During the first few years of life, the amount of growth, and development occurring in our children's brains is genuinely amazing. With each connection they make, skill they learn, and challenge they face, they are building the foundations for the person they will become. Here at the White River Valley Supervisory Union, each town preschool program, although unique, values the importance of building relationships, creating stimulating learning environments, and nurturing opportunities that allow for growth.\ We look forward to being the first step of a long and beautiful journey.\ We have two beautiful PreK classrooms at each of our campuses. Our teachers focus on social-emotional learning, learning through play, and outdoor education. This year, we have placed a special emphasis on mathematics, recognizing its importance in early childhood education. We follow the play-based curriculum of the Bridges PreK Math Program, ensuring that children learn through play, exploration, and curiosity. Our teachers deliver a curriculum that engages and stretches our students' abilities, fostering a love for learning and a strong foundation in mathematics.
Preschool
Karen Turner: Teacher, Bethel
Karen started at Bethel Elementary in 1993. She started out working one-on-one and has been teaching preschool for 27 years. She enjoys biking, walking, being outdoors, and spending time with her family. Karen was born in New York but has been in Vermont for 50 years. You can reach Karen at kturner@wrvsu.org.
Mary Grace Johnson: Teacher, Bethel
Mary Grace is new to Bethel Elementary this year. She has been working with kids of all ages for 7 years and looking forward to leading her own class this year with us. Outside of school she loves music and photography. During the summer she goes to shows and photographs the bands, along with other types of photography, including portraits, nature, and tintype, a type of photography that started in the 1800’s. Mary Grace can be reached at mary.johnson@wrvsu.org
Rebecca Gaudette: Teacher, Royalton
Rebecca has been teaching preschool in South Royalton since 2013. She has lived in South Royalton her whole life, only briefly leaving to attend UVM, where she received her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education in 2008. From there, she began her preschool teaching career in private child care centers before joining White River Valley school. She loves teaching in the same school she grew up in and being involved in her community. In her free time she enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with her family. She can be reached at undefined.
Summer Spaulding, Teacher, Royalton
Carol Sears: Paraeducator, Bethel
Carol began working at Bethel Elementary in 2014 where she is a prekindergarten teaching assistant. Carol has a degree in French from the University of Georgia and also learned Russian during her five year enlistment as a U.S. Navy cryptologic technician. While living in England, she also studied for and received a Royal Horticultural Society certificate in horticulture which she relies on to inform her love of gardening. She has two grown children, one of whom is in college. Carol grew up on a farm in Michigan and has been living in Vermont since 2011. You can reach Carol at csears@wrvsu.org.
Chelsey Blossom : Paraeducator, Royalton
I am a life long resident of South Royalton, other than the two years I attended Keene State College. I enjoy spending time in nature with my two kids and husband, camping, kayaking, and hiking. I also enjoy spending my free time reading, gardening, and cooking. I look forward to working in the school community where I was born and raised! I can be reached at cblossom@wrvsu.org
Samantha Wood: Paraeducator, Royalton
Samantha has worked in the South Royalton Campus Preschool since 2016. She has many years of experience with children and enjoys the excitement that the little ones bring to the classroom every day. She grew up close by in Tunbridge, VT and later attended high school here at South Royalton School. She enjoys spending time with her family, going for walks, kayaking, four wheeling and spending time at the river. You can reach Samantha at undefined
