Season 2: #10 Maura Wieler: A Career in Education and Stowe Elementary School Principal

This week we welcomed our first educator into the Octagon Studio, Maura Wieler. Maura is the Principal of Stowe Elementary School, whose leadership has played a significant role in shaping the school’s academic direction and its culture of student-centered learning. Under Maura’s guidance, Stowe Elementary has continued to strengthen its instructional practices, support professional growth among educators, and prioritize the well-being and development of every student.  When not serving as principal you can find Maura on the mountain bike trails or chasing fresh powder lines with her family up at Stowe.

Transcript

0:05

This episode of the Octagon Podcast is brought to you in part by Archery Close and Union Bank. Hey, it's Tace and Chris from Archery Close your go-to Men's and Women's Boutique located here in Stowe. We wanna invite all of you Octagon listeners to our holiday market. The weekend of December 6th and seventh, we'll have a custom marine layer sweatsuit station. What does that mean? Well, you pick out a new cozy sweatsuit, select from a fun collection of iron on patches, and then have a mimosa and brunchy snack. So we customize your soup. Also joining us for the holiday market are two amazing Makers. Seven and Sun Jewelry and Warren, a brand new men's line based in Vermont. So stop on by archery close and celebrate the season with us on December 6th and seventh at 1650 Mountain Road. Since 1891, union Bank has made banking a little bit easier and more convenient for you by investing in the success of its local community. Your community headquartered in Mooresville Union Bank has 18 branches and three loan centers throughout Northern Vermont and New Hampshire. Union Bank is a proud supporter of the Octagon Podcast, as well as many fantastic community oriented endeavors such as the STO Trails Partnership, the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum, and the STO Land Trust to name a few of the over 200 nonprofits they work with. To learn more, go to ub local.com. Welcome listeners to the Octagon Podcast, where we explore the stories, people, and places that make Stover Vermont so legendary. I'm your host, Ted Thorndyke, joined by my co-host Mike Carey. We are excited to introduce our guest today, Mora Wheeler. Principal of STO Elementary School whose leadership has played a significant role in shaping the school's academic direction and its culture of student-centered learning. More's guidance, STO Elementary has continued to strengthen its instructional practices, support professional growth among educators, and prioritize the wellbeing and development of every student. Welcome, Maura. Hi. Thanks for having me. Welcome to the studio. Yeah, great to have you here first. Educator. I'm psyched. It's, yeah. Yeah. It's really exciting to be here, to be a part of this conversation. Yeah. we're psyched to just talk about STO Elementary Landscape of education, the state of Vermont. it's obviously a huge part of the Stow community and I also went to Stow Elementary growing up and just had a great experience there. Yeah, we love it when, this year we have a lot of former Stowe, students who have kids who are starting in this school. Yeah, totally. And it's like the best when people return. We really love that. Yeah. Yeah. over the weekend I was talking to one of my high school teachers. Obviously he wasn't at elementary, but just the connections and bonds, that you get going to school here is pretty cool. Pretty cool. So we'll just jump right in. just learn a little bit more about you and your career. when did you know you wanted to get into education in this line of work? Wa was it when you were a kid? Or, how did that all start? Yeah, I, unfortunately I'm that classic educator story of I went to school and decided I wanted to be a teacher. Yeah. When I was, in middle school. And so I, I actually come from a family of teachers, so my mom was, I was wondering that school administrator at a private school in Rhode Island, and she has four sisters and each of the four sisters worked. In some capacity in schools, either teachers or speech pathologists Or a reading specialist. And I just grew up around educators and a school was a second home for me. it was very often that we were eating dinner at school and my mom had meetings and I really got to see behind the scenes And see that the kind of, what kind of a community a school can be. and I fell in love with that. I always thought I'd teach. High school. Okay. And then I got to college and realized I really loved middle school, and so I was a middle school teacher before I moved into kind of more of an administrative role. in our district office. And then when the position opened up at Stoll Elementary School, I knew it was exactly. I was looking for Yeah. Yeah. meant to be. Yeah. so maybe where did you grow up? Where did you start teaching and how did you end up. Here. Here. Yeah. So I, I grew up in Narraganset, Rhode Island, so a beach town. A touristy town. and on the weekends my family would go and ski at Cannon Mountain in Franklinia, New Hampshire. Oh yeah, that's a good spot. Icy and cold. Icy and cold. So it's Big Mountain, like true east coast skiing. Yeah. And we had a little rental in Sill, which is this little, It's little cottages almost. Okay. Yeah. And they used to have a hotel and so we had a house there and we split it with, six different families. So every parent had a bedroom and all the kids slept in the basement on air mattresses. Awesome. And that's the classic experience. Exactly. And so that's what we did. And during a February break, in high school, there was a big storm up at Jay and my dad, Filled the car up with the kids in the house and it was just like one of those incredible days where you get Powder runs and we ended up having to rent powder skis, which was my first time on powder skis. it was like a big deal. That's a life changing experience. Yeah. And so in the car on the way home, I remember asking my dad Hey, so are there colleges in Vermont? Oh, wow. And, that's like how it happened. So then I went to the University of Vermont. Okay, nice. And, I went through their middle school or middle level education program, to be a literacy and social studies teacher. And then, I graduated and I just loved, kind of Vermont education and the philosophy and feel of schools in Vermont. And so my first teaching job was in East Corinth, Vermont, which is in between Barry and Bradford, really Central Vermont, rural. Northeast Slopes is there, which is like one of the last tea bars. I've heard of it. I've heard of it, yes. I think I've driven by that. It's the tbar is run from like an old tractor engine and there's these dads that turn it on for the kids. It's very old school, skiing. so I was there for two years and then I took a job at People's Academy middle level. Okay. And that's how I ended up in Lamoille County. Got it. and it was then that I moved to Stowe and I lived next to the Matterhorn. And so I got to do that for four years, which was the best. Yeah. Yeah. Wow, that's super cool. you mentioned your work as a middle school teacher. what