Transition & Career Planning Conference 2023

This year's conference centers around the belief that the future is a destination of value. Together we will explore the various possibilities available to help Vermont learners navigate their path to that future, including:

   • parent support and engagement
   • youth employer resources
   • educational flexible pathways, including Dual Enrollment, Early College, and certificate opportunities
   • forgivable loans
   • scholarships
   • free access to credentialing programs
   • career and educational pathways
   • community assets for youth
   • Vermont State University update
   • and more

Thank you to our presenters, partners, and committee members for making this conference possible.

Partners
   • VSAC GEAR UP Program
   • HireAbility VT
   • The Vermont Agency of Education
   • The J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation

Committee Members
   • Chris Barry, VSAC
   • Erica Borthwick, VSAC
   • Tara Howe, HireAbility VT
   • Anita Long, VSAC GEAR UP
   • Toni Marra, VT AOE
   • Cathy Printon, VSAC GEAR UP, Committee Chair
   • Jessica Smith, VSAC GEAR UP
   • Anna Telensky, VSAC GEAR UP

Friday, May 12, 8:00am – 3:00pm

Registration 8:00am – 8:30am

Pre-Conference Yoga (7:00-7:30)

Join VSAC Outreach Counselor Matt Mitchell to loosen up your limbs and prepare your mind for the day.

Keynote Presentation (8:45-9:30)

The Future is a Destination of Value

Jess DeCarolis is the Division Director of Student Pathways for the Vermont Agency of Education and an educational leader in flexible pathways for learners. In her keynote, Ms. DeCarolis will address rethinking school and community – she’ll discuss hope and the collective endeavor of education and learning and the flexible pathways and opportunities to get there.

Believing that the future is a destination of value, Jess will bring her energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm for public education – she encourages us to remain engaged and hopeful – that “hope is not a state of mind, it is a state of action.” She stresses “there is science in hope, with new and evolving research demonstrating that it is measurable, can be learned, and can contribute to improved overall well-being.”

ABOUT THE PRESENTER:

Jess DeCarolis is a Syracuse University graduate and Rowland Fellow recipient with over 20 years of experience in the education field. She received her MA in Applied Psychology from New York University and her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Vermont.

In her current role, Jess oversees six teams responsible for the implementation and oversight of personalized, proficiency-based learning, career and technical education, flexible pathways to graduation, dual enrollment and early college, education technology, summer and after-school programs, and adult education and literacy.

Jess describes herself as a high-energy individual who operates best when managing multiple projects and tasks, and performs best when advocating for others and working toward improving upon a system/structure/process.                             

Session 1 Workshops (9:45-11:00)

Bridging the Gap: Affinity-based Transition Programs

AUDIENCE FOCUS: High School, Adult, and General

Supporting the transition to college is critical for first-year students, especially those from first-generation and/or low-income backgrounds and other marginalized identities. The University of Vermont’s Mosaic Center for Students of Color offers the Summer Enrichment Scholars Program which is a five-week, pre-college program that supports the holistic success of incoming first-year UVM students that identify as students of color, first-generation to college, or low-income students. This program aims to ease the transition to college and create a sense of ownership and belonging for those historically underrepresented on college campuses. The goal of summer programs like this, and other affinity-based support programs, is to increase the success and retention of our first-year students through graduation.

Presenters: Diana Franco, Coordinator for Underrepresented Student Success and Retention, UVM's Mosaic Center for Students of Color; Maria Del Sol Nava, Graduate Assistant, UVM's CEMS Office of Equity, Belonging, and Student Engagement

College and Careers: Personalized Support Planning

AUDIENCE FOCUS: High School and Adult

Learn how Progressive Education can help ease the stress for a youth with a disability and their family as they consider college and careers during or after high school. Progressive Education can help a young person identify their path and develop the skills to succeed through exciting, real-world opportunities and one-on-one counseling. Join us as we highlight the partnerships between HireAbility VT, College Compass, and Community College of Vermont (CCV) in developing and supporting a personalized plan including mentorship, campus engagement, skill building, and strong team-based communication as we focus on working toward greater independence and advocacy for long-term success.

Presenters: Brya Emery, Director of Admissions and Enrollment, College Steps; Tara Howe, Transition Program Manager, HireAbility VT; Chris Kennedy, Regional Director, College Steps; Dana Oliver, Program Manager, Community College of VT

Employer Engagement in Student Career Development

AUDIENCE FOCUS: Elementary, Middle, and High School

Careers CLiC staff will lead an interactive workshop on employer engagement so participants can learn effective strategies for building quality partnerships. Effective employer engagement elevates student career development outcomes. Participants will also have a chance to share their own successful practices with each other during this interactive session. Workshop attendees will receive access to a new Employer Engagement toolkit for use with students in their schools.

