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The Vermont Principals’ Association is inviting you to the 2025 Winter Symposium at the beautiful and cozy Woodstock Inn for colleagueship, rejuvenation, inspiration and meaningful professional learning.
Keynote Desiree Cocroft: is an energizing coach and consultant that seeks to empower leaders to fulfill their fullest potential. An experienced facilitator of over 20 years, Desiree elevates the hearts and minds of her audience while also igniting them to take inspired action. She makes the impossible seem possible and helps others to envision what they deeply desire to see. She incites vision.
Desiree’s professional journey started with co-founding the nonprofit Signature Dance Company, which focuses on building women and girls through dance, personal development, and mentorship in Milwaukee, WI. Her community and culture work with Signature Dance Company afforded her the Community BuildHER Award from the PowHER Network in 2017 and the Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2018. In 2018, Desiree was excited to take on the role of coach and consultant with FranklinCovey Education. Desiree has become a coveted coach, consultant, and trainer within the education division, especially in the following topics: Culture of Belonging, Unconscious Bias, Neuroscience Wellness, Speed of Trust, and 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Desiree is the award-winning author of Get Your Life Today: 7 Success Hacks for Life, Leadership, and Business. She is ICF certified in Life and Leadership Coaching with additional training in cultural competency, executive coaching, and strengths-based coaching from the Academy of Creative Coaching and the CAPP Institute.
Keynote Stefanie Schaffer: is a Vermont native who graduated from Castelton University with a Bachelor of Science and Magna Cum Laude Honors. She now works at the University of Vermont Medical Center and volunteers for non-profits like the American Red Cross. When she was twenty-two years old, Stefanie survived a boat explosion that left her with injuries of bilateral limb amputations, paraplegia, and more. Since then, she has gone on to become a best-selling author, public-speaker, model, and disability advocate. She uses her platform to share her story and inspire others to embrace their challenges, and look at their obstacles as opportunities to grow. Stefanie speaks to crowds at businesses, non-profits, and schools, while tailoring the delivery of her message to the individuals before her.
January 29th, Wendesday Evening: Participants will gather in the Rockefeller room for networking and a BOOM session from 5:00pm to 6:15pm. The BOOM session will feature 6 different presentations about an outstanding and exciting practice direct from a school leadership colleague. Each presenter will have 8 minutes to share about an innovative and effective practice that is in place in their school setting. BOOM sessions will occur before dinner will be on your own. You can enjoy a nice meal at the Inn or once of the many restaurants in the picturesque town of Woodstock. Later that evening we invite you to return to join us for a social time with colleagues, desserts and a cash bar from 7:45-9:30pm.
January 30th, Thursday: Participants will have breakfast available 7:00 – 8:00 am. Our morning keynote will be Desiree Cocroft. You will then have two opportunities to attend breakout sessions open to individual choices. Each workshop will run in the morning, and in the afternoon, so if your top choice is full in the morning, you can select a different choice and then try again in the afternoon. We will end our day with a closing keynote by Stefanie Schaffer. Lunch will be provided mid-day and we plan to have people on the road around 3:30 pm on Monday afternoon.
Workshop 1: MTSS for Managing Schools: A People Focused Framework for School Leaders
Investing in people is one of the pillars of strong school leadership. Resilient relationships are a foundation for empowering school administrators and their staff. Authentic and intentional connections take time and energy – two things in short supply when running an organization, and especially a school. In this interactive learning space, participants will explore people-focused strategies to: Apply the MTSS framework in management practices, Discover 4 strategies to create more time to build relationships, Explore the environment in their buildings with a lens toward supporting success, Set short- and long-term goals that empower everyone.
Presenter: For 30 years, Marla Ianello has led teams that focus on supporting the healthy growth and development of children. As a social service worker, teacher, community health coach and trainer, and public education administrator, she’s learned that lifting up and investing in the people who work with children is an effective path to improve the lives of the children. Marla Ianello holds a BS in Human Development from The University of Connecticut, MS in Organizational Development from Antioch University, a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard School of Business, and is a Snelling Center for Government and VPA Waddington participant. She’s currently the Assistant Superintendent of Student Support and Operations at Orange East Supervisory.