was the transition to becoming principal? what was that timeline like? Yeah, so I taught, in Morrisville we call it humanities at people's Academy level. So I was a humanities teacher for about five or six years there. and at the same time I was also really involved in doing teacher professional development. So I taught a couple graduate courses, through the middle grades collaborative in St. Michael's College. And I really loved working with teachers. I really enjoy kids. but I just felt really inspired by the work that teachers did. And I feel like educators, it's a really challenging job. Yes. It's, and teaching, is really complex and I felt my work in professional development and supporting teachers, It was the sweet spot for me. And then I transitioned to work at, the Memorial South Central office. Okay. doing kind of teacher professional development. Yep. and I was there for five years and Oh wow. I got to know STO Elementary school really well through my work. Yep. and for a long time I said, I'll never be a principal. I worked very closely with principals and I was like, I don't think that's, for me, that's a big job. Yep. but then when the position opened up Atto Elementary School. I knew if I was ever gonna be a principal, that was a school for me. it just felt like the fit was right and the culture was right. And so I was so excited to apply for that position. and then ending up getting it. You got it. Yeah. And is that competitive? Was it highly competitive? I would imagine it's competitive position. Yeah, it was. I think the timing was a little tricky for folks. It was just as we were coming out of the. Pandemic. It was like 20 21, 20 22. so I think, it was competitive and a lot of people were looking to make life changes. I was the only finalist, but it was a pretty competitive, process as I went through. Yeah. Yeah. So is it a big difference? So principals, do you work year round? I do work year round. you don't get the summers off? I do not, no. So that's a big change probably. It is a big change, yeah. Previously I would run like summer camps and things like that with kids, so I'd still work throughout the year. Yeah. but it was a different kind of energy. But one of the things that. different about being principal as you are there year round. you can take your foot off the gas a little bit in the summer. Yeah. but. A lot of the job doesn't ever end. Yep. And as far as your prior position, were you also, doing some technology integration and proficiency based learning? yes. Pieces as well? Yep. my title I was a proficiency based learning and technology integration coach, which is the longest title I think there ever. Was and just scratches the surface of the things I was doing. That's a good skillset during COVID. Yes. Yeah. So a lot of my work, as we shifted to remote learning was thinking about the supports and professional development that teachers need Totally. To be able to teach students. and I think, as we've come back, we've learned so much about the impact of technology on kids. and so we've really re. We looked at how we integrate technology and making sure it's super meaningful and purposeful and that, we're really honoring opportunities for children to collaborate and honor that in-person human experience, which I think has been a really nice, shift as we've come back to school over the last, yeah, five years Is proficiency based learning, is that still. Being done because I thought they were shifting away from that, at least at the state. Yes. Because my kids did that question. So yeah. So one of my daughters graduated. I have two daughters. One graduated with grades, and my second daughter graduated proficiency based learning and was. I'm gonna be honest, was unhappy, right? Yeah. all of a sudden there's no more grades. How am I gonna separate myself when I apply for college? And I think it turned out all fine. Yeah. But there was definitely a wave there that, yeah. I think this is such a good question. So I think, Where there's a misconception at times is that proficiency based grading or proficient based learning is about grading and really it's about learning. Yeah. And when we think about proficiency based learning, it's really about getting super clear about what we expect children to learn, and then also being clear with them the steps they need to take to get there. Yeah. And so it's really about clarifying for students What does it look like to be successful in, in the different curriculum areas? And so that has continued, right? And then our grades keep evolving and changing. and so the middle high school just went back to traditional grades this year. And the purposes are really about. Providing clarity to students and parents about how their children are doing. Yeah. and that in terms of proficiency based learning is still happening. Yeah. I don't remember. Did elementary kids get grades? Yes. I don't remember this. I'm trying to remember. I got you Got a smiley face, unhappy sticker. Stickers. Stickers. Stickers were good. Yeah, so they do get report cards. Okay. Yeah. they've always been standards based, so that's continued on now? Yeah. Yep. Okay. Awesome. Thanks. Thanks for that backstory. Just on, on you and what brought you here. We'll just dig into still elementary school a little bit. the motto of still elementary school is growing lifelong learners through joy, curiosity, connection, and community. Could you maybe just speak to that a little bit as far as what that looks like in practice and initiatives? Yeah, happy to. when I think about Stowe Elementary School, and I know I've said this lots of times, I really view it as the heart of our community or the heart of our village. And, I think it is evident in the way that we, start every Friday morning with our community meetings and, we have opportunities. I think about, the connections that we hope children to make. We do a lot of work out. We have a garden, Oh cool. That we have really, Beth Bradford and Anna Kamo have really reinvigorated the garden. They've been around for a while. They have, yeah. They've been teach in for a while. Yeah. They're so amazing. stow Land Trust secured a grant for us to get a greenhouse and so we are trying to get children out and making those kind of connected learning opportunities. Totally. And really thinking about where are the opportunities to spark joy throughout the day for children in their learning. and those are some things that really. That really drive us. And we really are a school where children, they know themselves and they know others. And so we have things in the morning, first through fifth graders, they're at recess together and they're playing together. We have first graders and fifth graders playing basketball and they know each other's names and they say hi in the hallways. Kickball, kickball, kickball, gga, ball Foursquare. And I think we just have lots of opportunities for children. To really know each other, and not just by chance. And so making those kind of connections and community feel throughout the school, especially like maybe those kids they look up to, totally. Maybe that first grader sees the fifth grader, can'cause some cool mentorship