Academy School: Where learners are launched. Discovery through curiosity, creativity and intellect.
Administration
The administrative team is composed of Administrative Assistant Vicky Linn, Office Assistant Sue Durkin, Assistant Principal Jon Sessions and Principal Kelly Dias. Together, the administrative team works to support students and families, faculty and staff. Their mission is to provide the resources, tools and information necessary to support the highest level of care and learning for all of the learners at Academy School.
Kelly Dias
Kelly is thrilled to be the Principal of Academy School, where she began her own education as a Kindergartner! This is Kelly's 14th year In the field of education. Previously, she has taught a range of learners from Kindergarten through eighth grade, with third grade at Academy being the most recent. She then became Assistant Principal at Academy for the 2017-18 school year. Her favorite thing about her new position is that she can see all of the students and school staff in action each day. She loves to meet family members of students as well. Kelly lives in Brattleboro with her husband, Dave, and her four year old daughter, Adria. Outside of school, Kelly enjoys being outside, reading, and learning about new technology. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Vermont and her Masters of Education in Special Education from Rhode Island College. She completed a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership and Administration through Southern New Hampshire University in the spring of 2018.
Jon Sessions
Jon is entering his first year in the role of Assistant Principal at Academy School. This is Jon's 12th year in the field, having served in positions from paraeducator, coach, special education teacher, behavior interventionist, to now building administrator. He is a strong believer in the transformative power of public education and loves the opportunity to engage with all Academy students and their families on a daily basis.
Jon received a Masters degree in Special Education from UVM, and is currently a Doctoral student in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at UVM. His research is focused largely around how schools embrace an appreciative inquiry approach to talking about student who experience challenges here at school.
Outside of school Jon spends as much time as possible outside hiking, biking and skiing with his three young kids.
Sue Durkin
Sue has been associated with Academy School since 1992. First as a parent, then as a Para professional, and currently as part of the office staff. She especially enjoys being in the office because in the office she has the opportunity to work with the entire Academy community.
Vicky Linn
Vicky started working for WSESU in 1988 as the secretary of Canal Street School for 15 years before joining the Academy School Community as the Administrative Assistant. Vicky enjoys the busy Academy School office and is often organizing a game or an activity for the students or the staff. Academy School is a wonderful place to work and she feels very fortunate to be a part of it. Born in upstate New York, Vicky moved to Brattleboro in 1979. She has four children and four grandchildren.