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.

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.

Sandra Soucy
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING & mwf teacher

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.

Katina combs
Full-time teacher

Katina graduated from Johnson State College with a degree in Elementary Education.  She has been a part of the Poker Hill School program for over 15 years, and all of her own children attended PHS for preschool.  Her main teaching focus is on exploring the wider world and supporting social-emotional development. Katina lives in Underhill with her husband, Steve, and dog, Lucy.  She enjoys spending quiet time at her cabin in the woods, doing jigsaw puzzles, hiking, and doing crafts.  Her favorite activity, though, is spending time with her grown children, their partners, and her grandchildren. ​

jessica bortz
full-time Teacher 

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. 

MARGARET CUNNINGHAM 
​Full-time teacher

Margaret is a passionate early educator with extensive experience in the field. She first discovered her passion for early childhood education while attending the Center for Technology during high school, where she was enrolled in the Childcare and Human Services program. She continued her education through the Community College of Vermont. Throughout her career, Margaret has worked as a preschool teacher, in special education, and in afterschool care programs. Most recently, she has worked in a therapeutic childcare program with children ages three to five. She loves supporting children’s curiosity while helping to grow their imagination, confidence, and literacy skills.Margaret lives in Richmond. When she is not teaching, she enjoys skiing, going on adventures with her dogs Diesel and Fuzo, spending time at the river, and being with family and friends — especially her three nephews and niece.

LAURA SUNDSTROM
MWF teacher

Laura graduated from Saint Michael's College in 2020 with her degree in Environmental Science. Teaching skiing, rock climbing, and dance to young kids has become a passion of hers over the last five years. She believes that when children learn and move outdoors, it promotes wonder, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Originally from Vermont, Laura has also lived and taught in Colorado and New Mexico. In her free time, Laura enjoys skiing, rock climbing, and traveling with friends and family.

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Sharon Gilmer
T/TH Teacher & M/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 and w aide

McKinley lives in Johnson with her 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 children. McKinley loves to swim, hike, and snowboard.

emily ward
mwf aide

Emily graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and a Minor in Outdoor Education. She grew up in the area and worked at Saxon Hill Pre-school in the summers, starting their summer camp with her mom. She then lived in New Zealand, California, Alaska, and Montana. While exploring, she was teaching skiing, nannying, working as a field biologist, and teaching at Mountain Meadows Montessori. She recently moved back to Vermont to be closer to her mom with her partner, Zach, and their dog, Pedro. She enjoys all outdoor activities including sky diving, skiing, swimming, and running in the woods with Pedro. Remembering Poker Hill from her childhood has brought her back to her true passion of working with young children encouraging them to be confident and curious individuals. She believes in the idea that a brighter future begins with educating and nourishing children and their families.

Alana Callen
T/Th 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.

CLaire COSTIN 
​T/Th aide

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.

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.

MIRANDA
​SUBSTITUTE TEACHER

​Miranda has a B.S. in Early Childhood Special Education and has worked in the field for the last 15 years. She lives locally with her family and has been a part of the PHS community for the past 5 years. When not with young children you can find her biking, skiing, cooking with food from her garden, or baking up a tasty treat. 

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.

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