opportunities. Yeah, definitely. So we have, fifth grade reading buddies is like a Yep, I remember that. Really solid part of our school. And we also pair first grade and fourth grade go together and they're matched up and so yeah. It's really a way to make sure that all kids feel that sense of belonging. Yeah. and I want every child to want to go to school every day. And these are the things that I think are really easy when we think about, what makes a successful school? Or, we're a very high achieving school, and so while we think about rigorous learning, that's a big part of it. But making sure that children feel like they belong and they wanna be at school every day, that's a huge part to achievement. Yeah. For kids. And so I think as a school, maybe the biggest part Yeah. I would argue yes. And so that's really cool. We really try and, those parts are just as important for us. And we try and center that in our value statements. Very cool. do you think Stowe Elementary is unique in that it's in this mountain town and you're surrounded and I remember like Sunset Rock. You would go do, can't remember the activity there, building little ferry villages Like in your backyard, but like you have access to a lot of things. Do you think it's a unique place to go to school? Because I did. Yeah. When my kids went there, I was I wish I went here. Yeah, totally. I think it's super unique. I, it's. We're like this postage stamp. So something that's really interesting is that the school is on this postage stamp foundation. So we don't have our own land. we don't have our own fields, we don't have, the playground is the town's playground, right? And so we are in this really inter special interconnected space, which kind of has allowed us to build all these partnerships and build relationships with others and do things like go to Sterling, go to Sunset, rock and think about. Those things. And we also have really special things like the Friday program, right? Yeah. Which is so special. Amazing. Fifth graders go up to the arena to skate before winter break. there's just things that we do. That's, it's pure magic, right? Yeah. and so special. Yeah. That's great. you're making that magic happen. so being principal is. A big job. You have a lot of people working under you. There's a lot of kids. What's the first thing you do when you walk in the door? Install metric. Drink your coffee. Yes. Yeah. the first thing I do, really good question. the first thing I do is say good morning to Kelly Hickey, who's our front office Okay. Admin assistant. And I check in and see, like the first real task is seeing. does someone call out sick last minute? Does someone have a sick kid and have to stay home? And so to make sure that everything's covered for the day. And then the second thing I do is I go outside and I typically stand outside from seven 30 to eight 10 unless I have a meeting. And I say good morning to every child that walks into the building. Wow. And, that's awesome. I'm probably like, that's great. 95 to 97% on All Children's first names at this point. And that's something that I Really? That's great. Work hard at how many total kids? Element school we have about 300. Yeah. and so that's a good memory. It's a really important part of Yeah. What I do. And I wanna make sure that I know each child, and every family. Yeah. Standing outside in, like the rapid fire naming is really good for me every morning. That's cool. Coffee. Are you coffee drinker? Definitely drinking coffee. Decaf though. I don't do well with caffeine. Yeah, a little jitters. The jitters. Yeah, exactly. I get that. But yeah, drink my coffee and bundle up when it gets cold. But, and we're pretty lucky the STO police, if they have an officer on duty who's available, they'll come and stand with us. as we say hi in the morning to kids, and so it's nice to check in with them, see how they're doing. Build those relationships. It's really a highlight of the day. Yeah. That's cool. Yeah. Yeah. And what's the, what's the rest of the day? Give us a day in the life of a principal. Yeah. It's not just you just go back into your office and just go on the internet the rest of the day, go drinking coffee. It's like pretty relaxing. no, I would say there's no Typical day. Yeah. but there's definitely a rhythm and a routine. And in the morning I try and get into classrooms and just say hi to kids, check in on what they're doing. And then I I meet with teams very regularly, grade level teams to talk about their curriculum. I have, supervision evaluation. So I'll go in and I'll observe teachers. And then we'll do, observations and feedback about their teaching practice. I always have parents that I'm calling or meeting with, to see how things are going. And then there's really fun things like. The music class wants to perform a song for the office, and they're all there singing a beautiful song, delivering I, Mrs. Wheeler, I made this picture for you. it's so sweet. and it's a day of ups and downs. And then there's things like, There was a milk skip bill in the cafeteria, and the custodian isn't there, so I'm mopping the milk. So it, I'm a woman who wears many hats. Yeah, I'm sure. and sometimes I'm out doing recess or, whatever it is that's needed. but I have such an incredible team and I feel really lucky to work with the folks that I work with, because they make the day so great. and every meeting I go to is focused on students and supporting students and is super positive and It's, it's really enjoyable. And it's a nice mix of working with kids and grownups. That's something that I missed when I worked, in my district position when I was really just working with teachers. I really missed kid energy during the day. Yeah. And so to have that kind of infused throughout is really great. It's cold. If there's one thing that you could change about Stella Elementary School, what do you think that would be? oh, man. I'd love to say it's perfect. I do have playground dreams, I'm a big fan of playgrounds. Yeah. I do think I have some playground dreams. Yeah. what would be the, because the playground's pretty good, isn't it? it's a really great, it's a super fun playground. they're these new, I don't know if they're new, but they're these wooden playground Super o open-ended. It used to be that. I know when I was in, in elementary, all the parents came together and they built that whole playground and we still have pictures of the playground. And I've also heard stories of when the playground came down and the kids didn't know what was happening, there's also some big feelings about the playground. Sure. Going away. Yeah. And I love the playground now, don't get me wrong. yeah. But I'd love to see a wooden playground. Yeah. Super open-ended play that also is really, suitable for our older kids as well. I think one thing that we see is when children start to get older, their movement and play kind of diminishes at those social times and they, with their bodies growing so much, they need to be running around and moving a ton. Yeah, definitely. And so just have more opportunities for that for kids. Yeah. No doubt about it. So you talked about, some partnerships still land trust. what other kind of community