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Lisa grew up in the North East and then moved to Alaska and Colorado for 25 years before moving back to VT. She taught at Whitcomb HS and then WVHS for the last 6 years. Her hobbies are metalworking, gardening, reading, and raising pet goats (2), rabbits (2), chickens (2) and ducks (10). She usually can be found hanging out with her mother, 2 of her children or her animal friends. You can reach Lisa at lburg@wrvsu.org.
Trinity has been teaching since she moved to Vermont in 2006. She taught middle school English and social studies at South Royalton School for two years and has been teaching English at WRVHS/ South Royalton High School since 2009. Trinity earned her Master’s Degree in Education- Curriculum and Instruction in 2016. She loves teaching and feels lucky to be a part of this community. You can reach Trinity at tdesimone@wrvsu.org.
Lisanne has been teaching for over 18 years, in high schools from Atlanta, GA to Burlington, VT. She’s taught Biology & English, and after a brief time last spring teaching Physics at WRVHS, is now excited to return to teach Social Studies full time. After growing up in NH in a family of teachers and going to high school at Hanover High, she earned her BA degree in Biology & English at Williams College in MA and earned her Masters degree in Curriculum & Instruction at UVM. She loves learning, teaching, singing & theater, art, books, and movies. She also loves spending time with her extended family, visiting her pirate daughter at college in Rhode Island, and having fun with her fifth grade son and partner Scott. She is really excited to come back to work with WRVHS students and to be a part of the WRVHS community. She can be reached at lvelez@wrvsu.org.
Lisa has been teaching high school life and environmental science at WRVHS since 2015. After earning a BS in Biology, she spent a decade traveling, doing field science, and leading environmental education experiences before becoming a classroom teacher. Lisa holds an MS from the Field Naturalist Program at UVM and an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction. She loves natural history, hiking, fishing, gardening and having adventures with her husband and daughter. She is so appreciative of the opportunity to work with the WRVHS students and community and loves being a teacher. You can reach her at ldragon@wrvsu.org.
Claire has taught a variety of grades and subject areas over her career. She is now teaching part time. Currently she is teaching two 9th grade classes and one Advanced Placement course. She can be reached at cepchook@wrvsu.org.
Errol is a life long Vermonter, growing up on his Dad’s farm in Westmore Vermont. After graduating from Vermont College (UI&U) Errol received his Masters of Arts in Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from Johnson State College. Errol has dedicated himself to helping kids and has spent the last several years working for Washington County Mental Health. Errol loves to woodwork and play his guitar. He lives in Chelsea with his wife Renee and two youngest children, Aislynn and Ellie. You can reach Errol at ehinton@wrvsu.org
Sam was born and raised in Vermont, attending Woodstock High School and then Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, majoring in History and French. Before earning his teaching license, he completed an ESL certification and taught English overseas for a time. He has been teaching various History and French classes at WRVHS since 2016.He enjoys golf, hockey, skiing, and cycling in his free time. He can be reached at sgriffin@wrvsu.org.
Don has been teaching at WRVHS since 2018. He grew up as an army brat and is not sure where he hails from. He transitioned to teaching after an extended career in the insurance field and raising 5 boys. As a self proclaimed Disney “super fan,” Don can often be found preparing for his next trip to the “Happiest Place on Earth.” You can reach Don at dmorrill@wrvsu.org.
Molly (she/her) has been teaching here in the district since 2017. She teaches English and directs the drama club productions. Originally from Massachusetts, Molly came to Vermont for college and found that she couldn’t bring herself to leave. When she’s not teaching, she can be found hiking, cross-stitching, or going to the movies! You can reach Molly at mobrien@wrvsu.org.
Laura Leavitt teaches chemistry and AP environmental science at WRV. She has previously taught on the northern California coast, focusing on place-based education, where students spent a lot of time studying tide pools and redwood forest ecosystems. She spent two years teaching math and science in the South Royalton Elementary. Laura is passionate about gardening and loves working with plants. She lives here in South Royalton with her husband Asa and their two sons.
Raina has been teaching at WRVHS/South Royalton School since 2008. Prior to that, she taught remedial math classes and tutored students at Green Mountain College after working at a civil engineering firm. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Engineering) and a Master of Arts (Education: Curriculum and Instruction). She has two children who both graduated from WRVHS (2021 & 2022). She can be reached at rrobins@wrvsu.org.
Nalani has been teaching at White River Valley HS since she moved to the Upper Valley in 2018. Over the years, she has taught many types of science to students ranging from grades 6 - 12. Nalani grew up in Massachusetts and loves the city of Boston. She is especially interested in physiology, track and field, and visual arts. When spring comes, she spends as much time as possible outside in the sun. You can reach Nalani at nsutton@wrvsu.org.
Mike (él/usted) has been teaching here at the high school since 2023. He teaches Spanish and coaches the Indoor Track & Field teams and is one of the assistant coaches for the Outdoor Track and Field teams. Originally from South Royalton, Mike has lived and traveled throughout Central and South America before returning to Vermont to attend the University of Vermont. When he's not teaching, he can be found spending time with friends and family as well as hiking with his dog, Basil. You can reach Mike at mepchook@wrvsu.org
H (Doug) Heavisides grew up on a small farm in White River Junction, Vermont. After attending St. Michael's College, he taught English at Hartford High School and then became a school leader at the Hartford Area Career and Technology Center. Most recently, he was a school leader at The Wilder School. This is his 33rd year in education and his first year teaching English at White River Valley High School! He lives in South Royalton and loves the outdoors, reading, and growing plants and flowers. He can be reached via email at dheavisides@wrvsu.org.
Coming Soon
I'm Ms. Alvarez and I am happy to join you all from sunny California. I have been in education for a decade now and have loved every moment of it. I will be dropping down plenty of knowledge on Social Studies for our students to pick up. When I am not living it up in the classroom, I enjoy skating, hiking, and hanging with my loved ones.
