog, Glady, our llama, sheep and chickens). During my free time, I love playing music and spending time outdoors with family and friends. I'm also leading a capital fundraising campaign to construct a universally accessible playground (currently sited for Oakledge Park) with the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department.

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Julia Wayne, M. Ed.

​Early Childhood Special Educator

​jwayne@cvsdvt.org

802-425-2771

Click HERE for Julia's Classroom Website

I am the Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) for the Charlotte and Hinesburg Early Education Program. In addition to my role within the

building, I also provide speech and language services to preschool children within their early childhood preschool settings. I have worked as a speech language pathologist at Charlotte Central School since 1999. At that time, I was hired as part of the school’s commitment to

provide quality early intervention services to preschoolers and to build the school’s relationship with our youngest community members and their families. Prior to moving to Vermont, I worked as a speech language pathologist at a private special education preschool program in the Albany, New York area. I live in Hinesburg with my husband, two children and rescue dog, Marley. In my spare time I enjoy biking, running and family vacations to Cape Cod in the summer.

​Nancy Wood, M. S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

nwood@cvsdvt.org

802-482-6280

I have been a teacher in the field of early childhood education for over 25 years. My passion in working with children centers around creating engaging environments and building curriculum that is project based and hands on. My teaching practice is grounded in providing children opportunities to "make things", often with re-purposed materials and items from the natural world. As I made the transition 9 years ago to working as an early childhood special educator, I have carried many of my core values of teaching with me. I believe in the capacity of children to direct their own learning. I see myself as a co-constructor in the classroom, observing the play and work of the children, and then using these observations to inform my decision making about program design. I love the challenge of bringing a diverse group of children together to build a cohesive, supportive learning community. I hold degrees from the University of Vermont and Johnson State College. I have had the unique opportunity to participate in study tours of the early childhood schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. This culturally and aesthetically rich experience has had a lasting influence on my work with children and families.

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Patricia Casey, MA, M.Ed.

Early Childhood Special Educator

pcasey@cvsdvt.org

802-383-1178

Click here for the classroom Google Site

I am the speech-language pathologist for the Prek/EEE program at Shelburne Community School. I received my Bachelor of Arts from the University of Vermont and my Master's in speech-language pathology from California State University East Bay. I am a native Vermonter but have lived in Austria, Japan, and California. I love being back in Vermont and greatly enjoy working with preschoolers! I live with my husband and two sons. I love to ski, hike, run, be outdoors, and travel. I am looking forward to another wonderful year of playing, learning, and working with young children.

Liz Rider, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

lrider@cvsdvt.org

802-383-1178

I am an Early Childhood Special Educator that provides outreach services to young children in the Champlain Valley School District. I have been working for CVSD since 2005 and have worked with children from ages Birth-5 who are in need of specialized instruction. Currently, I collaborate with early interventionists from Northwestern Counseling and Support Services (NCSS) to support children and families as they transition from services with NCSS to services with the school district at age three. I also support children in community-based preschool programs who are in need of special education services. I live in Burlington with my husband, two young sons, and our family dog.

​​Kristin Eisensmith, M. Ed.

Early Childhood Education Outreach Special Educator

keisensmith@cvsdvt.org

802-985-1904

I am thrilled to join the early education team this year at CVSD as the Director of Early Education. I have a background in early childhood special education and intensive needs special education. Prior to coming to the Williston Schools in 2021, I worked as a special educator for Swanton Schools and for the MVSD Early Childhood Program. I live in Franklin County with my husband and our four children. I’m excited to support school, family, and community partnerships to promote high-quality, enriching early learning experiences for all children. Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions about early childhood education in CVSD.

Erin Gagne, M.Ed

Director of Early Education

egagne@cvsdvt.org