MEET THE CANDIDATES

The VTSCA is pleased to announce our slate of candidates for our 2026 election! Voting is open to members only and is conducted electronically via Election Runner. If you are an active member of the VTCA, please check your email for voting information and instructions.

Voting is open October 24, 2026 through October 31, 2026 at 5:00pm.

CANDIDATES FOR THREE-YEAR TERM

Four Seats Available

ALLISON WITHERSPOON

Director of School Counseling

Richford High School
Franklin Northeast Supervisory Union

Why are you running for the VTSCA Board of Directors?

I am running for the VTSCA Board of Directors because, after 24 years in the profession, I am at a point where I am ready to give back. I am excited about the of prospect of networking with counselors from across the state to continue the impressive work of the VTSCA board. Whether that is checking and responding to VTSCA emails, providing timely feedback to the executive director or board chair, attending professional development initiatives, or serving on a subcommittee, I am prepared to contribute in any way that I can. Above all, I want to support our profession and my colleagues so together we can continue to advocate and cheerlead for the children and young adults of Vermont.

Brief Bio
I grew up right here in Vermont, attending Craftsbury Academy and Stowe High School. I went on to major in English Literature and minor in Secondary Education at Wheaton College in Massachusetts, fully intending to become a high school English teacher. However, a college internship with the Upward Bound Program changed my pathway—it showed me that my real passion lies in guiding high school students through their post-secondary planning processes. After spending six years working at the elementary and middle school levels, I jumped at the chance to become the Director of School Counseling at Richford High School. Today, I’m thrilled to be in my 24th year supporting the Richford community! I live in Montgomery, VT with my husband and two teenage children who keep me busy driving them to ski competitions and a multitude of other sporting events.

ERIN DUFAULT

School Counseling Coordinator

Mt. Abraham Union High School

Mt. Abraham Unified School District

Why are you running for the VTSCA Board of Directors?

I am interested in running for a seat on the Board of Directors to work with other school counselors to promote our profession. VTSCA is a vital organization that supports school counselors through advocacy, professional development, mentoring, and collaboration. As a member, I have greatly benefited from these opportunities and resources. I am in a place in my career where I am interested in giving back to our school counseling community and focusing more directly on advocating for the role of the school counselor. I am also eager to collaborate with other board members to expand the resources available to all school counselors throughout the state.

Brief Bio

Erin Dufault currently serves as the School Counseling Coordinator at Mt. Abraham Union High School. She has spent the last 22 years as a school counselor in a variety of settings that range from small, rural to larger, urban schools. In her current position, she works closely with school counseling colleagues and administrators to create systems of support for students. In addition to this systemic work within the school, she is a strong advocate for the school counseling profession and seizes the opportunity to explain to others the incredible impact school counselors have in supporting all students in their well-being and overall success.

Erin’s school counseling career evolved through early work in the college admissions field. She deeply values the future oriented aspect of supporting adolescents and their families around post-secondary planning. She is committed to expanding the awareness of opportunities for students and enjoys working with counseling colleagues on exposing students to all of the future planning options available to them!

JENA HOGAN

School Counselor

Mary Hogan School
Addison Central School District

Why are you running for the VTSCA Board of Directors?

I am running for the VTSCA Board of Directors because I would love the opportunity to be more involved in supporting and advocating for school counselors across Vermont. I really value the role VTSCA plays in bringing school counselors together, advocating for our profession, and providing opportunities for us to learn from and support one another.

I would love to bring my perspective as an elementary school counselor to the Board and be part of the conversations and decisions that impact our profession across the state. I think it is so important that school counselors have a voice, feel connected to one another, and have opportunities to share what is working and what we are experiencing in our schools. I would be excited to contribute to that work, continue building connections with school counselors across Vermont and help support and strengthen our profession.

Brief Bio

Hi! I'm Jena Hogan, a school counselor at Mary Hogan School in Middlebury, where I work with elementary-aged students. I have been a school counselor with Addison Central School District since 2020. I really value building relationships with students and creating a school counseling program that gives all students opportunities to feel supported and connected at school. I also value making sure the work we do is intentional and aligned with the ASCA National Model and Vermont's Comprehensive School Counselor Framework.

I strongly believe in advocating for our role as school counselors and the importance of connecting and collaborating with other school counselors. I have found that some of my greatest professional growth has come from learning from, sharing ideas with, and supporting one another within our school counseling community.

I was very fortunate to be part of the VTSCA cohort that helped develop Vermont's Comprehensive School Counselor Framework, which was later adopted by the Agency of Education. Being part of that work really showed me the importance of school counselors coming together, sharing our experiences, and having a voice in our profession.

KIMBERLY EZZO

School Counselor

Fair Haven Union Middle School
Slate Valley USD

Why are you running for the VTSCA Board of Directors?

I am interested in serving on the VTSCA Board of Directors because I believe in the importance of strong leadership, collaboration, and working together toward common goals. I want to be a part of a team with a shared vision- one that listens to its members, values diverse perspectives, and makes thoughtful decisions that benefit the school counseling community as a whole.

I believe school counselors deserve a strong, unified voice at both the local and state levels. Serving on the board would provide an opportunity to strengthen our professional community, advocate for our profession, and ensure that the voices of school counselors are heard and our impact on students and schools recognized and valued.

