Meet The Participants

September 2010
Paula Nadeau has all successfully completed all training requirements and earned their Certificates of Completion from the VT Department of Labor for the trade of Child Care Development Specialist!

January 2010
Bethany Caruso has all successfully completed all training requirements and earned their Certificates of Completion from the VT Department of Labor for the trade of Child Care Development Specialist!

December 2009
Amanda Kavanaugh has all successfully completed all training requirements and earned their Certificates of Completion from the VT Department of Labor for the trade of Child Care Development Specialist!

Nadeau’s Playschool has been part of the family of
Registered Apprenticeship since October 2006 and
continues to Sponsor Apprentices!

Nadeau’s Playschool is located at 907 Marshall Avenue in Williston and is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 6 pm. The program serves children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.

Nadeau’s Philosophy is as follows: “Children need a child-friendly environment that is safe, caring and comfortable and will promote equally all areas of a child’s development: Physical, social, emotional and intellectual. Children should be provided balance, a variety of activities,` and types of involvement that takes into consideration all the different learning styles. There must be enough flexibility within these planned offerings to spontaneously accommodate group or individual needs, unexpected circumstances, or parental visits. Opportunities to learn how to function effectively within a group setting and become aware of the needs of others, while at the same time being accepted as an individual, are also important to a young child’s development.”

Apprentice Karin Gamelin joins the family of registered apprenticeship in February 2010 and brings with her experience from other child care centers in the area. Karin started classes in Burlington at Community College of VT with the Infant Toddler Development and Care course in January and will complete her Related Instruction in December 2012. When asked why the apprenticeship program appealed to her, Karin writes, “It will help match up my years of experience with formal education and professional development.”

Mentor Mandi Kavanaugh returns to help guide Karin through her 4,000 of on the job training at Nadeau’s Playschool. Having recently completed the training program in 2009, Mandi is an excellent candidate to guide another apprentice through the process. When asked what skills she wanted to share with an apprentice, Mandi writes, “I would like to share my interest in an open ended play based curriculum, as well as how to make everyday tasks fun for children, as well as for yourself. This Program gives us all an opportunity to set and reach new goals that bring us all to a higher quality.”

Apprentice Rebecca Haselton earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in November of 2008. She has been working in Early Childhood Education for over 6 years and has held a variety of positions including both assistant and head teacher roles. Rebecca joined the Apprenticeship in November of 2008. She sees the Program as full of opportunities; Rebecca writes, “I hope to gain new knowledge that will help me grow as a teacher. I am always looking to learn things that I can bring into the classroom.”

Director/Mentor Judy Bergeron will be guiding Rebecca through 4,000 hours of on-the-job training. Judy earned her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Champlain College in 1984 and has worked in the field of child care since her graduation. Judy continues her education through workshops, conferences and college courses offered in her community and is currently working to complete her Director’s Credential for Early Childhood and Afterschool Professionals.

Judy writes, “The Apprenticeship Program is a wonderful way for someone like my self, who has many years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education, to be able to pass on experiences and knowledge that I have obtained through the years. It is a wonderful opportunity to support others in their professional goals. I have many leadership skills that I look forward to role modeling and sharing with others, so that they too may have the experience and knowledge of a leader when they are ready to step into that role.”

Apprentice Lisa Pantaline came to Nadeau’s in 2010 after working for 4 years as a Teacher’s Assistant at a preschool. The Apprenticeship Program appeals to her for its professional development opportunities. Lisa writes, “It will be a great opportunity to expand my knowledge in early childhood education while having hands on experience in the Center. I will be able to professionally answer questions or concerns that parents might have and will be able to offer their children a better curriculum.”

Mentor Caitlin McCain will be working with Lisa through 4,000 hours of on-the-job training. Caitlin earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Vermont in 2008 and worked in the field of child care while attending college. Caitlin is looking forward to the mentoring experience. She writes, “This experience will be great for our classroom. It will help us examine the classroom to see things that might need improvement. I think that this experience will inspire both of us to be better teachers and excite us with new ideas that we can translate into our classroom.”

Apprentice Tonya Rivard started at Nadeau’s in 2010 after working more than ten years in area child care centers and attending college part-time in elementary education coursework.

Mentor Stephanie Hebert is working with Tonya during the 4,000 hours of on-the-job training. Stephanie received her Bachelor’s degree in early Childhood Education from the University of Vermont in 2008. Stephanie enjoys the mentoring experience. She writes, “I am excited to share my knowledge with others. I enjoy teaching and I think that I have a lot of knowledge about early childhood that I can teach and share with others. Observing another person can also help me to see things that do and do not work in a classroom.”

Apprentice Jamie Morits has worked at Nadeau’s since 2005. She is especially interested in the Apprenticeship Program because she believes that she will grow professionally in the program. Jamie writes, “One of the main areas I would hope to grow in is my leadership skills and communication skills. I also hope to gain more knowledge in the development of preschool age children and how to write an age appropriate curriculum for that age group.”

Mentor Bethany Caruso is guiding Jamie through her 4,000 hours of on-the-job training. Bethany completed the Apprenticeship Program in 2010 and is looking forward to mentoring. “I am excited to be a mentor, providing support to a fellow coworker and guiding them through the program. Not only will I be sharing what I have learned, but I will also be growing professionally by becoming a mentor. My hope is that I can pass along the excitement I had for the Apprenticeship Program and encourage continuous professional development in the early childhood education field. Another great learning opportunity from the Vermont Registered Apprenticeship Program.”