The Vermont Principals Association
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Professional Learning & Support

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In Person Workshop
For School Leaders & Admin Assistants: Together

Utilizing a well-designed, highly functional, organizational system allows leaders to be present in the day, focus on leading, and engage in work that has the greatest impact on improving teaching, learning, and culture. Aspiring, new, and veteran leaders can learn about effective organizational systems built to work effortlessly with an Administrative Assistant. Leaders will have the opportunity to analyze the strengths and challenges of their current systems with a focus on actionable steps toward improvement. Facilitator: Sarah Pickering

$300 total for 2 participants
May 7th, 2025, 9am to 3pm
VSBIT Training Room (Berlin, VT)

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Hula, May 9th
Better Conversations Every Day

Build capacity in your team with CCL’s well established Better Conversations Every Day. The VPA will facilitate on May 9th, at Hula in Burlington. Limited seats available. $400 for VPA members, includes lunch and coffee.

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Annual Conference
2025 VPA Leadership Academy

Elevate your leadership journey with the 2025 Vermont Principals’ Academy—where collaboration, innovation, and actionable strategies empower you to make a lasting impact in your school community. The Academy is a good fit for new school leaders, veteran school leaders, central office leadership, and aspiring Vermont school leaders.

August 5-7th
Killington Grand Resort Hotel

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2025-26 School Year
VPA Course for New School Leaders

Cohort 15 Registration is Now Open for the 2025-26 School Year. This course offers the option of 4 St. Mike’s Graduate Credits. It meets once a month to explore how effective principals deal with the multiple roles and responsibilities of a Vermont building leader, balancing the practical daily issues while impacting student learning. Vermont’s leading experts will serve as guests speakers throughout our time together.

Begins September 16th

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2025-26 School Year
VPA Course for Mid-Career & Veteran School Leaders

In its 3rd, this course is designed for educational leaders who want to enhance their leadership skills in managing energy, building trust, and effective communication. There is an optional 3 credits through Vermont State University. In a combination of provided content, discussions, guest speakers, case studies, and practical exercises, participants will develop a deep understanding of key leadership concepts and strategies.

Begins September 10th

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Currently Enrolling

  • Mentor Training
    Date(s): Rolling
    Mode: Multiple Options
    Hours: 3.5 hrs
    Target Audience: Experienced School Leaders, Retired School Leaders
    Cost: No cost to VPA Members
  • 2025 VPA Leadership Academy
    Date(s): August 5-7th
    Mode: In-Person Conference
    Hours: Multiple Options
    Target Audience: Aspiring School Leaders to Veteran School Leaders
    Cost: Various Registration Options
  • Leading Vermont Schools, 2025-26
    Date(s): Begins 9/16/25
    Mode: Multiple Options
    Hours: 9 dates, 4 graduate credits
    Target Audience: New, and New to Vermont School Leaders
    Cost: 1350 without credits, 1900 with 4 St. Mike’s Credits
  • Leadership in Education, VPA Course 2.0
    Date(s): Begins, 9/10/25
    Mode: In-Person
    Hours: 6 dates, 3 graduate credits
    Target Audience: Mid-Career and Veteran School Leaders
    Cost: 1500 includes 3 VSU graduate credits

Bring the VPA to You

Contact the VPA to review available dates and costs in bringing the VPA to your learning community.

Asynchronous Resources

  • VPA Podcast
    Mode: Audio
    Topics: School and Athletics Leadership
    Access: Archived Episodes
    Target Audience: All
  • VPA Videos, Recorded Webinars
    Mode: Video
    Topics: Varied
    Access: Open
    Target Audience: All
  • Equity Initiative
    Mode: Reading/Links
    Topics: School Leadership Contracts
    Access: Open
    Target Audience: School Leaders
  • Social Emotional Learning Bundles (CCL)
    Mode: Online Course/Materials
    Hours: 20
    Topics: Social Emotional Learning
    Access: Email VPA if interested
    Target Audience: School Leaders and Teachers

Annual Cohorts

  • Waddington Leadership Initiative
    Date(s): Applications to Cohorts–typically are open in Late October each year
    Mode: In-Person
    Hours: 56
    Topics: School Leadership
    Target Audience: School, District, & Aspiring Leaders
  • Creating Thriving School Environments with Dr. Joelle van Lent
    Date(s): Enrolls each summer
    Mode: Online
    Topics: Community Care Leadership, Current Events, Psychological Safety
    Target Audience: School, District, & Teacher Leaders
  • Leading Vermont Schools with Jay Nichols
    Date(s): Enrolls each spring
    Mode: In-Person
    Hours: 4 course credits with St. Mikes
    Topics: School Leadership in Vermont, led by Jay Nichols
    Target Audience: New School Leaders, New to VT School Leaders, & Aspiring
  • VPA Leadership Course 2.0
    Date(s): Enrolls each Spring/Summer
    Mode: In-Person
    Hours: 45 hours and/or 3 graduate credits with VSU (6 full day meetings through the school year)
    Topics: Communication, Budgets, Equity Leadership, Leadership Development & More
    Target Audience: Active School Leaders

Ongoing VPA Supports

Partner Resources/Events

  • Still Curious: Learning for the Long Grame
    Date(s): Friday, May 2nd
    Mode: In-Person Conference

    Still Curious: Learning for the Long Game

    Lake Morey Resort, Friday, May 2

    The 20th Annual Transition and Career Planning Conference, hosted by VSAC’s Vermont State GEAR UP program in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Education, and sponsored by the J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation, will feature Erik Shonstrom as the keynote speaker. Erik is a Champlain College faculty member and author of Wild Curiosity.

    Join school, agency, career, and post-secondary colleagues to learn and share as we “discover the curiosity within to propel us forward with authenticity and intention”. We hope you’ll be able to make it!

    Workshop details and registration now available on the conference event page.