Mary Beth Bowman: Family Resource Coordinator, x229
I hail from a farm in Eyota, Minnesota (near Rochester) where I essentially grew up knowing only relatives. Because of an irresistible urge of “I have to get out of this place”, I traveled and lived in many awful apartments. I received my degree in music at the University of Minnesota after many fits and starts. It only took me 14 years to finish a Master in Music at Boston University. In 1990, my husband and I and our two little kids left Boston for the Burlington area. I taught music for 25 years in all types of schools, owned a hat business, and was a family consultant for VPIC. Now I’m a Family Resource Coordinator for FITP.
    It was in Burlington that our son was diagnosed with early bi-polar disorder at the age of 4. Our family was clearly on a long ride. Next slide, we now have 2 children in their 20’s, both having their normal age-appropriate angst and questions and we still worry. Next slide. We are the foster parents to a sweet 16-year-old young man who plays football. Previously, we only attended music concerts and theater productions. “Bravo” just doesn’t work on the sidelines of the playing field!
    Next slide, could it be back to Eyota?

Michelle Perry: Developmental Educator, x232
Hi! My name is Michelle Perry.  I am a Developmental Educator working for the Family, Infant and Toddler program. I am the teacher person on the Colchester/Milton Collaborative team.  I work with children and families at their home or in their childcare program.  I have a Master’s Degree in Essential Early Education from the University of Vermont. For 30 years, I have been working in Vermont with children, birth to 5, with developmental delays and their families.  I live in Colchester with my husband. We have 5 grown children and 11 grandchildren.

Kelly Morrison: Developmental Educator, x221
    I was born in New York, the oldest of four girls, but spent most of my childhood growing up in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. I began my incredible journey of learning about children and families as a student at the University of Vermont. Throughout my studies, I worked as a childcare assistant in the infant and toddler rooms at the Campus Children’s Center. It was there that I recognized my passion for working with children and families.
    During the spring of 2002, I was honored to participate in an international study group of the Infant-Toddler Centers and Preschools of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Later that year, I volunteered in an early childhood school in the Volta Region of Ghana, West Africa as part of an international program called Cross Cultural Solutions. 
    In May of 2003, I received my Bachelor’s Degree in the field of Early Childhood Education and Development. After receiving my degree, I worked as a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) to an astounding young infant/toddler and his family and as a preschool teacher to 3, 4 & 5 year old children at the Burlington Children’s Space. In the summer of 2007 I completed the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative Program, an Early Childhood Special Educator licensure program. I received my second endorsement on my educator’s license in the field of Early Childhood Special Education in September of 2007. Currently, I am working towards completing my Masters Degree in Early Childhood Special Education at the University of Vermont.
    I am an avid horseback rider, caring for and riding a horse at a local horse farm several times a week. My other hobbies include reading, swimming, knitting and crocheting, long walks / hikes, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, cooking, and the company of great friends.
    I love all of the learning that comes from working with children and their families, as they are the true teachers. I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Family, Infant and Toddler Program and I want to thank you for allowing me to share in your life and that of your child’s.

Bonnie Norton: Developmental Educator, x204
    I am a fourth generation Vermonter, who grew up in Burlington.  My family consisted of my parents, my identical twin sister, a brother and a baby sister.  Since the birth of my little sister when I was nine years old, I have known that I wanted to work with and teach young children.
    In 1988, I obtained an associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Champlain College.  I then went to Trinity College of Vermont to work on a degree in elementary special education.  Circumstances made this dream undoable at that time and I left school to teach infants at the St. Michael’s College Child Care Center.  It was here that I spent the next 17 years, caring for and teaching infants and toddlers.
During these years, I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Human Development from St. Mike’s, I met and married Joel Norton, a special educator at Essex High School, and in May of 2000 gave birth to our son, Nicholas.
    In 2003, I worked a second job as a PCA for a little boy with medical complications.  It was through this work that I decided I wanted to fulfill my original dream of working with children with special needs.  The very next semester I enrolled in the Master’s Degree program at Saint Michael’s College for special education.  I have been working diligently on this degree, and have nearly successfully completed this.
    I am very excited about this new opportunity to work for FITP and the many families that we serve.