engagement service opportunities, within the broader STO community? Do you make available to students? I think, that's one of the things I've really focused on since I've become principal is building sustainable community partnerships. and we have our relationship with STO Police, as I talked about, as they welcome children each day. that's cool. I felt super lucky. I was invited to, Be on the chief hiring committee for both the police and fire, chief. And so that was a pretty cool thing that I got to do. we also have a really close partnership with the current, which are our neighbors right next door. and we actually Nice, our band practices there and we're starting a new, steam learning. Partnership, with them and their educators, which is gonna be super exciting. so Trails Partnership, they're opening a new trail behind the village. Yeah, it's open. Yes. And so yeah, you were talking about that, Mike. Yeah. Yeah. Super exciting. And, so we're, I'm working with, Kelsey. Skid. Yeah. Skid. we might have to go back and check that one. Yeah. But, she reached out to us about engaging children in, really building character into the trail and thinking about ways to get kids out on the trail, which is something that I. Feel super passionate about because I think there are many children who have access to the trails and to the mountain, which is really great. But not all children have access. And so to have something in our community, in our town, and for each child to feel like it's something that they can go access and come back to with their family, and maybe some of them, provide them the resources that totally, maybe they don't have. Yeah, so we're throwing around some ideas of how to get the kids out and, is it bird houses or ferry houses, or just get'em out on the trail. It has a view of the river, so I walked down it and biked it once. But there's a great view of the river down to the left, which you never see in sto, that whole. Yeah, you river. Yeah. So it's beautiful. It would be, you could do a lot there for sure. I think so. And it's also something that we can access from school really easily. And thinking about securing opportunities for children to be out in natural spaces for learning and to have this right in the village now, we're excited about what that's gonna look like. and so yeah, we are just really working hard at trying to make those relationships. we still have our relationship. with Traps. We go skiing there with the Friday program, which is awesome. And the sto arena and the mountain and, the swimming hole. We have children going there on Fridays. And so just trying to really think about who are those folks that we can work with? Yeah. to support students. Do you get to go to Friday program? I do. What do you choose? it depends. It depends on what kind of a day I'm having. So if I need to be in my office, I typically will go up and go ice skating for a little bit. And then go back to a meeting. But I try and, I'm very lucky to have a supportive administrative team. And so someone from the district office sometimes will come and work out at my office and I'll go up to the mountain and, just b around with different groups and be with kids. It feels really important that they get to see me. Yeah. That you're a real regular person here. Yeah. And so that's very cool. It's a real highlight for me. Yeah, some of my best memories growing up, I'll never forget the bus picking me up and the ski rack on the front. Oh yes. Yeah. And there's 75 pairs of skis. And just the excitement though, just you're getting out half day, you're going skiing and all the instructors were awesome. So it's great to hear that's still going. It's pretty unique. I find Alvi. conferences and people will be like, tell us about something about your school. And I'll be at my school, everyone leaves half day on Friday and we go skiing. And people are what? it just sounds it's like the Disney world of elementary schools. people cannot believe that's what happens. But I also think it's the secret sauce of what makes STO school community based.'cause I think it gives. Kids opportunities to build relationships with adult either volunteers or teachers, and maybe it's not even their own teacher, but just ways to interact and make connections with grownups in their community in a way that's so special. Yeah. and many of those groups will go year after year, so they have this relationship. With grownups in a really special way who are motivating them and you know you can do it. Or maybe they try something new. We have a theater program now, and so we just have lots of opportunities for kids to find their passion, at a very young age and feel super connected with peers and grownups, in a really authentic way. Yeah, I totally agree. does the exposure kids get to lots of things athletics, outdoors? All those things is amazing. And so I still remember all of my instructors, they're just like the coolest. Lou Cody was one of mine. Yeah. He's like back country ski legend. no, it's great to hear it's still going, majestic Mount Mansfield embodies the spirit of Stowe heritage. And we're proud to present the Octagon Podcast, a true reflection of our amazing community. Stowe Living is honored to sponsor this podcast. We're helping you live your best life daily with stunning furniture, unique design, kitchenwares, thoughtful gifts sourced from around the world. Thank you Stowe for your continued support of Stowe Living and the Octagon Podcast. When it comes to luxury real estate in Stowe Trust, Meg Kaufman of Land Vests, Christie's International Real Estate. Meg Kaufman knows the market inside and out. She's been a part of the Stowe community for over 20 years. Whether you're buying or selling, Meg Kaufman offers a concierge level of service. Taylor, just for you. Backed by the power of land vests and Christie's International. She brings proven success and local insight to every transaction, luxury real estate, local expertise. Meg Kaufman and Land Vests are the team you want on your side. as we mentioned before, you've done a lot of work with technology integration. I would imagine that can be a double-edged sword. you hear about some kids, they got the iPads and the video games. So I guess what is the sweet spot about integrating technology into schools, but without it becoming a problem or, how is it able to really ramp up the curriculum and be used as a beneficial tool, in schools? Yeah, that's a great question. And I also think it depends a lot on the age of the child.'cause I think there's. A lot we know now about development and the impact that technology has on development, for kids. Even just thinking about screen time recommendations or everything we're learning about smartphones and social media on young adolescents and the impact that it has on their mental health. And so I think, we know better and we do better. And so I think for me. What comes first is always that really high quality in person instruction. With a really well trained teacher. And that's no technology foundation, with no technology. that's. That's the gold mark there. but I think what gets exciting is that there are opportunities for children as they get older, more so to