Professional Learning & Support Committee - Vermont Principals' Association

PL&S Purpose: “Provide and promote high quality professional learning relevant to Vermont school leaders.”

(Established, May 2013)

PL&S Committee Membership

This committee shall have eleven members, elected by the school membership at the annual meeting. The committee will be facilitated by the Vermont Principals’ Association’s Assistant Executive Director. The membership of the committee shall represent the state of Vermont geographically, by grade configuration (elementary, middle and high school), strive for diversity in role among VPA members (e.g. Director of Career and Technical Education, Assistant Principal, etc.), and by gender. Additionally, one seat (per) will be reserved for a member of the VPA who is participating within our given affinity spaces, Administrators of Color and LGBTQ+ identifying affinity spaces. That one seat per does not limit the number of participants from the given affinity space, but serves as a minimum. Members serve a three-year term, beginning at the August committee meeting, and have the option to renew for a second three-year term. In cases of vacancies, the VPA’s Executive Council can appoint a representative to complete the year (ending at the May meeting).

Committee Members 2025-26

2025-2026 Members: Bianca McKeen-Assistant Superintendent, Rutland City Public Schools, Jeanne Collins, Retired Member, Lashawn Whitmore-Sells, Principal Shoreham Elementary School, Julie Conrad, Principal Main Street Middle School, Jen DeSorgher, Director of Teaching & Learning MVU Middle & High, Lyndsie Perkins Principal of Springfield Union Street School, Ashley Newton, Director of VTVLC, Suzanne Gruendling, Principal of South Burlington Middle School, Dana Gordon-Macey, Principal Marlboro Elementary School, Jason Di Giulio, Principal of Hazen, Melissa Connor, Director of Stafford Technical Center
VPA Reps: Mike McRaith, & Erica McLaughlin

2025-2026 Goals:

Provide Professional Learning to Vermont educators and their school communities to improve “equity and quality educational opportunities” for each student, including but not limited to the current and ongoing offerings.
In support of building collaboration and connections across members, we will continue to offer member support in multiple ways including but not limited to: drop-ins, supporting aspiring school leaders, one-to-one support, school visits, affinity spaces, book groups, coaching, and the VPA mentoring program.
Conduct the annual survey of VT school leaders and use the results to inform develop professional learning and collaborative offerings.
Produce the VPA 2025-26 Conferences including, Leadership Academy, an annual Winter Conference (Assistant Principals 2026), and an annual Women in Leadership Conference.

Meetings

The PL&S Committee will meet a minimum of five times during the school year, at least two of which will be in person with the remaining meetings can be held electronically. At the August PL&S Committee meeting (at the Academy), the committee will elect a chairperson, or co-chairs.