July 2, 2020

Dear EducationSecretary Dan French,

First and foremost, thank you. At all levels of public education, including your team at the Agency of Education, our roles have been turned on their head by COVID-19, requiring late nights, creative innovation, and new skills. Thank you and your staff for all the hard work over the past few months on behalf of students and families.

We are writing in response to the safety and health guidelines for reopening schools issued by the AOE on June 17. We were dismayed to discover that not a single classroom educator contributed to that document, particularly given that many of these requirements will necessarily alter classroom instruction and student learning.  We respectfully request that educators and educational support professionals be included in the creation of any further guidance from the Agency of Education. Our perspectives and expertise will be invaluable in understanding how to effectively and equitably educate our students within these health parameters.

We are aware that Senator Pro Tem Tim Ashe and a Vermont-NEA Task Force on Reopening Schools have called for the establishment of a State Planning Commission on Reopening Schools one that would have educators and ESPs as members, along with school administrators, school board members, parents, guardians, and caregivers, as well as public health experts.  We strongly support this proposal and stand at the ready to engage in this important collaborative work.  

Sincerely,

Bibba Kahn, 2020 Vermont Teacher of the Year, middle school world language 

Tom Payeur, 2019 Vermont Teacher of the Year, high school mathematics 

Linda Cloutier-Namdar, 2018 Vermont Teacher of the Year, high school English 

Kate McCann, 2017 Vermont Teacher of the Year, high school mathematics

Susan Koch, 2016 Vermont Teacher of the Year, elementary 

Rebecca Haslam, 2015 Vermont Teacher of the Year, elementary

Luke Foley, 2014 Vermont Teacher of the Year, high school humanities 

Tong Chen, 2012 Vermont Teacher of the Year, high school world language 

Diana Leddy, 2009 Vermont Teacher of the Year, elementary 

Katie Sullivan, 2007 Vermont Teacher of the Year, elementary 

Jennifer Harper, 2006 Vermont Teacher of the Year, elementary 

Karen Heath, 2005 Vermont Teacher of the Year, literacy coach

Janet Steward, 2002 Vermont Teacher of the Year, elementary

Bradley Blanchette, 1986 Vermont Teacher of the Year, high school English