Meet The Participants

Congratulations!

May 2010 Julia Farr has successfully completed all training requirements and earned her Certificate of Completion from the VT Department of Labor for the trade of Child Care Development Specialist!

June 2007 Nicole Walker has successfully completed all training requirements and earned her Certificate of Completion from the VT Department of Labor for the trade of Child Care Development Specialist!

Apple Tree Learning Center is located on the Mountain Rd. in Stowe. Apple Tree first joined the VT Child Care Apprenticeship Program in February 2005 and in February 2007, registered a second apprentice!

Owner Sonja Raymond writes, “I am very excited about the opportunity for our program to participate in the VT Apprenticeship Program. Any chance that my staff gets to further their experience and knowledge in the field of early education is wonderful I have always encouraged my staff to go above and beyond the required 12 hours of annual training and furthermore, to go on and get their degree if they wish. I feel that the Program is a great ‘fit’ for our center. We are set up so that all assistants are under head teachers and these head teachers would generally be qualified to be mentors. I am hopeful that other staff will apply for the Apprenticeship Program in the future.”

Apprentice Hailey Livingstone has been working at Appletree since May 2008. Previous to this, she had a variety of experiences working with children including The Kid’s School and the Pine Ridge School. Hailey has attended CCV Human Services classes as well as attended Notre Dame College in New Hampshire with 31 credits towards a Bachelor of Science in Communication and she is a graduate of Colebrook Academy, New Hampshire.
Mentor Josie Fogg has been employed at Appletree since 2006 and is the co-teacher in Hailey’s classroom. Josie has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, with a specialization in Early Education, from Johnson state College on 1987. Josie continues her training through conferences and other professional development opportunities around Vermont.

Josie writes, “I first observed the Apprenticeship/Mentor relationship in action between fellow educators about two years ago. The guidance this program offered to both educators impressed me. The level of professionalism maintained while training was wonderful to see. Tis program offers a lot of support to the teachers and I like how organized it is.”

Apprentice Crystal Peno graduated top of her class from Lamoille Union High School and worked in several different child care settings before coming to Appletree. Crystal joined the family of apprenticeship in December 2009, signing on to partner with Debbie Mandigo, in the infant room. Crystal has completed the 45 hour Fundamentals course as well as First Aid and CPR training.

Crystal writes, “The Registered Apprenticeship Program appeals to me because it’s an opportunity to advance myself in my field of work, at no cost to me. I hope to learn anything I can to better my knowledge of children and early child care settings. I hope to learn more about how to run a classroom on my own and how to be more of a head teacher.”

Mentor Debbie Mandigo is supporting co-worker and apprentice Crystal Peno. She has worked with children most of her life “My siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, children of my own, and now grandchildren have taught me so much; everyday I learn something new.” Debbie finds the program “comforting to know that well trained people will be out there serving children and their families”. Not only is she a part of the mentor support system, Debbie is also in the process of working towards a degree at CCV.

Director Sonja Raymond writes, “As Owner and Director of Apple Tree Learning Centers, I found this Program to be an incredible experience and look forward to having another apprentice in our program. I look forward to sharing my classroom experiences around planning, curriculum development, classroom and program management and assessment/observation. I know that I will gain insight and grow as a leader.”

Vermont Child Care Industry & Careers Council. All rights reserved.
Revised: 6/24/10