Melissa started working at the Bethel Elementary and Middle school in 2015. She teaches Preschool through 5th grade outdoor education (known as ECO). She also teaches 6th-8th grade Health at the middle school. Melissa has two children. She loves to be outside all year long. In the winter, she snowboards and in the warmer weather, she paddle boards and mountain bikes. She is also an author and artist. Melissa  grew up in Pennsylvania and now lives in the Mad River Valley. You can reach Melissa at mpurdy@wrvsu.org.

A transplant from Waconia, Minnesota, Joshua Pauly attended the University of Minnesota-Morris, the Conservatório Dramático e Musical de Tatuí in Brazil, and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, receiving degrees in music education.  He has served as the past president of the Vermont Association for Jazz Education, earned honors as the Vermont Outstanding New Music Educator of the Year, and is frequently called upon as a conductor, clinician, and trumpet performer.  He is happy to live and teach in the Upper Valley with his wife, Libby, and son Alastair. You can reach Josh at jpauly@wrvsu.org.

Since 2015, Malia has taught on the Bethel campus, where she is the K-8 visual art teacher. She loves inspiring and being inspired by students of all ages and . She was born in Hawaii and lived in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and California before settling in central Vermont in 2005. Malia is also the parent of an awesome middle school kid who was born in Randolph and is usually willing to try out random art projects, go for long walks, and attempt cross-country skiing. You can reach Malia at mtimmerman@wrvsu.org.

Bonna Wieler offers learners/explorers of all ages connection with the natural world, while aiming to help folks gain self-assuredness and skills. She teaches Outdoor Education at the Bethel Middle School, and develops programming for middle through high school. As an American Canoe Association kayak instructor, Bonna teaches paddling, outfits and guides trips,  and runs summer camp sessions. She also develops environmental/ outdoor education programming for grades pre-K through high school, is a river curriculum teacher and consultant, networker/ organizer/ coordinator of environmental activities, cross country ski instructor for special events, program specialist for after school programs, and teaches fiber arts and other nature-based art forms. You can reach Bonna at bwieler@wrvsu.org.

Amber Leavitt is excited to be teaching for a second year at the WRUD schools.  She is the 4th-12th Grade Chorus teacher at Bethel and South Royalton, WRVMS general music teacher, saxophone lesson instructor, and the WRVHS musical vocal director.

Amber has an extensive background in vocal performance, conducting, and choral singing. She has a Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy and Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. Amber also has experience working with children and teens as a mental health counselor in community mental health agencies and private practice.

Amber lives in South Royalton with her 2 children and pet bunny Lulu. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, running, baking, crocheting, playing piano and of course, singing.

Amber can be reached ataleavitt@wrvsu.org

Will has been teaching woodworking and mechanics at South Royalton since 2006. Prior to that time he had a cabinetmaking and furniture building business in Ludlow Vermont. He currently farms beef cattle and hay in West Hartford. His father’s family is from Brooksville, Vermont and his mother’s family is from Brooklyn, NY. He is a proud graduate of Stuyvesant High School in NYC and of the University of Vermont. He has no training in woodworking or teaching but his father taught him you can learn anything from a book. He still misses teaching the seventh graders. He can be reached at wbrooks@wrvsu.org.