have, choice. How do you wanna demonstrate your learning? Here are some different ways to do it or to find connection. I had a class, when I was teaching at People's Academy middle level. We did a book group with kids in Waitsfield and students at UVM, and so that's not something that we could have done without the technology. So I always think about if we're just substituting something that we could do. Without it, we probably don't need it. Got it. But if it's something that we couldn't even imagine doing without the technology, or if it's a way to build more autonomy, on the part of the child to have more choice, I think those are really positive, opportunities for them. and so I think it's just about that, really thoughtful and mindful, and really Clear decisions, are we clear on why we're making the decision to use the technology? and if it checks all the boxes, then we, move forward. And I would say my teachers at STO Elementary School do a really great job of thinking about what that looks like. And it looks really different. the amount of time a kindergartner interacts with technology across a week, it's not that much. And as they get older and, fifth graders, they're starting to. Type their writing onto the computer and so it's, it's growing a little bit more. But I would say when we think about. Kind of national averages. I would say that we're definitely on the lower side, when it comes to technology.'cause we're, we really, as the value statement said, it's really that connected, joyful, curious learning opportunities. And most of those are that kind of like in-person community based learning. This episode of the Octagon Podcast is supported by web sticker STOs, very own sticker experts for over 35 years. When we needed octagon stickers, we went straight to web sticker because they don't just print stickers. They partnered with us, they dialed in our logo, tighten the design, and even suggested adding where to listen and follow on the back for extra marketing power. Our stickers are screen printed on vinyl built for Vermont weather, and most importantly, made by real people who pick up the phone, care about their craft, and have a five star trust pilot rating to prove it. You've seen their work everywhere. The Alchemist, Jay Skis, ski Vermont, and countless other Vermont businesses. Grab an Octagon sticker around town or swing by web sticker and stows Lower Village, or check them out@websticker.com. Yep. Do kids get, I can't remember Chromebooks. Do you give out Chromebooks to kids? Because I remember they got'em maybe in middle school. Get I was wondering about that.'em, yeah. In our K through two classes have iPads for children to use. Okay. But they stay in the classroom. They're like a classroom set. So if they, if they're using them, they can use it. And often it looks like them, taking a picture of what they learned and talking about their learning, and they can share that with their parents. and then third, fourth, and fifth grade have Chromebooks. They do? Okay. Yeah. But they stay at school and they don't bring'em home. They stay on a cart. They don't bring'em home. Yep. Got it. And no cell phones in the school, but that was probably never a big issue for elementary. Not mean elementary days, no, but probably not as much. The big difference was Apple watches and smart watches, lots of kids were wearing smart watches, which I think makes sense. we live in a community where part of the benefit of living in a community like this is. It's okay for kids, third, fourth, fifth graders to say, oh, do you wanna walk to the library? they have a lot of independence. Yeah. Which I think is so important for children to have that independence and practice safe risks. And so a lot of kids had smart watches so their parents could know where they were or, things like that. And so we've banned smart watches too, and it's just made a really nice change. Yeah. and so if children need to call their parents, they come down and they use the phone just like we did. Yeah. And so often we have to teach them how to dial on, we'll be like rotary phone. Yeah. We'll be like, pick up the phone, listen for the dial tone, enter the numbers, like it's very, and then they'll be like, how do I hit send? And we're like, It's just ringing, like It's so life skills. We're working on all sorts of life skills and no one knows any numbers. No. no one knows any numbers anymore. No. No. I don't know your number. No. you know my number though, right? No. No idea. No idea. The truth comes out. Yeah, I know it. I'm sure this would be a really long explanation, but we briefly spoke about COVID and just what was that like for you? Just having to. adjust everything, get everybody set up and, support parents. Yeah. I just didn't know, just go give a quick snapshot of, on the technology front. Yeah, sure. I was actually 13 weeks pregnant with twins. Oh man, when we shut down. So it was like, I had this whole other layer on top of it. My twins are now five. that's probably good timing though. He got to be at home. Yeah. Like good and bad. Like very isolated. Yeah. My husband and I each had a baby. Yeah. No one can help us. but there were some nice things about it. but I would say the thing that was so challenging is that we were asked to create brand new systems with very little time. Yeah. And doing things that. we've never been asked to do before. And I think people go into teaching because of that connection with children and asking them thoughtful questions and designing, learning in a way where they're working with others and you just can't replicate that. And so I think that was really challenging and to try and figure out. What can we ask families to be able to do as parents are also trying to work and they have these young children at home and these are really important years, but we also need you to be present with your kids and have things be okay. And so I think we learned a lot at that time. and is it all Zoom or you doing Yeah. Rough. A lot of Google meets teaching through Zoom. A lot of Google meets. Google meets. Yep. Yep. and so I did a lot of professional development support and office hours for teachers and, working with the administrative team, supporting the principals at the time, with kind of their systems and issues that they were having. And so I was being a professional problem solver, which I still feel like I am, but it was like this really unique complex challenge where there was no rule book and there wasn't. An opportunity to say oh, this school's also doing, there was no model for us, right? Yeah. And and then scary health things happening and Yeah. And all that. It's all, it was a rough time frontier. my daughter was in high school. High school. just kids wanna be. In a school learning Yeah. They just do. the social, the all seeing their friends and Yeah. that's half of it. Totally. That's half of it learning as a group. Not just learning online. So it was, I remember it being rough and isolating. Yeah. Yeah. I don't, we, I don't feel like we need to go back. No. Yeah. Yeah. I feel like I've actually forgotten a lot of it. until I start like really talking about it. Yep. Exactly. Totally. So what about, I gotta ask this. Does