First Grade
Gina Dyer
1st Grade
Gina has been with Academy School since 2016 in various grade levels. Prior to coming to Academy, Gina worked as a Special Education Para Educator in the Hinsdale school district. Gina’s passion is children! She believes every child has unique gifts as well as unique learning styles. She strives to help each student unlock their individual possibilities. Gina’s goal is to build lifelong relationships with her students and let them know they are valued. She is always looking forward to meeting her new students. When Gina is not at school, she is most likely outdoors somewhere . Gina enjoys camping and kayaking with her family. She is married and has 3 children.
Jean Schultz
1st Grade
Jean Schultz has been teaching at Academy School since 1999 in a variety of roles including multiage teacher grades 1-3, academic support teacher in grade 1, several years as a second grade teacher, and most recently a K-3 math academic support/ Interventionist. Jean went to the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine where she received her Bachelor's Degree and to the Union Institute and University for her Master's Degree in Education. Jean enjoys supporting students and teachers in math and working with her grade level teams to set goals for optimum learning. Outside of school Jean enjoys golf, reading, being at the lake or the ocean and spending time with her beautiful granddaughters Hadley and Tatum.
Jen Oliver
1st Grade
Jen Oliver graduated from Westfield State University in 2007 with her Bachelors in Elementary Education. In 2014, she earned her Masters in Mathematics from UVM. She had the pleasure of teaching First Grade at Academy School since 2010 with her wonderful Para Educator, Mary Leary. Together they created a classroom community where their students felt safe to learn, play, and grow together. Since the fall of 2018, she has been the Academic Support Teacher for all three first grade classrooms. This Semester she will be teaching Kindergarten and First Grade Remotely. She is excited to get know her students and to build a strong classroom community, where her students can learn while having fun! Kindergarten and First Grade are magical years and she looks forward to watching her students blossom.
Kristie Colton
1st Grade
Kristie has been a teacher for over 20 years and has taught students from Preschool to Sixth grade, but spent most of her teaching career with K, 1st and 2nd graders.
She loves to hike, kayak and bike ride with her family. She enjoys reading almost anything! Her favorite part of teaching is to stir the embers of curiosity with students and help them learn about their strengths.
Laura Casey
1st Grade
Laura has been working with small children since she was a child herself. She loves teaching through singing, dancing, and playing with kids. She loves sharing the magic of learning to read with first graders. In her spare time she can be found baking, skiing, and visiting the ocean. Laura lives in Putney with her family and two cats.
Laureen Reavey
1st Grade
Laureen Reavey is entering her 19th year of teaching, and 9th year in first grade at Academy School. Prior to Academy, she was a preschool and kindergarten teacher at Neighborhood Schoolhouse. Laureen believes strongly that with a strong sense of belonging and interdependence within a classroom community, students will thrive. She strives to create a classroom community in which students feel empowered and confident, and recognize that their contributions have the ability to positively impact their shared learning community. Outside of school, Laureen lives in Brattleboro with her husband, three children and two pets. She can often be found (or not!) on the trails around town on her mountain bike or trail running, or on ski mountains throughout Southern Vermont in the Winter
Patty Walior
1st Grade
Patty has been teaching at Academy for the last 15 years. She taught 3rd grade for 11 years and then transfered to first grade in 2016. She received a business degree from Castleton State College way back when and in 2004 received a teaching certification from Norwich University. She loves watching her students grow and become kind, compassionate and caring young people with a thirst for learning. Patty lives in Dummerston and enjoys reading, taking walks and spending time with family and friends.
Rocksy Vargas
1st Grade
Rocksy has been in education for over 12 years. She started as an early educator after she earned her degree in early childhood education. She worked in early ed for about 10 years before switching to elementary ed. She is a mother of three, all who do or will attend Academy. Rocksy has a passion for teaching children and loves her role as a paraeducator. However, she hopes to become a classroom teacher one day!
First grade is going to be an exciting academic year for your child. We believe that First Grade lays the foundation for a lifetime of enthusiastic learning. We are committed to helping each student become a successful and independent learner and become more confident in their abilities as thinkers and learners.
This year, you will be so amazed and proud of the progress your child will make!