Workshop 2: How to Eat to Boost Energy Levels for Busy People
Presenter: Valerie Goldberg is the visionary founder and CEO of No Diet Dietitian, a nutrition counseling company that is taking the nutrition market by storm with their innovative, non-diet approach to health. How can dietitians recommend we eat our favorite foods like pizza and ice cream, and still get their clients better results than the diet culture? No Diet’s philosophy takes a shame-free, guilt-free approach where they treat every individual as the expert of their body. They work with their clients to create customized nutrition plans that are practical, actually taste good, all while helping them reach their goals. No Diet Dietitian is committed to helping individuals heal their relationship with food and their bodies, creating lasting freedom from diets and restriction. She has a Bachelor’s of Science from McGill University and has a background in gastrointestinal surgery, general medicine and cardiovascular surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. When she’s not teaching clients how to find freedom with food she’s hiking with her husband and two adorable children, or feasting on a Shawarma plate loaded with all the delicious salads. Under Val’s leadership No Diet Dietitian is making tidal waves in the nutrition field, helping thousands of individuals find more joyful and balanced lives!
Workshop 3: Empowering Millennials
With millennials projected to make up 75% of the global workforce by 2025, the Empowering Millennial Leaders workshop is designed to equip millennial professionals and those who work with them with the skills to thrive in modern leadership roles. This dynamic and engaging professional learning opportunity explores key leadership and learning styles unique to the millennial generation, focusing on how to harness their strengths for impactful leadership and have a fun time exploring all things millennials.
Presenter: Dr. Young is Vermont Principals’ Association Assistant Executive Director: Oversee activities and athletic policies for the state of Vermont, in conjunction with the Vermont State Athletic Directors Association and in partnership with the National Federation of High Schools. “As an elder millennial, I see the importance of empowering and supporting new leaders. We are a value-centered demographic who think and process information differently than generations past. I utilized peer reviewed research and data to craft a presentation to best support millennials and those who work with us.” Dr. Young received her Bachelor of Science at the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh, a Masters in Education Leadership at Purdue University and a Doctorate in Education University of Southern Mississippi
Workshop 4: Cultivating Leadership: Lessons from Gardening and Beekeeping
This enlightening workshop explores the principles of leadership through the nurturing practices of gardening and beekeeping. This session will highlight the profound connections between cultivating plants, managing hives, and developing effective leadership skills. Participants will engage in discussions around key themes such as:
Whether you’re an experienced leader or just beginning your journey, this workshop will provide valuable insights and actionable strategies to enhance your leadership approach. Join us to cultivate a deeper understanding of leadership inspired by nature!
Co-Presenter: Bonnie Johnson-Aten is the Executive Director of School Leadership for the Burlington School District. She served as principal at Edmunds Middle School for 11 years, after working at U-32 High School as the Assistant Principal and at CVU as a House director. Bonnie’s experience extends beyond the schoolhouse having served as a member of the Vermont State Board of Education and as a policy analyst for the Howard Dean administration, which speaks to her knowledge of the political and policy arena. Her central office and school-based leadership positions reflect collaboration, communications, and management expertise. Bonnie’s contributions include statewide positions as a board member for the Vermont Principals Association and at the national level as a board member of the National Association Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Bonnie has two sons which was the driving force behind her becoming an educator committed to equity and excellence for all learners. She retains her sanity through gardening and cooking.
Co-Presenter: Erik Remmers Erik is currently in his sixth year as the Director of Green Mountain Technology & Career Center in Hyde Park, Vermont. Erik began his career working with adolescents in community mental health programs, and eventually moved into education once he received his certification to teach English in 2005. He began his career in education teaching middle school English in Enosburg Falls, and eventually moved into the middle school leadership role in the same school. Erik then served as the high school principal in Enosburg, and in 2019 made the leap into Career and Technical education when he joined Green Mountain Tech as its director. In all Erik has 16 years of school leadership experience in Vermont. Erik is currently a member of the VPA Executive Council, Vice President of the Vermont Association of CTE Directors, and served for six years on the Vermont Standards Board for Professional Educators. Erik lives in Montgomery, Vermont with his wife and soon to be adult daughter, where his winters are spent riding Jay Peak with his family and summers spent tending his hives.
FAQs
What about the cost? The VPA has worked with Woodstock Inn to help keep costs down for this event. The Woodstock Inn was able to offer a much reduced rate for use of the venue and the room reservations.
Do I need to attend Wednesday night? No, but you should! It is going to be a great networking opportunity, fun, and will have great take-away ideas and strategies for school leadership.
Do I need to stay overnight at the Woodstock Inn on the 29th? No, but there will be rooms on hold for participants attending this event at about a 40% reduced rate.
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.