Shelburne Community School

Alison Celmer, SCS PreK-4 Co-Principal

Alison Celmer is heading into her eighth year as the proud PreK-4 Principal at Shelburne Community School. Alison has always enjoyed working and connecting with kids. Nannying (while designing) is what inspired her to go back to school through Johnson State College (remotely) to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. In 2011, she began her next journey as a Kindergarten Teacher, when she was honored with UVM’s Teacher of the Year. After four years of teaching Kindergarten, she became a sixth-grade literacy teacher and a K-8 Literacy Coach. She continued this work while she completed her Masters in Educational Leadership and Curriculum & Assessment Development through Southern New Hampshire University. In 2017, she accepted her first administrative position at Champlain Valley School District. She is grateful for this opportunity and her collaborative SCS Leadership team colleagues and CVSD LEaD Team. Her knowledge and excitement for bridging the design process and data analysis with curriculum development and instructional delivery models to create inclusive practices for all is what really energizes her as a leader, mentor, and colleague. Alison is certified in teaching and implementing Universal Design for Learning, which provides robust first instruction accessible for ALL students, with targeted lessons to ensure every child is getting what they need to grow and become lifelong learners. When she is not reading (or listening to) books about leadership, instructional practices, inclusive practices, design, and organization, she also enjoys listening to music, dancing, hiking, walking, cruising on her e-bike, shopping, or dining around town.

  Brett Cluff, SCS 5-8 Co-Principal 5-8

Brett is thrilled to be starting his third year as the 5-8 Co-Principal at SCS. A Shelburne resident and graduate of CVSD schools, Brett came to SCS after a year teaching 6th-grade math and science at A.D. Lawton Intermediate School in Essex Junction. Prior to that, he spent 15 years working in the New York City Department of Education, most recently as an Assistant Principal at M.S. 74 in Queens. Brett’s journey in public education began as a member of Teach for America, teaching 5th grade in the Bronx. His other roles included instructional coaching at the district level and co-leading a teaching residency program. Brett graduated from Middlebury College with master’s degrees from Pace University and Teachers College, Columbia University. When not at SCS, Brett can usually be found walking around town with some combination of his wife and three kids, helping to fix up their old farmhouse, or pulling weeds in the garden.

Emily Cogan, SCS Special Ed Director

Emily eagerly enters her third year as the Director of Special Services for the Shelburne Community School. Emily has over 15 years of experience as a Special Educator in Franklin County, Vermont, and served briefly as a Special Education Coordinator for the Burlington School District. Emily obtained her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in 2022, completing the St. Michael’s College School Leadership program. Emily also attended St. Mike’s as a graduate and undergraduate student and earned her MEd in Special Education in 2010. Emily’s core values are authenticity, belonging, and connection. Her passion is supporting inclusive educational practices.

Emily loves music, travel, and is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. She volunteered for a school year in Peru, has taken students on trips to China and NYC, climbed Denali, and completed a solo hike of the Long Trail. She lives in Jeffersonville and enjoys new adventures with her 7 year old son.