the school have a podcast? Oh, great question. No. Do you guys wanna host a still elementary school podcast? Yeah, maybe we could get some kids to do it. Yeah. Can they come intern for you and figure out how to do it to the school and have kids? Yeah. Could be pretty fun. we had a couple high school kids on. Awesome. As I saw that as, yeah. Yeah. So that's, let's think about that, that last episode. Yeah. One of our last, we have an afterschool program. We have this great enrichment program that we've started my first year. and Chantal Re who's a teacher, for us, she's a first grade teacher. She helps coordinate that. And so we have all different, groups that come in. So we have a karate with Mount Mansfield Martial Arts. Nice. We have an art class, but. I think having, let's do a podcast, kids' podcast would, podcast would be cool. Really cool. Yeah. Good time. Had, a newspaper group for a little bit. and so maybe morphing that into a podcast would be super cool. Let's take that as a takeaway. Yeah. It could be a good time. That could be fun. that could be really fun. Yeah. All right. I'm signing you up. Sign us up. Sign us up. Expose down to the world of podcasting. it will be the kids, the inside story of STO Elementary. I think they would love it, right? They would absolutely. we had corn chowder for the first time ever today in the cafeteria. Oh, wow. I'm sure they'd have a lot to say. They were very excited. No, totally. like the novelty. No. Tell us about pizza day. Yeah. We've got some good material here to work with. Totally. What's your favorite area on the playground? Yeah. or we can rehash the playground. Drama. looking ahead, how long have you been in this position? I'm, this is my fourth year. Oh wow. Nice. just as you see the changing landscape of our town, our country child development, what would you say is your vision and goals for still elementary in the next five to 10 years? That's a great question. I think, like many others, I think for me. I have a really good vantage point on the community and the changes that have happened in the community. I moved to Stowe probably 12 or 13 years ago at this point, so I feel like I've seen, yeah, the change of town and the businesses that have changed and just, I think. it is not just for the school, but I think having affordable housing, having, predictable school budgets that are affordable for families. I think, expanding our preschool and our early childhood programming, to include more three and four year olds to give families that opportunity. I think that feels really important to me. I think. more than ever we're also being more of a community hub for folks and so connecting them to social services or mental health services and I feel really lucky to have partners to turn to for support. But I think, just really thinking about what are the needs of our community? And I think when I think of community, we need all different types of people to be balanced and sustainable and thriving. And I wanna make sure that every. Every type of family can come to our school and feel like they belong and know that they can turn for help or, joy. and so I think, as we, continue and watch our communities in Vermont change, I hope to maintain that for. Our town. Yep. What's the makeup of the kids? So how many kids move in every year versus kids that have started kindergarten on through? I'm just curious, is it half and half? Yeah. Great question. So it's changed. we saw a really big influx during COVID of folks who came in. Yeah. And I would say we're starting to see, Fewer new families coming in? I would say it is. Okay. like this past school year, we saw, less families coming in, but we also have families coming throughout the school year. And I think we're adding four new kids between now and December 15th or something like that. Coming for ski season only. Yeah. Maybe. chasing the snow. but I think, we. We probably have 75 to 80% of the kids start with us. Who? Okay. Who end with us. Yeah. Okay. but I would say it's, there's certain years, like first grade, we always get a bunch of first graders. We always get a bunch of fifth graders. Yeah. Just happens, To have these kind of patterns. Yeah. but I will say, Not that we're, we're not a transient community by any means, but we do have people come and go throughout the year. Yeah. For different reasons. Yeah. and I think. I think we do a really good job of welcoming kids and making them feel at home even if they aren't there for the first day of school. Yeah. So when my kids are there, there was 50 to 60 kids per grade. Is it the same? It depends what grade. Yeah. So like our, third, fourth, and fifth grade are bigger numbers, grades, and then I would say we're like 45 ish. on the younger Yeah. For some of the younger kids. And we always have more kids move in as they get older. I don't know. Yeah. like I haven't, yeah, done any scientific research, but similar. But similar. Yeah. Yeah. But similar. We moved here, our kids were third and fifth grade, and that's like a, it's a good age to move Toto. Totally. you're starting to see them grow up and you want them to have access to all this stuff, so maybe that's Yeah. A theme, right? Yeah. It could be. Yeah. I know you mentioned wanting to really create that. Welcoming Inclusive Environment, community at still Elementary. I used to work at the Leway School. I've also worked in the mental health field, so I have seen some of the unique needs that, some kids can have. How is that implemented? you mentioned some mental health partners didn't know if. with, one-on-one support if IEPs are still a tool, just if you could speak to, how you're able to support that specific student population that might need a little extra help. Yeah, totally. So we really think about it as multi-tier system of supports. And we think about. Academic needs as well as social, emotional, and wellness needs. Yep. and so we have lots of different systems to support students and we kinda have universal, that's something for all kids. And then we have additional, resources and supports that we can put in place. and that could be everything from, creating a plan with the teacher and the family to. Provide some additional reading support to everything, to looking at, does the child have a learning disability and need some very specific accommodations to access education? Or could the student benefit from one-on-one counseling or, some additional mental health supports, or behavior supports. And so we kinda have this big spectrum. Yep. Every kid's different and every kid is different. And a child can be. academically really strong and super bright and needs the mental health supports. And so does that, doesn't mean that they're like this, they have all these needs. It's just for this part that they're working on, they need some additional support. Yeah. And we have a really well balanced, program with, good resources for kids and so that feels really lucky and we're able to really flexibly meet kids' needs. That's really great to hear. Thanks for outlining that. Yeah. Yep. Yeah. And then the other thing I was curious about, you hear about all the stuff going on at the state level Around education. How