Our Staff

The staff of Poker Hill School bring a combined 80+ years of teaching experience to the PHS program. The teachers, holding a mixture of  undergraduate and graduate degrees, bring unique talents of art, science, woodworking, musical ability, drama, recreation, language arts, animal care, and  world experience to enrich the school and students with diverse indoor and outdoor programs.

Sandra Soucy
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING

Sandra earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Boston College, completed her Master’s in Early Childhood Education at Champlain College in December 2017, and has maintained a teaching license in New England since 1990. She has worked with young children for over thirty years in settings as diverse as a state-run home for children in Bethel, Alaska to a Jewish Community Center preschool in Brookline, MA. But she considers her greatest teaching accomplishment to be home schooling her own four children, all now grown and pursuing their own interests. Sandra lives in Fairfield with her husband of thirty years and their two cats. Sandra spends time outdoors in all seasons, and keeps active by running, skiing, biking, hiking and snowshoeing. She especially treasures time spent with her family.

Leanne deschenes
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Leanne graduated from the University of Vermont in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies. She earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Fundraising Management from Boston University in 2019.  She lives in Bolton Valley with her partner Jay, their two cats, and many plants.  Leanne and Jay share nine nieces and nephews whom they are very proud of.  Originally from Massachusetts, Leanne has also lived in Colorado, New Mexico, and studied abroad in Namibia with Save the Rhino Trust.  She enjoys outdoor activities, live music, cooking, and cheering on New England sports teams.

Katina combs
Full-time teacher

Katina, mother of three former Poker Hill School students, Austin, Mason, and Dylan has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Johnson State College. Katina joined Poker Hill School as a teacher in 2010. She lives in Jericho with her husband, Steve, and their dog, Lucy. Katina enjoys scrap-booking, hiking, crafting and camping with her family.

Kat McGorry
Full-time teacher

Kat has been teaching at Poker Hill School since 2008. Kat graduated from The University of Vermont in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education. She has two children who have both graduated from Poker Hill, Ember and Nova.  They live in Underhill with their dog, cat, rabbit and a flock of chickens. When Kat is not teaching, she spends time investing in the Vermont Ultimate (Frisbee) program as the Executive Director.  In her free time, Kat enjoys playing games, camping with her friends and family, participating in tae kwon do, and traveling for Ultimate tournaments.

Meghan Conroy
Full-time teacher

Meghan graduated from St. Lawrence University in 2004 with a degree in English Literature and a minor in Outdoor Studies. In 2009, she graduated from Oregon State University with a Master of Arts in Teaching with the focus on Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Meghan has worked in a variety of school settings including preschool, elementary school, and high school. Meghan lives in Underhill with her three children, River, Eden, and Wilder and their two cats and a dog. She enjoys reading, running, baking, and being outdoors.

jessica bortz
M/W/F Teacher & T/TH AIDE 

Jessica graduated from Northern Vermont University in 2023 with an Interdisciplinary degree with a focus in Education and Psychology. She has worked with children for over six years and is working on achieving her Vermont teacher's license.  Jessica lives with her boyfriend and dog in Underhill. She likes photography, hiking, expanding her knowledge of teaching and playing with her dog. 

CLaire COSTIN 
​M/W/F Teacher

Claire graduated from Green Mountain College with a B.S. in Elementary Education in 2016. She started working in childcare as a teen and never stopped! She has spent time in various childcare settings over the years but is happiest when exploring the world with preschoolers using music, art, and galivants in the woods. Claire lives in Mallet's Bay with her husband, dog, two cats, and small flock of chickens. In her down time you might find her exploring various fiber arts, building an overly detailed spreadsheet, or puttering around her garden.

Sharon Gilmer
T/TH Teacher & M/W/F AIDE 

Sharon graduated from Murray State University in 2003 with a Bachelors of Science in Health and Physical Education (K-12). She started subbing at Poker Hill School in 2014 while her daughter attended and has been working here on and off ever since. Sharon lives in Jericho with her husband Andrew and daughter Quinn. Her hobbies include travel, baking, crafting, reading, and loves being in nature

McKinley Fagan-barry
 T/TH teacher

McKinley lives in Johnson with her partner, Julienne, and their two daughters, Reason and Lyla. She graduated from Hawaii Pacific University in 2009 with a B.S. in Marine Biology. In 2016 she completed Champlain College’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program with a focus on middle level math and science. Since graduating from TAP, she has worked throughout MMUUSD while also homeschooling her oldest. McKinley loves to swim, hike, and snowboard.

Buddy Dubay
Music Teacher & After School Teacher

Buddy graduated from Mount Mansfield Union High School in 1979 and then earned a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Vermont. He has been teaching young children in Vermont since 1984, and has been a teacher at Poker Hill School since 1998. Buddy's daughter, Emma, who graduated from Poker Hill School in 2002, lives in Minnesota. Buddy loves music and plays several instruments and sings. He has released three CDs of children’s music, facilitates a non-profit musical group called the Minor Key Youth Music Programs and runs a musical afterschool program in the Chittenden East District. He likes gardening, swimming, and traveling.

eleanor soucy
full-time aide

Eleanor graduated from Bard College in 2023 with a degree in Human Rights and a concentration on cross-listed Education courses that deal with equity, disability, and identity within the classroom. She has been working in children's education environments since 2015, inspired most by nature-based programs such as Farm and Wilderness in Plymouth, VT. Engaging with young learners about how big and diverse our world is drives her work at Poker Hill, relishing any opportunity to empower the voices they are growing into. When she's away from her position as an aide, she loves music, activism, spending time in community with family, friends, and the Green Mountains.

LAURA SUNDSTROM
Full-time aide

Alana Callen
Wednesday AIDE

​Alana hails from the drastically different mountains of the Arizona desert and graduated from Arizona State University in 2011 with her bachelor’s degree in Political Science, with emphasis on Mass Communication and International Relations. She switched gears and earned her post-baccalaureate in Elementary Education from Rio Salado College and has worked in various capacities in the education field as a kindergarten aide, substitute teacher, and second grade teacher before moving to Vermont with her family in 2015. Motherhood was the catalyst that piqued her interest in early childhood education. She joined the Poker Hill team after her children began elementary school, drawn to its philosophy in crafting a first schooling experience for children that celebrates their innate curiosity and develops a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. In her down time, Alana enjoys photography, sewing, drawing, running, yoga, skiing, camping, and any time spent outdoors with her family. She resides in Richmond with her husband Trevor, sons Levi and Silas, and a menagerie of many creatures, furry, scaled, and feathered.

Beth and David London
Buildings & Grounds Maintenance...and so much more!

Beth and David both graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in education. Together they ran Poker Hill School from 1978-2012. They have two daughters and three grandchildren. They continue to live across the street from the school caring for the animals, gardens and grounds. Your children will see them often and work with them in the gardens.

JOIN OUR AMAZING TEAM