Danielle Petralia and Ashley Hanlon of Richmond have graduated from the Vermont School Leadership Project at the Snelling Center for Government. Hanlon is currently the Director of Addison Wayfinder Experience in Addison. Petralia is currently an Algebra Teacher at Essex Middle School in Essex.
As participants in the Vermont School Leadership Project (VSLP), they joined 21 other educators from across the state in a unique program that offers intensive professional development for superintendents, principals, curriculum and special education directors, as well as other education professionals who have proven leadership abilities and seriously aspire to leadership roles.
The VSLP Class of 2020 is the 14th graduating class. It faced unique challenges with the pandemic shutdown and resulting changes to program delivery, in addition to the pervasive and everchanging landscape of the school environment. After pausing in March, charting a course forward via Zoom in April and resuming in-person, distanced meetings over the summer and fall, the cohort celebrated its 17-month journey in a final session and culminating celebration on November 14, 2020 at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee. Through theoretical discussions, experiential activities and personal reflection, associates considered and applied concepts related to leadership, education systems, organizational change and community.