Sam Lyons (She/Her) Director
I am a CT native who fell in love with Vermont when I came up here to attend Champlain College. That was 9 years ago and I have not looked back. I have my VT teaching license for infants through 6th grade. Though my passion in teaching has always been with the younger years. I believe that early education is very important for children’s growth and development. I strongly believe in emergent curriculum as children are active learners in their environment and what they are learning about should be based on their questions and interests. As director I hope to create a center that is a safe and welcoming space for the community we create together.
Makayla Jones (She/Her) Infant Classroom
I attended Northern Vermont University-Johnson and The University of New Mexico Albuquerque for my BFA in Jewelry and Small Metals. I’m currently working towards my Masters in Clinical Mental Health. Art and communication are my favorite things to practice! My classroom initiative is to provide an environment that promotes independence, emotional confidence and inclusivity through each child’s unique capabilities.
Cynthia Sheeran Infant Classroom
Hello families! My name is Cynthia but many call me Cindy. I am a Vermont native and grew up in Essex. I just graduated from Essex High School and I am in my second year of college at CCV for Early Childhood Education. I love helping children develop skills and become who they are. I love exploring nature and letting the children lead their own learning. In my free time I love to play basketball, spend time with family and friends, and explore nature with my St. Bernard.
Dee Van (She/Her) YT and Infant Support
I studied photography at Burlington College before their closure, and I am a very artsy person. I plan on going back to school to work towards my bachelors in social work at Champlain College when I can. I have experience working with children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. I have also babysat off and on for many families since the age of 14. One of the most important things for me as a teacher is to make sure all children feel safe and loved. Also, teaching bodily autonomy is crucial. For fun, I like to paint, write, play video games, watch anime, and read manga. I am also vegan and very active in social movements. Although I feel very strongly about certain movements, I am always open to hearing others perspectives as well. I feel like we need to be the change we want to see in the world, and then our kiddos can follow our example.
Shannon Jerolmon Younger Toddler
I have been working with children and families in diverse capacities for the past twenty years, and early childhood education is my passion. I love supporting young children as they explore the world around them, and creating community with parents and caregivers. I have degrees in Human Development and English from Boston College. I am also a parent of three young children, an avid animal lover, and an enthusiastic baker. I am grateful to be part of this school!
Elena Bourne Younger Toddler
Hello! I started in Early Childhood Education as a part time substitute/assistant in 2011 and have worked as a full time Infant/Toddler Teacher since 2016 . I am currently working on finishing my degree in Early Childhood Education through CCV. I value making learning accessible to all children and try to incorporate sign language and visual aids in the classroom. I strive to make strong relationships with families and children, and believe in fostering healthy emotional and social development for all. My goal is to create an environment where all children feel safe, loved, and accepted so that they may explore the world around them with confidence and curiosity. I currently live in Fairfax, VT with my boyfriend and 2 kitties, Ladybug and Honeybee.
Elise Holway Younger Toddler Afternoon Support
I am a senior at Burlington High School attending the Human Services program at Burlington Technical Center. I have always had a passion for teaching and learning from children. I plan to attend college next fall to study childhood education and child psychology. My favorite activities outside of teaching are playing with my two dogs, playing field hockey as a goalie, and spending time with family.
Laci Stanhope (She/Her) Older Toddler
I grew up on a dairy farm in Berkshire. I’ve nannied for families since I was 14 and worked in a center for two years. I graduated from Castleton University in May of 2020. I’m a big believer that children learn the most through play. I believe it helps them learn about the world around them, develops their social and cognitive skills and also helps them gain self confidence all while having fun!
Mission statement -To treat students as individuals and to meet their intellectual and emotional needs. I want to help inspire students to develop self-confidence that they can carry with them for years to come.
Bonnie Thomas (She/Her) Older Toddler
Hello my name is Miss Bonnie, and I am very excited to become your teacher this year! I cannot wait to see you all on our first day of school!! I have so many fun activities planned for us. I grew up in Vermont and I have 5 siblings and a cat named Millie. I went to Castleton University for teaching.
Lindsey Mercure Older Toddler Afternoon Support
Hi! My name is Lindsey Mercure. I am 16 years old and I am a Junior at Colchester High school. I also attend Burlington Technical Center’s human services program, where I am working in a preschool classroom. I enjoy skiing in the winter and spending time with family and friends. I have lived in Vermont my whole life with my Mom, Dad, and older Sister. My goal is to someday open my own Daycare!
Maddy Wilson (She/Her) Preschool
I am super excited to be part of this new program and initiative with ONE Community Schools. Since graduating from SUNY Potsdam with a degree in Biology, I have taken on many roles in the education sector in both public and private school settings as well as at Environmental Education Centers. I really enjoy teaching my students about science and nature, and have really put an emphasis on outdoor play and exploration as well as helping children learn in a way that feels exciting and beneficial to them as individuals as well as a group. ONE Community School has allowed me to excel and create programming that works towards benefitting the whole child by allowing them to explore and learn in fun, productive ways. I look forward to continuing to create with our class and this amazing school and program.
Julia Cornell (She/Her) Preschool
Hi friends and family! I am so excited to be a part of the growing community ONE Arts has established here. I just moved to Burlington from Boston where I lived and worked in various positions within the field of community arts and education. In 2019 I graduated from Lesley University where I received my degree in expressive arts therapy; a holistic counseling psychology degree that focuses on incorporating music, drama, dance, creative writing, and visual arts into the field of healing. I have been a musician for my entire life and am passionate about sharing the transformative power of music and the arts with children and families. Having been fortunate enough to grow up in a household full of warmth and laughter, I believe that early childhood education should reflect that same welcoming sense of warmth and provide a safe space for children to learn, grow, and explore the world around them. When I am not spending time with my littlest friends, I love writing and performing music of my own, traveling, spending time in nature, and visiting with my family and friends.
Charlie Clark (He/Him) Preschool
Charlie is an Old North End community member and he’s so excited to be a part of our Preschool classroom! In his free time he likes to cook, play guitar and write songs, draw, play soccer, fish, and laugh until his stomach hurts. He graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers in 2019, where he got a BFA in painting and printmaking and a minor in Art History. He has taught environmental education for the Keewaydin Foundation and worked in special education at Colchester Middle School.
Kerri Kruer (She/Her) Classroom Support
I’m so excited to join the ONE Arts Community as a floating teacher! I grew up in Underhill VT and went to Champlain College where I studied Elementary Ed and Early Childhood Development. After over 15 years working with young children, I spent the past 5 years home with my own kids. I’m excited to be returning to my love of supporting children, families and educators in a community setting!
ONE Arts Community School 