Assistant principals play a central role in school leadership—connecting instruction, student support, and school culture. The Vermont Assistant Principals Conference offers a focused, one-day opportunity to build your leadership practice alongside colleagues from across the state who understand the demands of the role. The day also includes targeted workshops and time to connect with peers during a welcome session and lunch. Whether you are new to the role or bring years of experience, you will leave with practical tools, fresh perspective, and a stronger professional network.
Keynote: Dr. Joelle van Lent is a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with children, families, and child serving agencies. Dr. van Lent has expertise as a therapist, clinician, evaluator, consultant, and trainer. Her work focuses on child and adolescent mental health, family therapy, trauma, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dr. van Lent’s approach is geared toward fostering resilience and creating communities that support healthy development. She is currently in private practice based in the northwestern part of Vermont and works across the state with schools and agencies.
Workshops, More Details Coming Soon, Topics/Facilitators Include:
Supervision and Evaluation of Licensed and Non-Licensed Staff with Sarah Pickering
Having Difficult Conversations with Parents/Guardians and Colleagues with Dr. Joelle van Lent
From Magic to Mayhem: An Assistant Principal’s Guide to the Unexpected with Dovid Yagoda & Erica LeClair
Inclusive Leadership with Dr. Meagan Roy
FAQs
Do I need to be an assistant principal to attend? No. The keynote and workshops will be beneficial for many roles. If you review the content and see elements that are related to your work and/or want to support your assistant principal(s) by attending, please do so.
Will any of the sessions be hybrid in case I can’t attend in person? No, these sessions will be available in-person only on this occasion.
Cancellation Policy: For all Vermont Principals’ Association professional learning events, the VPA must be notified of any cancellations no later than 10 days prior to the event. Cancellation notifications received after the 10 day deadline will be subject to a fee of 50% of the total cost of registration. The reason for this 50% policy is it allows us to at least recoup the venue and food costs counts for the event which are locked in with the venue about ten days ahead of an event.