I believe in the essential role school counselors play in the day-to-day success of our schools. We support students in reaching their full potential, advocate for their diverse needs, and contribute to creating environments where all students can thrive. Strong, supportive school counseling programs are vital to student success, and it is important that their value is understood and recognized.

Ultimately, I believe that there is strength in coming together. By building connections, sharing perspectives, and advocating collectively, we can elevate our profession and strengthen school counseling across Vermont.

Brief Bio
My name is Kimberly Ezzo. I have been a School Counselor in Slate Valley for 18 years; serving in small schools and larger ones. I have worked with students from Pre-K to 12th grade, but my favorite is Middle School. I live in the Slate Valley District with my husband and 2 golden retrievers. I have 3 grown daughters who have all graduated from Slate Valley Schools. Two are enjoying life and working and one is in graduate school.

LISA LaPLANTE

Director of Student Services

U-32
WCUUSD

Why are you running for the VTSCA Board of Directors?

As an incumbent board member and Director of Student Services, I am running for a three-year term to continue advocating for Vermont’s school counselors and the students we serve. My leadership experience in WCUUSD gives me direct insight into the mental health, academic, and social-emotional challenges our schools face daily. Having served on the board, I want to build on our momentum by expanding professional development, strengthening statewide networking, and ensuring school counselors have the structural support and voice needed to succeed.

Brief Bio
Lisa LaPlante currently serves as the Director of Student Services at U-32 (WCUUSD) and as Board Chair of the VTSCA Board of Directors. Throughout her career, Lisa has focused on supporting the holistic needs of students and creating sustainable structures for educators. On the board, she looks forward to continuing her work amplifying counselor voices, building statewide professional connections, and ensuring Vermont counselors have the tools needed to thrive.

MICHELLE WEED

School Counselor

Enosburg Falls High School

FNESU

Why are you running for the VTSCA Board of Directors?

I am interested in pushing myself out of my comfort zone, investing in VTSCA as well as collaborating with and meeting new people.

Brief Bio

I am a high school counselor in Enosburg Falls High School. I love working with teenagers - whether it is helping them navigate simple things like an easy change to their schedule, grabbing a snack to the hardest of things that might be going on in their lives and making decisions about what comes next after high school as well as how to prepare for that.

This school year I am following advice that I would give to my students about pushing themselves out of their comfort zone. One way that I would like to do that is by joining the VTSCA board of directors. My hope is to be able to contribute more to our field and to collaborate with and learn from new people.

CANDIDATES FOR TWO-YEAR TERM

One Seat Available

ADRIEN PRESTON

Director of School Counseling

Middlebury Union High School

Addison Central School District

Why are you running for the VTSCA Board of Directors?

I would like to serve on the VTSCA Board of Directors because I am passionate about advocating for school counselors, and supporting our profession statewide. I know how important the role is to the wellbeing of our students and communities, and I hope to help amplify the incredible work that is already being done by school counselors in Vermont. Everyday, I work with amazing professionals who hold the balance of compassion, expertise, courage and experience in order to empower and support students. I am eager to learn about, and enhance individual school and district systems that support this important work. I hope that by joining the board, I can work together with other school counselors to strengthen the counseling community, promote equitable access to appropriate professional development and resources, and ensure that every counselor has the tools and voice needed to make a meaningful impact. It would be an honor to serve on the VTSCA Board of Directors, allowing me to give back to a profession that has profoundly shaped my life, and to help advance VTSCA’s mission to foster the success and well-being of all Vermont students.

Brief Bio

Adrien Preston is the Director of School Counseling at Middlebury Union High School. Born and raised in Vermont, she graduated from Hamilton College before beginning her career in higher education at Gannon University, where she discovered her passion for supporting students through life transitions and fostering personal growth. After returning to Vermont, she worked at UVM’s Substance Abuse Treatment Center while earning her M.S. in Counseling. Throughout her career, Adrien has remained committed to a student-centered approach, advocating for students’ needs and working to strengthening systems of support within schools and communities.

HEATHER HADDICK

School Counseling Coordinator
Cold Hollow Career Center

FNESU

Why are you running for the VTSCA Board of Directors?

This is my 26th year as a Vermont School Counselor. I have thoroughly enjoyed my career working with students and fellow amazing counselors throughout my journey in the field. I appreciate working with students in all aspects from teaching in the classroom, individual support, advocacy, finding and creating learning experiences, and any other avenue to ensure getting students where they want to go.

I hope to support other school counselors and VTSCA with my previous experience in K-8 and my experience as a CTE counselor who works closely with other high school counselors. I am a team player who has taken on all the roles that small rural schools throw at School Counselors such as running EST and 504, PBIS programming, Student Council and other leadership opportunities and beyond.

Brief Bio

Hi my name is Heather Haddick. I am the School Counseling Coordinator at Cold Hollow Career one of the CTE centers that serves students in Franklin County. This is my 26th year as a Vermont School Counselor. I started my career as the K-8 School Counselor at Sheldon School where I happily worked for 16 years until I found my way to Career and Tech Ed. I love every aspect of being a school counselor, especially getting to know students and learning all about their unique journeys. I enjoy supporting students in making it through all of the various situations that school has to offer.

I have two amazing sons that keep me on my toes. My husband and I are now empty nesters and enjoy exploring back roads and breweries. I am an outdoor enthusiast, loyal friend, and an avid reader. You can usually find me either hiking or skiing at my local mountain, Jay Peak.

CANDIDATES FOR ONE-YEAR TERM

One Seat Available