Educational Support
Amanda Paradis
Educational Support - Resource Room
Amanda is a special educator at Academy School. She believes that elementary school is a wonderful time to grow as mathematicians, become fantastic readers, explore the word around us through scientific inquiry, and challenge ourselves to be a positive part of a classroom and school community. Amanda believes that group work is essential in the classroom to help promote team work and friends who encourage each other to do their very best learning. She truly believes that she is definitely not the only teacher in the classroom... ALL of her amazing students are teachers too!
Bonnie Lopez
Educational Support- Resource Room
Bonnie-Lee came to Academy last year after retiring from a 40 year psychiatric nurse career ranging from state hospitals, maximum security prisons in both Connecticut and Vermont as well as private hospitals and DHMC.Her grandson Ivan, a former Academy star attended Academy School from K-6 and her granddaughter Maeve started Kindergarten here last year . Retirement quickly became boring and so a new career emerged working as a special educator para. Working one to one with patients or children has always been a major interest in her work.
Besides spending time with her grandchildren Ivan and Maeve , the loves of her life ,Bonnie-Lee is hopelessly devoted to her pit bull Lexi and volunterrs with several animal rescue groups to educate and find forever homes for traumatized pit bulls.
David Longsmith
Educational Support - Technology
David joined the District to provide technology support across multiple schools in 2020. He supports students, teachers and staff and myriad devices at Academy Elementary and Vernon Elementary. A BUHS grad (Class of 85) and holder of a bachelors degree in Media Studies from Hunter College, David brings decades of computer software and hardware support and extensive customer service serving local, community, national and international individuals.
Emma King-Clay
Educational Support - Resource Room
Emma is a special educator at Academy School. In 2022, she graduated with a masters in special education from Keene State College. She was lucky enough to intern here at Academy during that time, where she fell in love with the school and the town of Brattleboro! She previously received her Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education from KSC where she gained knowledge and experience about the development and education of young children. She feels lucky to continue her work with young children in a primary school setting.
Emma has worked with a range of ages of students from newborns up to high schoolers. When Emma is not teaching, she loves hiking, reading, and listening to her favorite music.
Heather Day
Educational Support- Resource Room
Heather Day is entering her 22nd year as a special educator working with students in grades K-6. She earned her undergraduate degree in English & Politics at Mount Holyoke College and began her teaching career with Teach for America in Miami, Florida in 2003. She has since taught in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas and recently moved back to her home state of Vermont in 2018. She has spent the last six years teaching in WSESU and joined the Academy Stars in 2023.
Her passion is finding new and inventive ways to help all children reach their highest potential academically, socially, and emotionally to enable them to become independent adults who are active members of their communities and life-long learners.
Jill McColgan
Educational Support- Outreach Coordinator
Jill is our Outreach Coordinator.
Meg Boraski Quinn
Educational Support - Speech & Language
Hello Welcome to Speech and Language!
What is Speech and Language Therapy you ask?
The Speech and Language Therapy Program at Academy School provides services for eligible children in kindergarten through sixth grade. These services include:
• Identification - Screening students in the areas of articulation, language, listening, memory, problem solving, voice, fluency, and social language.
• Evaluation - Using Diagnostic and Dynamic Assessments to determine a child's strengths and needs to plan individual intervention programs.
• Intervention - Providing intervention to improve communication and learning in small group and/or individual sessions both in and out of the classroom.
• Consultation - Meet and discuss with parents and teachers their children's progress, and needs to provide instruction that promotes successful learning and communication.
Meg Boraski Quinn is the Academy School Speech-Language Pathologist. She came to Vermont from Saint Ambrose University in Davenport Iowa. She loves traveling and has lived in six different states. Before her journey landed her at Academy School, Meg did her clinicals in Denver Colorado, New Haven Connecticut, and Silvis Illinois. When she is not working she enjoys listening to podcasts, dancing, reading, and exploring new places.
She is excited to be at Academy School and would love to answer any questions she can.
The Academy School Health and Counseling Office provide high-quality comprehensive services to all students and families. Our aim is to address all aspects of health and wellness that effect your child, with the goal of promoting student self-advocacy skills, and positive social-emotional growth and development. We are always available to consult with parents and guardians and enjoy working as a team to foster a safe and respectful school climate at Academy School.