Presenters: Lorin Durand, Program and Development Director, Careers CLiC; Kathi Terami, Executive Director, Careers CLiC

An Introduction to Paying for College or Training 

AUDIENCE FOCUS: High School and Adult

Join VSAC representatives for an overview and explanation of the various Forgivable Loan programs available to students attending college or training programs beyond high school. We’ll cover the following points: what is a forgivable loan, how do they work, and what types of forgivable loans are available to students. We’ll also discuss other financial resources available to Vermonters such as Vermont Grants and VSAC-Assisted Scholarships.

Presenter: Paige Carrier, FAST Senior Analyst, VSAC

Navigating Options and On-Ramps to College and Career Pathways at the Community College of Vermont

AUDIENCE FOCUS: Middle and High School

We’ll get out the map, take a look under the hood, and give you tips and tricks to support your students as they navigate the options and access the on-ramps for the many opportunities that are available at CCV to middle and high school students. We’ll travel the road from application to degree completion together, making sure to build in some rest-stops for questions. Sightseeing, places of interest, and diversions are part of every journey, and we’ll include activities, time for interaction and conversation, and discuss how to help students get back on “course” when they experience roadblocks.

Presenters: Amy Dodge, Education Programs Coordinator, VT Agency of Education; Sarah Kresser, Early College Degree Program Manager, Community College of VT; Derek Lewis, St. Albans Coordinator of Student Advising, Community College of VT; Natalie Searle, Director of Secondary Education Initiatives, Community College of VT

Respiratory Therapy and Medical Professions - Spread the Word 

THE MORNING WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELLED. IT IS BEING OFFERED DURING THE AFTERNOON SESSION.

Vermont Career Outlook

AUDIENCE FOCUS: High School, Adult, and General

What careers and skill sets will be in demand as students enter the workforce? Come learn more about current economic conditions in Vermont, including employment by industry, occupational trends, and skills in demand.

Presenter: Kevin M. Stapleton, Assistant Director of Economic & Labor Market Information, Vermont Department of Labor

Your Next Move: Assessing Your School's Culture and Capacity to Support All Students to Graduate With a Plan

AUDIENCE FOCUS: Middle and High School

In this session, Aspirations School Specialists will share the Aspirations rubric and lead participants in assessing their programs’ strengths and opportunities while also planning next steps to effectively reach all students. Participants will work in small peer-led groups to exchange ideas for growth within each of the eight indicators. Participants will outline an action plan to initiate growth within one rubric indicator and obtain feedback from peers.

Presenters: Ellen Bagnato, Aspirations School Specialist, VSAC; Lauren Hood, Aspirations School Specialist, VSAC

Vermont State University Information Panel (12:15-1:15)

VT State University and VT State Colleges System Panel: Our Transition Plan and What it Means for Learners

Following lunch, we will have representatives from the newly formed Vermont State University join us to share their plans moving forward and answer questions you might have about how to support students in applying to and understanding the newly formed University.

Do you have any questions you would like the panelists to consider for this discussion? If so, you will have the opportunity to provide those when you complete your registration on Eventbrite.

Panel Members: Katie Mobley, Dean of Enrollment and Community Relations, Community College of VT; Maurice Ouimet, Vice President for Admissions and Enrollment Services, VT State University; Yasmine Ziesler, Chief Academic Officer, VT State University/VT State Colleges System Chancellor's Office

Session 2 Workshops (1:30-2:45)

Family School Partnerships: How to Start the School Year with Listening Conferences

AUDIENCE FOCUS: Elementary, Middle, and High School

In most schools, lots of information goes out to families (newsletters, conferences, curriculum nights). Research shows that this information benefits students and also shows there is a strong increased benefit to students when we listen to families. How do we turn the tables and prepare to listen? In this workshop, you’ll learn the practical training teachers at the Burlington School District middle schools experienced and implemented to start the 2022-2023 school year with listening conferences. Come learn about the pilot project, the lessons learned, and ways you can implement it into your school community and practices.

Presenter: Kim Hunt, Math Coach and Interventionist, Hunt Middle School

Hosting a STEM Fair to Cultivate STEM Identities

AUDIENCE FOCUS: Middle and High School

Vermont State GEAR UP will share best practices from our annual STEM Fair, including tips on how to recreate a similar event for your school or program. This event was designed to engage and inspire 7^th and 8^th graders in building a STEM identity and considering a career in a STEM-related field. This session will provide an overview of the structure and content of our event and give participants a hands-on chance to try out several of our STEM activity stations.

Presenters: Anita Long, Academic Support Coordinator, Vermont GEAR UP; Anna Telensky, Events Coordinator, Vermont GEAR UP

Issues of Identity and Disability Pride: The Importance of Self-Advocacy

AUDIENCE FOCUS: All Audiences

This workshop exposes the audience to disability as part of humanity. It dismantles the negativity around disability and educates attendees to embrace disability positively. This learning will lead to a better understanding of the disability rights movements and the fight for justice. This understanding will empower you to develop what we call Disability Pride. With these tools, you can be a great advocate for disability rights, full inclusion and participation, and independent living.

