May News
This month, Northern Lights is excited to invite you to take our professional development survey, 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.
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2025 Northern Lights Professional Development Survey
The Northern Lights annual professional development survey is now open. The survey results will be used for planning and shared with sponsors. With your help, we will understand what trainings you really want and need.
You can enter to win a free resource book from NAEYC or the National Afterschool Association! Please visit 2025 Northern Lights Professional Development Survey to complete the survey.
Trainings Now Available!
Don’t miss out on upcoming trainings. Check our Northern Lights Training Calendar to see what’s coming soon.
VELS: Basics for Planning Curriculum – June 10
This two-hour training will provide an overview of the purpose and use of the VELS as a guide for intentional planning of developmentally appropriate, engaging learning experiences for children ages birth to five.
VELS: Basics for Planning Infant/Toddler Curriculum – June 18
This two-hour training will provide an overview of the purpose and use of the VELS as a guide for intentional planning of developmentally appropriate, engaging learning experiences for children ages birth to age two.
This two-hour VELS: Basics for children ages birth to age two is a DAYTIME OPTION. This training session runs from 1:00 pm – 3:00pm.
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 April 2025.
Northern Lights is Proud to Honor YOU!
Afterschool Certificate or Credential:
Kai Correll (Bristol) Foundations
Kourtney Saunders (Bennington) Foundations
Paige Winnay (Burlington) Foundations
Program Director Credential:
Jamie Brooks (South Burlington) Step 1
Megan Manktelow (Bennington) Step 1
Kayla Poissant (Saint Albans) Step 1
Aubrey Ward (East Fairfield) Step 1
CIS Early Intervention Certificates:
Samantha Murray (Burlington) Provisional Certificate
Lyndsay Allard (Bennington) Full Certificate
Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Certificate:
Bret Davis (North Bennington) Level 1
Michelle Dykes (Chester) Level 1
Robbin Garrow (Proctor) Level 1
Samantha Giovanniello (Granville) Level 1
Caleb Hillock (Bellows Falls) Level 1
Kimberley Jerome (Lincoln) Level 1
Kana Johnson (Chelsea) Level 1
Adeline Nezin (Lincoln) Level 1
Allison Packer (Johnson) Level 1
Shawna Pailley (Chester) Level I
Nikiesha Reed (Poultney) Level I
Faith Webster (Bristol) Level 1
Chloemae Miller (Hartland) Level 2
Tessa Atwood (Wilmington) Level 3A
Amy Descheneau (North Troy) Level 3A
Hannah Lamore (Milton) Level 3A
Vanessa Mills (Pittsford) Level 3A
Emily Bache (East Haven) Level 3B
Bethany Caruso (Colchester) Level 3B
Amanda Chase (St. Johnsbury) Level 3B
Shannon Moore (Whitingham) Level 3B
Danielle Raymond (Jericho) Level 3B
Marci Robidoux (Woodstock) Level 3B
Jazmin Shaw (Groton) Level 3B
Sabrina Sims (Fairfax) Level 3B
Rachel Briggs (North Bennington) Level 4A
Alexandra Christenson (Rutland) Level 4A
Elisa Jones (Arlington) Level 4A
Sarah Lind (Winooski) Level 4A
Anne Simonds (Sunderland) Level 4A
Jill Sparks (Bellows Falls) Level 4A
Carrie Stone (West Townshend) Level 4A
Zachary Young (Fairfield) Level 4A
Mary Abbey (Jericho) Level 4B
Abigail Gendreau (North Ferrisburgh) Level 4B
Leah Segrin (Hartland) Level 4B
Emma Sweitzer (Brattleboro) Level 5A
Members of the Instructor Registry:
Rebecca Hohn (Montpelier) Specialist 1
Lisa Purcell (Chittenden) Specialist 2
Emily Stewart (South Burlington) Certified
Ariel Rose (North Springfield) Certified
Michelle Maitri-Mudita (Lowell) Master
Michelle Maitri-Mudita (Lowell) CoP Facilitator
Ariel Rose (North Springfield) 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.