April News
This month, Northern Lights is excited to announce trainings that are NOW AVAILABLE in the training calendar and to honor the early childhood and afterschool professionals who recently earned certificates and credentials.
Trainings Now Available!
Don’t miss out on upcoming trainings. Check our Northern Lights Training Calendar to see what’s coming soon.
- VELS: Universal Design for Diverse Learners – Starts May 6In this six-hour series, participants will develop skills for intentional and inclusive planning using both the Vermont Early Learning Standards and Universal Design for Learning.
- From Co-Regulation to Self-Regulation: The Impact of Culture and Temperament on Infant and Toddler Social-Emotional Development – Starts May 6
This advanced-level training explores the impacts of culture and temperament on infant and toddler social-emotional development. - Fundamentals For Early Childhood Professionals – Starts May 14This 45-hour training includes broad introductory content designed specifically for early childhood professionals related to eight core knowledge areas.
- Fundamentals For Early Childhood Professionals – Starts June 2
This 45-hour training includes broad introductory content designed specifically for early childhood professionals related to eight core knowledge areas.
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- Making Sense of Mathematics – May 7, 2025
Educators will explore how mathematics assists children in making sense of their world and the various ways that educators can facilitate math through STEM exploration. Participants will engage in hands-on learning experiences to recognize how to facilitate mathematics through STEM exploration and investigation. - Environments that Foster Investigation – May 21, 2025
Participants will recognize a variety of communication skills to use with colleagues and parents while utilizing the engineering design process as a lens to use when problem solving as a team. - Fostering Meaningful Investigations – May 28, 2025
Learn how intentional investigations support mature play and children’s natural proclivity to wonder, inquire and explore. - STEM Learning Utilizing Literacy – June 4, 2025
Through STEM learning, educators can foster literacy, numeracy, scientific literacy, and cultural literacy. In this training, participants will engage in hands-on learning to foster a deeper level of thinking in children’s learning.
Celebrating Your Accomplishments
Many early childhood and afterschool professionals demonstrate their career advancement by earning certificates and credentials, or participating in the Vermont Instructor Registry. The list of recipients below includes everyone who received certificates or credentials in March 2025.
Northern Lights is Proud to Honor YOU!
Afterschool Certificate or Credential:
Sierra Bertrand (Vergennes) Foundations
Marleigh Cary (Rutland) Foundations
Desiree Cousino (New Haven) Foundations
Donna Ellis (Vernon) Foundations
Kiara Mitchell (Guildford) Foundations
Chelsea Therrien (East Dummerston) Foundations
Program Director Credential:
Emily Stewart (South Burlington) Step 1 and Step 2
CIS Early Intervention Certificates:
Kristen Bald (Brattleboro) Provisional Certificate
Andrea Hawkins (Rutland) Provisional Certificate
Shannon Mandigo (South Burlington) Provisional Certificate
Samantha Murray (South Burlington) Provisional Certificate
Marie Sullivan (St. Johnsbury) Provisional Certificate
Heather Thomas (Lyndon Center) Provisional Certificate
Wendy Wentz (Rutland) Provisional Certificate
Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Certificate:
Suzana Barron (Saxton River) Level 1
Jill Campbell Gore (Bennington) Level 1
Cole Clifton (Wolcott) Level 1
Kaitlyn Eddy (Alburg) Level 1
Randii Elie (Brattleboro) Level 1
Riley Holmes (Burlington) Level 1
Rachael Jones (Bennington) Level 1
Maria Nesbit (Bakersfield) Level 1
Andrew Nolan (Bennington) Level 1
Jeanine Wixson (Underhill) Level 1
Matthew Bouvier (New Haven) Level 2
Emily Bradley (Norwich) Level 2
Kayla Brookins (Brattleboro) Level 2
Kaleigh Dagg (Westminster) Level 2
Marisa Downing (Chester) Level 2
Delaney Howard (Fairfax) Level 2
Haley Saunders (East Arlington) Level 2
Carson Summers-Pelkey (Brattleboro) Level 2
Tyler Bracey (Colchester) Level 3A
Stephen Eddy (Alburgh) Level 3A
Hillary Isham Gorby (Charlestown, NH) Level 3A
Morgan Krebs (Morrisville) Level 3A
Bonnie Thomas (Colchester) Level 3A
Ellen Woodard (Bennington) Level 3A
Tyler Bracey (Colchester) Level 3B
Melissa Brott (Essex) Level 3B
Linda Darlington (Wilmington) Level 3B
Mia Faesy (Burlington) Level 3B
Haley Harrington (Bennington) Level 3B
Joshlynne Rancourt (Island Pond) Level 3B
Lauren Van Schaick (Waitsfield) Level 3B
Amanda Williams (Stannard) Level 3B
Catherine Casey (Waterbury) Level 4A
Allison Coeyman (Essex Junction) Level 4A
Ruthanna Demag (Wolcott) Level 4A
Stephanie Fay (Alburg) Level 4A
Lynda LaPlant (North Bennington) Level 4A
Dana LeBlanc (Underhill) Level 4A
Leanne Lourie (Rupert) Level 4A
Gena Mooney (Bennington) Level 4A
Crystal Smith (Swanton) Level 4A
Kristen Wood (Springfield) Level 4A
Clara Wootton (Duxbury) Level 4A
Allison Stetzel (Waltham) Level 4B
Elizabeth Synnott (Williston) Level 4B
Hayley Sirjane (Bomoseen) Level 5A
Members of the Instructor Registry:
Kristina Kowalik (Leyden, MA) Certified
Dayle Sargeant (Burlington) Certified
Jessica Williams (Sutton) Certified
Leah Sophrin (Montpelier) Master
Kristina Kowalik (Leyden, MA) CoP Facilitator
Jessica Williams (Sutton) CoP Facilitator
Looking For Help?
We offer trainings, career advising and technical assistance, and friendly support to assist with your professional development goals. Contact a Resource Advisor and get your questions answered.