Meet Our Team

I joined CVSD as the Director of Early Childhood Education in 2022.  Prior to coming to the Williston Schools as a special educator, I worked as a special educator for Swanton Schools and for the MVSD Early Childhood Program, with experience in both early childhood special education and intensive special education.  I recieved my Master's degree in intensive special education from The University of Vermont and a leadership endorsement from Saint Micheal's College.  I live in Franklin County with my husband and our four children.  I oversee all aspects of early childhood education for CVSD.  I am passionate about high-quality, inclusive, and nurturing 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

I am an Early Childhood Special Educator who provides outreach services to young children in the Champlain Valley School District. I have been working in CVSD since 2005 and I currently work with preschool aged children who are in need of specialized instruction. I collaborate with early interventionists from Children's Integrated Services (CIS) to support children and families as they transition out of Birth-3 services and into 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 and consultation. I live in Burlington with my husband, two sons, and our family dog.

Kristin Eisensmith, M. Ed.

Early Childhood Education Outreach Special Educator

keisensmith@cvsdvt.org

802-985-1904

Hello CVSD Community!

My name is Julia Wayne (she/her), and I am excited to join the Champlain Valley School District (CVSD) Early Education team. I was an Early Childhood Special Educator in CVSD for almost ten years, and I’m so happy to be coming back to this incredible team and community. My passion is helping children and families!

For the past two years, I have been the Children’s Integrated Services’ (CIS) Personnel Development Coordinator at the University of Vermont’s Center on Disability and Community Inclusion. In this role, I helped to create and coordinate professional development for CIS Early Interventionists, Early Childhood Family Mental Health Clinicians, Specialized Childcare Coordinators, CIS Coordinators, and Strong Families Vermont Family Support and Nurse Home Visitors. It has been an incredible learning experience.

I live in Charlotte with my husband, three children, and farm animals. When I’m not teaching, I’m spending time with my family, having fun outside and playing music.

I look forward to our work together!

Julia Wayne, M.Ed.

Early Childhood Special Educator

jwayne@cvsdvt.org

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 am the Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) for the Charlotte-Hinesburg Early Education Program and kindergarten at Hinesburg Community School (HCS).  In addition to my role within HCS, I also provide speech and language services to preschool children within their early childhood preschool settings.

I just celebrated my 25th year within CVSD! In 1999, 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. 

I live in Hinesburg with my two high schoolers. In my spare time I love taking advantage of the Vermont setting by running, biking, hiking and skiing. I can also be found on the sidelines of my children’s many sporting events whether it is cross country, football, nordic skiing, track or baseball. GO REDHAWKS!

​Nancy Wood, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

nwood@cvsdvt.org

802-482-6280

I am so excited to join the CVSD Early Education team as the Charlotte-Hinesburg Early Childhood Special Educator.  Before coming to CVSD, I was one of the Early Childhood Special Educators at Richmond Elementary School for nine years. Prior to that I worked for Vermont Family Network as a Developmental Educator. I received my Master's in Early Childhood General and Special Education in New York City at the Bank Street College of Education.

I volunteer as a co-director for First Strides Women's Beginner Walk Run program in Williston. I love to read, run, and relax with my family. I've had a wonderful experience as a parent of two children that attended the Allen Brook Preschool Program. I look forward to meeting you all and learning new things together.

​Eileen McCoy

Early Childhood Special Educator

emccoy@cvsdvt.org

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                                                                     

I am a Speech and Language Pathologist in Early Education, based out of the Shelburne Community School.  This will be my 11th year with CVSD and 14th year working with young children.   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! 

I grew up in Pennsylvania, but have called Vermont home since 2012.  I attended James Madison University for my undergraduate degree and Towson University for my graduate degree.  Outside of school, I love exploring everything our great state has to offer with my husband, Blaine, our 3 girls, Opal (8), Iris (5), and Aven (2), and our dog, Cooper.  On the weekends, you can find us out in the woods or on the lake. 

Lindsay Hastings, M.S., CCC-SLP​

Speech Language Pathologist

lhastings@cvsdvt.org

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

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

I have been an SLP for 14 years. I got my masters at Emerson College in Boston and have worked with preschool or school-age children ever since. I grew up across the lake in the Plattsburgh area and moved to Vermont in 2019 when I started working in the public school system. In my free time, I love to travel, cook, read, and play hockey, which I picked up only in the last couple. I also volunteer for the Humane Society, so I sometimes have foster kittens at home. I am excited to get back into the preschool setting and look forward to meeting everyone!

Heidi Moser, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

hmoser@cvsdvt.org

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