much does that impact what you do? Or is your just heads down, just keep doing your thing? Yeah, it's a good question. There's a lot going on. There's a lot. Totally. Yeah. There's no, shortage right now. Yeah. Of that. for me it's always I go to work every day to do what's best for kids. And what's good for kids is what's good for kids and that's what guides the decision making. I definitely keep a pulse on what's happening in Montpelier and the legislature. I think it's really important to stay informed, especially, I do think advocacy is a big part of my work as a leader, and so being aware of what's happening, there's a Vermont Principals Association that if there's. legislation that's coming up. They might call for, feedback from the field, things like that. Yeah. but in terms of my day to day work, I try not to anticipate what's gonna happen because often there's a lot that can change. And so just doing what's best for kids Yeah. Is the through line and then yeah. Just be present with the kids. Yeah. Yeah. And then we can deal with those pieces as they come. I think there's a lot. Happening and there are changes that need to happen in schools. but I think people have, very different viewpoints on how to get there. yep. Yeah. there's always been a push and pull for all these things and 20, 30 years. Yeah. but at the end of the day, still elementary school and kids need to be happy. Yeah. And learning, and that's not gonna change no matter what. No. Yeah, no doubt about it. Alright. Should we do a rapid fire, Mike? Yeah. Let's see. Some rapid fire. All right. You wanna kick it off? Yeah, sure. All right. You're in the hot seat. Okay. Ready? All ready? Ready? I'm ready. All right. Morning, drop off. Smooth sailing or total circus? Oh, I think my first year, to be fully honest, it was a circus. And I'm happy to say I think I've reigned it in and it's pretty smooth going. Nice. Yeah. That's a big accomplishment. Yeah. we moved the buses, we got some cones out. Yeah. Like we've got some systems dialed, I think now. Yeah, just drop your kid off. Yeah, just drop your kid off. Favorite hallway to walk down? Kindergarten wing or fifth grade wing. Oh, good question. Probably preschool. I know that wasn't one of them, but man. I can't think of a group that's more happy to see me every day than our three and four year olds. And so that would probably be my most joyful. Yeah, that could be a motivator. Yeah. All right. Snow day decision. Easy call or stressful. Yeah. Easy decision'cause I don't have to make it. You don't do it. Yeah. I wasn't sure. Our superintendent makes the decision. Super and it's blanket across o it's, yep. sometimes we make differences. So he makes a decision for Elmore, Morristown and Stowe. Ryan. Hery. Ryan Hery. Yep. And sometimes we've had just ow half off, but it's usually around like. Power outages or things like that. Yeah, it's different. Yeah. Or the two hour delay. Yeah. Yeah. The famous two hour delay. Can you ever go skiing on a snow day? Or you gotta be, could be honest. No, I, it's a work day for me, so I could take, I can take a day off. I could take a vacation day to go skiing. And so if it's really good, I'll think about that. but now that my own kids are on a school calendar. Then they also don't have the A school day, so Yeah. Yeah. But my daughter Grace is like a big skier, so she'd be all about it. And my son Charlie, loves the chicken fingers at Spruce Peak, it wouldn't be terrible. Yeah. We could leave with everyone being happy. Make it happen. All right. Kid with a hundred questions or kid with zero words. Oh. But I take both of them, but I love the questions. Yep. Yeah. I love to hear what kids are thinking. I think it's the best. Yep. All right. Recess duty or cafeteria duty. Oh, recess duty for sure. Yeah. yeah. Makes sense. Parent teacher conferences or staff meetings. Oh, good one. I I like them both. Yeah. but I do enjoy, staff meetings and getting together as a faculty. Yeah. It's really nice. Yeah. Cool. All right. Favorite post-work activity to Wind Down PM Skin Trail Run. Or other, oh, it depends on the season. Yeah. I love like a quick Katy lap that's, that's a highlight. acupuncture at Vibe. I don't know if you guys have, I've just went for the first time I've been the vibe the best. Yes. Just that's a really good after work, thing to do. Place is great. And then, yeah, like I love a trail run too, or a little hike up the pinnacle. That's good. Good to hear. You're taking care of yourself. Yeah. After a stressful day. Yeah. It's so important. Phone call from an angry parent or a teacher calling in sick? Oh, neither. No. I actually, there is the angry phone call. You usually get to the root of something that needs to be communicated to you. So it's usually a problem that we can solve and so unless we know about it, we can't address it. And so I always appreciate, even if someone's angry, being, having. Having the opportunity to talk it through and really figure out, like, how can we meet their needs? Yeah. All right. You know what? I did have one more, but I didn't know how to phrase this. Okay. Yeah. Go. So I just have to ask about this. If, has there ever been a food fight? Oh, really good question. Food awesome. Because when I was a kid that was a thing. There was food fights and I loved the food fight. So I have to be honest, when my kids were in school, I was you guys should do a food fight'cause it's really fun. And they were like, you can't do a food fight. You'll get in trouble. I remember some food fights. Yeah. That's a, has ever been one? Oh. Not Atto Elementary School, but I did have bring it back my very first year of teaching and I was right out of undergrad, so I must've been like 22. And we had this fresh fruits and vegetable program and There was like fresh veggies that were delivered every day and it was broccoli and like what? Seventh grader likes broccoli. And so these boys had a broccoli eating contest that did not end well. Oh yeah. And so it wasn't quite a food fight, but never again. And definitely they started throwing up. Yeah, it laughed. A lasting impression for me. I'll never look at broccoli the same again. Food fights awesome. Yeah. Cool. That is it for Rapid Fire. Thanks for entering those. Yes. we're just gonna talk a little bit about Stowe, you mentioned coming here living by the Matterhorn. when was that, what ultimately was that pull to. Come to Stowe and you did touch on it earlier, maybe just Yeah. how you've seen the town change Yeah. Since you came here. Your journey with sto. My journey with Stowe, so I went to University of Vermont. I skied at Stowe my freshman year. Yeah. and then I was up at J Peak kind of the rest of the time, or Bolton. so we moved to Stowe probably like 2012. So my husband, grant Wheeler, he's in real estate. He was a listing coordinator. for the Bateman Group, which was out of the Paul Sparrow office. Yeah. and so he was doing that. I was working at People's Academy middle level, and we were living in Burlington and we were yikes. Skiing here like every weekend and mountain biking. it just doesn't make sense. Sense. Were like, something is not quite making sense. and so it's a heck of a commute too. I know. We