Presenter: Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyie, Independent Living Coordinator, VCIL-Youth Transition Program

I Wish I Knew That! Programs for Students to Pursue Before They Graduate

AUDIENCE FOCUS: Middle and High School

Participants will learn about the Flexible Pathways opportunities available to students and how participating in one or more of these programs in high school can help students get a jumpstart on their future.

Presenters: Sigrid Olson, Education Programs Coordinator, VT AOE Student Pathways Division; Ryan Parkman, Education Programs Coordinator, VT AOE Student Pathways Division

Preparing and Supporting Students for Online Learning Success with VTVLC

AUDIENCE FOCUS: Middle and High School

In this presentation, VTVLC and AOE will provide valuable tools to support school staff in preparing and supporting students for online learning. With feedback from students, collaboration among participants, and expertise from VTVLC and the AOE, this session will explore 2 key factors in online learning success: determining if the online learning pathway is appropriate for your student and best practices for supporting students engaged with online learning.

Presenters: Kim Bovill, Admissions Coordinator, VT Virtual Learning Cooperative; Amy Dodge, Post-Secondary Programs Coordinator, VT Agency of Education; Gregory Runyan, Director, VT Virtual Learning Cooperative

Ready, Willing, and Able: Revisiting Dr. Savitz-Romer's 2022 Keynote and Professional Development for School Counselors

AUDIENCE FOCUS: Middle and High School

This session will explore how one school has utilized Dr. Savitz-Romer's work and incorporated it into high school career and college planning. In this collaborative workshop, we will share examples of a developmental approach and incorporating work-based learning for career and college readiness.

Presenters: Laurie Berryman, Director of School Counseling, Spaulding High School; Michelle LaFrancis, WBL Coordinator, Spaulding High School

Respiratory Therapy and Medical Professions - Spread the Word 

AUDIENCE FOCUS: All Audiences

Do you help students navigate an overwhelming amount of career choices to find meaningful work? If yes, and Respiratory Therapy is not currently one of your responses, then please join us to learn about the profession, growing needs and career opportunities. We will challenge attendees to think of opportunities to share this profession with students seeking career guidance and a pathway to get them started.

Presenters: Geoffrey Farnum, Director of Nursing Education & Workforce Development, Central VT Medical Center; Megan Foster, Workforce Development Program Manager, Central VT Medical Center; Brad Holcomb, Manager Respiratory Care, UVMMC Pulmonary Function Lab & Pulmonary Rehab; Major Munson, Clinical Education Coordinator, UVMMC Pulmonary Function Lab & Pulmonary Rehab

VT State University Panel: Continuing the Conversation

Join the VTSU and VSCS panel members for a follow-up Q&A session.

What We Wish We Had Known: GEAR UP Alums Share Their Stories

AUDIENCE FOCUS: High School

In a virtual collaboration, GEAR UP alums share their reflections on what they appreciated about the help they received their senior year as well as what they needed more help with. Come join us for small group discussions on the topics the alums curated. Use this time to brainstorm with colleagues around the state and leave with a resource toolkit to take with you to support your student transitions in the future.

Presenters: Adriana Eldred, Communications & Outreach Specialist, VSAC GEAR UP/GUIDE; Jessica Smith, GUIDE Program Coordinator, VSAC GEAR UP/GUIDE

Questions: Email printon@vsac.org

Jess DeCarolis's Keynote Speech

Session I Workshop Materials

Bridging the Gap: Affinity-based Transition Programs

COMING SOON

College and Careers: Personalized Support Planning

Presentation (PDF)

Employer Engagement in Student Career Development

COMING SOON

An Introduction to Paying for College or Training

COMING SOON

Navigating Options and On-Ramps to College and Career Pathways at the Community College of Vermont

COMING SOON

Vermont Career Outlook

COMING SOON

Your Next Move: Assessing Your School's Culture and Capacity to Support All Students to Graduate With a Plan

Presentation (PDF)

Aspirations Rubric (PDF)

Session II Workshop Materials

Family School Partnerships: How to Start the School Year with Listening Conferences

Presenter Slideshow (Google drive)

Hosting a STEM Fair to Cultivate STEM Identities

Workshop Resources (Google drive)

I Wish I Knew That! Programs for Students to Pursue Before They Graduate

Presentation (PDF)

Issues of Identity and Disability Pride: The Importance of Self-Advocacy

COMING SOON

Preparing and Supporting Students for Online Learning Success with VTVLC

COMING SOON

Ready, Willing, and Able: Revisiting Dr. Savitz-Romer's 2022 Keynote and Professional Development for School Counselors

COMING SOON

Respiratory Therapy and Medical Professions - Spread the Word

Respiratory Therapy Pathway Program flyer (PDF)

VT State University Panel: Continuing the Conversation

COMING SOON

What We Wish We Had Known: GEAR UP Alums Share Their Stories

COMING SOON