Administration
Head of School
Sage Bagnato, M.Ed.
Sage Bagnato has thirty years of professional education experience. After earning her B.A. from Dartmouth College, she began her career as a classroom teacher in first, fourth and fifth grades. Sage became intrigued with the notion of how students learn, and returned to school to earn her Master’s from Harvard Graduate School of Education, with an emphasis on Neuroscience and Education. Since then, Sage has worked with hundreds of students as an Educational Diagnostician in greater Boston and Vermont, and has taught many workshops to teachers and parents. She has co-authored two publications, and served as the Learning Specialist at an independent, college-preparatory school.
Business Manager
Andrea Bergeron, B.S.
Andrea received her BS in both accounting and business administration from St. Michael’s College. She has many years experience working for various Vermont non-profit organizations, serving as CFO for Vermont Public Television, Shelburne Museum and the Flynn Center. She lives in Shelburne with her husband and two sons.
Director of Admissions & School Coordinator
Libby Macdonald, M.Ed.
Libby brings 20 years of teaching and administrative experience, along with a deep seated passion and commitment to the success of VDS. Libby holds a B.A. from Kenyon College and a Masters in Education from Marymount University. She taught at an independent school in the Washington DC area and was the Director of Heartworks Preschool in Shelburne, VT for many years. Libby lives in Burlington with her husband, Locky and 3 children. She enjoys running, spending time with friends and watching her children’s various sports teams!
Director of Programs & Faculty Support
Brea Schwartz, M.S.
Before joining Vermont Day School as a founding teacher, Brea taught for five years at an independent school in Sheridan, Wyoming. There, she pioneered many engaging learning experiences with her students. Brea holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Montana State University, as well as a Master’s of Science degree from University of New England. In her free time, Brea enjoys mountain biking, hiking, running, boating, traveling, cooking, gardening and anything that brings a smile to the faces of her family.
Faculty
Middle School Literacy & Global Studies Teacher
Ellie Aronowsky, M.A.
Ellie earned her Bachelor’s from Skidmore College and Master’s from Teachers College at Columbia University. She has worked for six years as a Middle School Humanities teacher at Greenwich Country Day School, where she was also a member of the Health and Wellness and DEI teams. She is an experienced, enthusiastic and creative educator who strives to connect with her students and foster their love of learning.
PreK Assistant Teacher & Spanish Teacher
Massiel Ayala, M.A.
Elementary Classroom Teacher
Erin Capps, B.A.
Erin Capps is a graduate of the Elementary Education program at the University of Vermont. Prior to joining Vermont Day School as a founding teacher, Erin spent eight years living abroad and teaching elementary age students at International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in China and Japan. She has also worked at progressive, independent school outside of Chicago, where she has also served as the head track coach and as an active member of a committee to foster social-emotional literacy within the school community. Erin is an avid runner and adventurer.
Elementary Classroom Teacher
Hallie Carpenter, M.Ed.
Hallie has her B.S. from Merrimack College and her Masters in Elementary Education: Creative Arts in Learning from Lesley University in Boston where she also received her elementary education licensure. Hallie comes to us with a passion for teaching and working with children. She has experience in schools in Vermont and Massachusetts providing instruction and behavioral management support to students of all abilities in Kindergarten to third grade. Her first career was working with teachers to create student travel experiences with EF Education in Cambridge, MA. Hallie is a native Vermonter and enjoys bringing her passion for musical theater into the classroom.
Art Teacher 
Ryan Cocina, M.Ed.
Ryan comes to Vermont Day School with 10 years experience as the Woodworking Program Manager and Art Instructor for the Shelburne Craft School. He is passionate about working with children and is skilled at teaching a wide range of artistic mediums, including ceramics, mural arts, drawing, painting and more. Ryan holds his Master’s Degree in Education and is excited to share his creativity and artistic expertise with the students at VDS.
PreK Director and Lead Teacher
Emily Creller, M.Ed.
Emily is a passionate early childhood educator with over 15 years of experience working with children. Before founding the Vermont Day School Pre-K classroom, Emily spent 14 years as a Mentor Teacher at the UVM Campus Children’s School. She has her VT Level II Educators License in Early Childhood Education. She earned her M.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education and her B.S. in Early Childhood Education Pre-K-3 from the University of Vermont.
Elementary Classroom Teacher
Sam Grant, M.A.
A graduate of Skidmore College, Sam also holds a teaching certification and Masters degree. 
Sam taught elementary education at Manhattan Country School for multiple years, teaching during the school year, and leading their farm-based education program in the summers. An avid reader and trained musician, Sam is beyond excited to be part of our school community.
Learning Specialist
Katie Goodrow, M.A.
Katie comes to Vermont Day School with a Master’s Degree and Certification in K-12 Special Education. She has ten years of experience designing and implementing individual and small group instruction in the areas of phonics, phonological awareness, reading, writing, mathematics and study skills. Additionally, Katie is able to conduct diagnostic assessments to identify student learning profiles and needs. She has presented at several workshops and trainings, and is well versed in collaborating with teachers to support learning.
Music Teacher
Kendra Gratton, B.A.
Kendra received her B.A. in Elementary Education from St. Michael’s College, and also holds Vermont teaching certification with a Music endorsement. A Vermont native, she currently teaches General Music in two other small Addison County Elementary Schools, as well as theater classes as part of the founding faculty at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. She has worked with students of all ages for the last 20 years all over the state with music and theater residencies, camps, classes, and workshops.
Math & French Teacher
Jack Gill, B.A. Jack is a graduate of Lehigh University’s College of Business and Economics, with a major in Finance and minors in French and Film. Professionally, Jack has several years experience working in finance and data science. During this time, he developed a passion for education and gained experience tutoring, teaching and working with children. Jack has been tutoring and teaching small group instruction in Math and is excited to bring his experience to the VDS Middle School community.
STEM Teacher
Darci Rankin, M.A.
Darcie Rankin started her professional career as an electrical engineer at IBM, but found her true passion was for working with students when she had a chance to go into schools to speak about science and engineering. She received her elementary teaching endorsement and Masters degree in Curriculum from St. Michael’s College. She has been learning alongside elementary and middle school students for the last fifteen years. Darcie infuses her practice with student voice and choice as she encourages students to take risks, be creative, collaborate, play and have fun!
PreK Teacher
Molly Keenan, M.A.
Molly earned her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Vermont. Since that time, she has worked as the Lead Teacher at a local Preschool. Her favorite thing about being an early childhood educator is forming a class community that fosters joy, curiosity, and engagement. In her free time, Molly enjoys being in nature, attending concerts in the area, and being with her loved ones.
Elementary Assistant
Caitlyn Ketcham, B.A.
Caitlyn is a Vermont native and has been working in early childhood education for the past six years. Most recently, she worked as a paraeducator in Jericho. Caitlyn graduated from Siena college with a Bachelor’s in English and a minor in education. She is currently completing her Masters and licensure in Elementary Education. Caitlyn is looking forward to joining the Vermont Day School community this Fall and will assist primarily in the K/1 and 2/3 classrooms.