were like, what are we. so we looked at a couple of apartments and the spot next to the Matterhorn in the old Pinnacle building. Like we were like, this is the best living the dream. Like we cannot believe we landed here, ski and ski out down the, we ski the trail, we can jump on the bus and get back to the resort. Life is good. Life was so good and you can ride Adam's camp right out the door. Like it was good spot. It was good living there. And yeah, so we ended up there, and that was the start of us putting down roots in Lamo County. Yep. and, things that have changed. I think when we were living there, it was a two bedroom apartment. I think it was$1,200 a month. And it's you could never find that now. No. Yeah. And our neighbors who live next door to us, they both worked in the service industry. They lived in the building for three years as well. They were young professionals. And I feel like we don't see that as much anymore. agreed. And we had a really nice group of friends who were all young people, lefties or, my husband for a while would work at the ski shop. tuning skis or whatever, and I feel like you could live here. and that was something that was really nice and then there was like this, and maybe it's just me getting older, I'm not sure, but it was you go down to the Rusty Nail and you listen to some live music and you take the bus home and you go to a restaurant and it just had this energy to town. I also think things were. like on a Monday night, you'd have lots of choices of restaurants to go to because there were workers to keep those places open. And so I think that's changed a lot. I also think, and I'm sure you hear it all the time, traffic has changed. And I think there's some really good things about, the increase in people visiting our town. I think it's. It's really good for businesses and it's good for, a lot of things. But I think, the lift lines have really changed. I really miss the seven 31st chair. That was nice. Those were nice. The good old days, you ride like seven 30 to 10 for me. Ski the Bruce home, have some breakfast. Yeah. Maybe come back but there's those things that have changed and I think there's been some good things. but I do think that those are. Some shifts that have happened. Yep. and then there's some really good things that have happened. I've ridden mountain bikes for a long time and I think. I see a lot more, women and kids out on bikes than I used to, many years ago. And, you go to a STO Trails partnership event and it's all different types of people and families. and that's really exciting to me. and so I think there's been some really positive things that have happened as our community has evolved. and then some things that are just. Different. Yeah. Yep. Yeah, that's a good perspective. Yeah. And then you have a U unique perspective. You meet a lot of the parents that are moving to town in Yeah. Second, third, fourth grade, do they share the same enthusiasm for Stowe that we all had when we first moved here? they must be excited to be here just like we all were, right? Totally. Yeah. I think the stoke is super high for people who are just. Getting into town, right? Yeah. And I think something that's really nice is that folks who are moving in are really thinking about how they can prioritize and value, family time. I think for a lot of people coming to Stowe is about spending that time on the mountain with their family or getting their kids into skiing and mountain biking and doing these things that they share that they really love. And I think that's really unique about where we live. and I always, I, as I said, I have young kids and I'll always say Yeah, having your 3-year-old ski is not the norm everywhere. Yeah. so keeping it all in perspective. But I do think, for newer folks who are moving in, they're really excited To have this kind of like new chapter for their family. That's if they're moving from out of town. But even folks who, in Vermont who are relocating to Stowe, people are really excited. people wanna be here. It's a great place still. Yeah. of course, But I don't, I can't really think of many other places that I'd wanna live. Yeah. And are the kids welcoming? Like they probably get excited. There's a new kid. I have a new friend, yes. Super welcoming, right? Yeah. Yeah. And they all wanna be the helper and around. That's great. I know it's a good culture to have. It is in the school excitement for that. Oh, I saw one of my friends on, on. baby, that the T-shirt said, I'm told I like to ski. Yeah, that's a good one. But, yeah, growing up here, same, just some of my best memories, being out with my parents out hiking and skiing and stuff and, yeah. No, that, that's cool to hear about just that attitude coming in here to, that goal is to increase the family time. Yeah, totally. Yeah, for sure. That's really cool. All right, We always ask our guests these next two questions, what is your hope for Stowe, the town of Stowe in the next five to 10 years? I know you talked about STO Elementary, but town of Stowe. what is your hope town of STO the next five to 10 years? Oh, I think my biggest hope is around that affordable housing. I think that's the biggest, area that we need to figure out. And really figure out how can we, especially young families, and service workers, how can we ensure that folks who work in our community can also live in our community? And I think there's lots of examples across the country of mountain towns that kind of outprice themselves and then they don't become these sustainable communities. Over time. Yeah. and even just from an environmental perspective, folks who are having to commute really far to get to these jobs, It just doesn't make sense. Yeah. and it's not good for our businesses or the vibrancy of our community. and so I would say childcare, affordable housing, those things feel super important to me. and I think education is tied into that. Yeah, absolutely. Very cool. Good answer. All right, last question we ask everybody this. If STO Morrisville did not exist, where would you be living? Oh, any, it doesn't exist anywhere, so you can choose anywhere. Probably Squamish, British Columbia. Oh, I've said that might be my perfect place. We haven't heard BC yet. Yes. You're a big mountain biker. I can tell. Yes, because that's mountain bike. Yeah. Squamish is this like perfect spot. So you could like Whistler, you could mountain bike in the morning. You could drive. Not too far. Beautiful drive. Get to Whistler. Yep. Ski in the afternoon. You can get up to Pemberton if you wanna do some big mountain stuff It's just really awesome. And then you can get to Vancouver for really good restaurants and you're on the ocean, come on. Yeah. Have I sold you guys on? That's a good one. Okay. British Columbia has, we've heard a lot of good ones, but that's pretty good. That's really good. That's pretty good. All right. All, thanks. Cool. That was great. Thanks Mara. Yeah. Thank you so much for coming on. This is such a great conversation. I really appreciate, thank you. Hope you enjoyed that episode of the Octagon Podcast. Remember to like us on Instagram and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. See you next time.