September News
This month, Northern Lights is excited to feature upcoming trainings, additional opportunities, 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 Calendar to see what’s now available for registration, including these trainings from Northern Lights at CCV.
VELS: Basics for Planning Curriculum – DAYTIME OPTION – October 8
This 2-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.
Supporting Children with Diverse Abilities – Begins October 13
Participants will investigate different factors that affect child development and behavior, identify challenges children with diverse abilities might face, and explore how the classroom environment influences learning.
Deepening Developmentally Appropriate Practice (CoP) – Begins October 16
Join your colleagues to deepen your knowledge and practice implementing developmentally appropriate practices in the early childhood classroom. Participants will receive a copy of Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs (4th edition) released by NAEYC in 2021.
STRONG Together CoP – Begins October 30
This community of practice is designed for advanced practitioners with strong knowledge of the Strengthening Families framework and protective factors. Join your colleagues to deepen your knowledge and practice implementing the five protective factors with the families you serve.
Additional Opportunities
Portfolio Development for Early Childhood Educators – Begins October 11
The course will guide students’ understanding of all requirements of the Vt. Agency of Education’s Peer Review Portfolio process and support their writing and documentation of Early Childhood Competencies and Vermont Core Teaching Standards, as well as student teaching equivalency.
Northern Lights at CCV is Now Hiring!
Northern Lights at CCV is seeking a dynamic leader to join our team as a Resource Advisor supporting Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, and Addison counties. The role includes providing career advising to the early childhood and afterschool workforce, coordinating Northern Lights professional development offerings, and supporting Northern Lights trainers. To find out more information about this position please visit Resource Advisor – Northern Lights – CCV
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 August 2025.
Northern Lights is Proud to Honor YOU!
Afterschool Certificate or Credential:
Taylor Billings (Rutland) Foundations
Monica Jaycox (Hartland) Foundations
Tammy Keener (Claremont, NH) Foundations
Autumn Kimball (White River Jct) Foundations
Savannah Lytte (Bennington) Foundations
Shyanne Wedge (Shoreham) Foundations and Essentials
Program Director Credential:
Samantha Hamilton (Bennington) Step 1
Laura Hoopes (Hinesburg) Step 1
Ginelle Hunter (Hoosick Falls, NY) Step 1
Cecille Scrivens (Bennington) Step 1
Brittney Matte (Rutland) Step 2
CIS Early Intervention Certificates:
Shawn McSweeney (Morrisville, VT) Provisional Certificate
Claire Seifert (Bennington, Vermont) Provisional Certificate
Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Certificate:
Carissa Brittain (St. Johnsbury) Level 1
Rachel Carter (Poultney) Level 1
Jenyca Chapman (Enosburg) Level 1
Cynthia Durbin (West Pawlet) Level 1
Yhordanna La Rosa Becher (Vergennes) Level 1
Ashley Poquette (Hartford, NY) Level 1
Ana Santos (Burlington) Level 1
Olivia Smith (Essex Junction) Level 1
Persephone Steele (Perkinsville) Level 1
Heidi Vosburgh (Pownal) Level 1
Holly Young (Bennington) Level 1
Virginia Brooke (Montpelier) Level 2
Kaylee Disorda (North Pomfret) Level 2
Alivia Emerson (Springfield) Level 2
Ava Gonzalez (Rutland) Level 2
Cassandra Hamel (Hanover) Level 2
Kearstyn King (East Arlington) Level 2
Payton Santarcangelo (Bennington) Level 2
Sarah Stone (Hardwick) Level 2
Zoey Thomayer (Bennington) Level 2
Stefany Trautner (Hardwick) Level 2
Hannah Wirth (Montpelier) Level 2
Hannah Woods (Bennington) Level 2
Alora Zargo (Brookline) Level 2
Katrina Morin (Chester) Level 3A
Tierra Nichols (Rutland) Level 3A
Jessica Pike (North Ludlow) Level 3A
John Amory (Burlington) Level 3B
Joela Conway (Benson) Level 3B
Erin Gebo (Bristol) Level 3B
Marissa Green (Charlotte) Level 3B
Delaney Howard (Fairfax) Level 3B
Angela Jardine (Westminster) Level 3B
Victoria Lyons (Claremont, NH) Level 3B
Patricia McCormack (Springfield) Level 3B
Dana McCormick (Bennington) Level 3B
Nicole Nadeau (Waterbury) Level 3B
Barbara Roscoe (Bristol) Level 3B
Lillianne Seward (Wallingford) Level 3B
Emily Walker (Middlesex) Level 3B
Amelia Cameron (Barre) Level 4A
Catherine Davis (South Burlington) Level 4A
Molly Doherty (Colchester) Level 4A
Joffrette Ellms (Middlesex) Level 4A
Emily Geiler (Montpelier) Level 4A
Diane Hallenbeck (Orange) Level 4A
Aimee Martine (Burlington) Level 4A
Madison Messier (Burlington) Level 4A
Nicole Squires (Bennington) Level 4A
Hilary Van Benthuysen (Essex Junction) Level 4A
Lindsey Schell (Bethel) Level 4B
Haile Hamlett (New Haven) Level 5B
Members of the Instructor Registry:
Erin Tarrier (Colchester) Certified
Julianne Buechler (Colchester) Master & CoP Facilitator
Kira Harris (Waitsfield) 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.
