Standing with my other Northeast Kingdom delegates today at NEK at the State House Day 2026, one of my favorite days of the legislative season. I used the opportunity to stand up for our small rural schools. Here is an excerpt of my message:
A small school isn’t a failed school. A rural school isn’t a business mistake. It’s a reflection of who lives there, and where they live. We can’t legislate away geography. We can’t consolidate away rural life. And we can’t remap Vermont into being something it’s not. In the Northeast Kingdom, our schools are smaller because our communities are smaller. That’s not a flaw—it’s a feature of a very special place defined by distance, independence, and strong local ties...Strong rural schools are essential to strong rural communities. And if we want the Northeast Kingdom to have a future—if we want families to move in, stay, and put down roots—we must maintain and protect strong schools in those communities.
Speaking with educators and Ed. Tech specialists at Vermont Fest, one of my favorite conferences of the year. I was joined by my fellow Education Committee member Rep. Jana Brown of the Chittenden-1 district to talk about Act 72, Vermont’s new phone-free and social media-free schools law, which we wrote and passed last spring, as well as other Ed. Tech legislation, in our Tech Town Hall presentation.
Making new friends and keeping it about our farmers at the Orleans County Fair, where our community comes together to celebrate the end of summer by highlighting our Northeast Kingdom agricultural economy.
An awesome afternoon hanging out with Vermont students at the Governor's Institute for Youth Action, helping them to come up with a mock education bill and guiding them through the legislative process. What an inspiring group of kids!
Celebrating "No Kings Day" in Hardwick, where I spoke about the importance of protecting our American democracy.
My daughter and I had the privilege of riding with the Grand Marshall in the annual Greensboro Funky Fourth parade. This 1929 Pierce Arrow might be the coolest car I've ever hitched a ride in!
Rocking out on the NEKO float at the Northeast Kingdom Pride Fest in Newport.
Standing in solidarity with Northeast Kingdom teachers in support of our small public schools and rural educational equity.
GALLERY
Touring the Poulin Farm in Newport Vermont as a guest of the Orleans County Farm Bureau.
Standing with my Emerge sister alumnae: Emerge is an awesome national organization that has helped prepare more Democratic women to enter politics and I’m proud to stand with the many graduates of Emerge Vermont who have become leaders in our State House!
The House Committee on Education on a behind-the-scenes tour of the State House, which included a rare glimpse of the inside of the Golden Dome!
As a teacher, I’m always excited to see students visit the People’s House—but one particular field trip was especially meaningful, because we were joined by my own students. These Government and Vermont History students studied democracy and the stories of the people of our state. Some had even been closely following the work of our individual House committees throughout the session, and then had the opportunity to see that work in action firsthand.
Speaking at a public forum on the future of education in our state that was held at Craftsbury Academy.
The House Education Committee, along with the Senate Education Committee, held a joint session to hear directly from our Vermont students about the future of public education in our state. It was such an honor to meet the many students who showed up from Craftsbury Academy. We also heard testimony from students attending Lake Region and Hazen Union, who all took time out of their day to stand up for our Northeast Kingdom schools.