Michael Miller: Developmental Educator, x233
After completing a Masters Degree in Special Education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia and retirement from the U.S. Navy I moved to Libby, Montana.  I worked in the school system until January 2000 when I began work as a Family Support Specialist with the Child Development Center.  For seven and a half years I worked with children and young adults with developmental disabilities.  In August 2007 my wife, Ann, and I moved to Vermont from Kalispell, Montana, a fast growing community in the northwest corner of the state near Glacier National Park.  Ann and I enjoy cooking, camping, gardening, and each other’s company.  I look forward to serving the members of our diverse community and working with the many professionals on our collaborative teams.

Shelly Waterman: Developmental Educator, x238
   I am a life long Vermonter who grew up in Burlington. I graduated from College in 1994 and took my first job as an educator of young children that fall. I spent 10 years teaching preschool age children until I gave birth to my first of two beautiful daughters, Hannah, in February 2004. My husband and I embraced parenthood much like most first time parents, with hope, love, dedication, and lack of sleep. My new full time job was to stay at home with Hannah and be every bit the mother I had always dreamed! To be there when she reached all her developmental milestones and celebrates these accomplishments with her. It wasn’t until she was 18 months old when our patient optimism turned into fear. Over night my girl changed. Something unknown to us was taking hold of her and we couldn’t break its grip. She stopped making eye contact with us and was not speaking anymore. After numerous doctors visits, blood draws and hospital stays, Hannah was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome May 5, 2004. Rett Syndrome is a genetic neurological disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls. The disorder becomes apparent after 6-18 months of early typical development. It results in a regression that leads to lifelong disabilities including loss of speech, purposeful hand use, and mobility. It is most often misdiagnosed as autism or cerebral palsy.
   The grief was unbearable, and the loss we felt was devastating. Our pediatricians quickly connected us to FITP. If it was not for their love, caring and support they showed my family, I believe Hannah’s outcome might have been very different. The team showed us how to navigate through a system that, at the time, was confusing and scary. The team also connected us with providers in the community who could help support Hannah and her needs. Today, Hannah is a very happy girl. She has family, including a little sister, friends who adore her, and a community of educators and caregivers who support us all on this journey we are on together!

Nikki Morse: Developmental Educator, x252
Originally from Keene, New Hampshire I moved to Vermont in 2001 to attend The University of Vermont. While there I studied Early Childhood Education and Psychology. Upon graduating with my bachelors in 2005, I became a teacher in a local early childhood program working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Working collaboratively with FITP and EEE in my classroom encouraged me to learn more about the services available for young children with special needs. In 2008 I enrolled in the University of Vermont’s Early Childhood Special Education Master’s program. I hope to graduate with my masters by next December. I have enjoyed learning about the special education field and am excited to be joining the team at FITP.
   I recently moved to Winooski, where we are currently working on renovating a house. I enjoy reading, spending time with friends, and taking trips to Myrtle Beach to visit my family.

Tara Iserman: Developmental Educator Assistant, x240
   I was born in a very small town in Northern New Hampshire, where I lived until attending Champlain College in 2003. I graduated in 2007 with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. I have spent most of my life working with young children and really enjoy their energy. It was during my college years that I began working for a local agency that not only focused on children but also their families. It was there that I really gained a lot of knowledge and compassion for the support services available for children and their families. After working in the agency for over 3 years, my work began having less and less to do with actually working with children, and that is what prompted my move into another avenue of the field. Finding an agency like Parent to Parent, that is so dedicated to the collaboration and support of children and families seems like the perfect fit for me. I look forward to working with this agency and the families it serves.
   I currently live with my boyfriend in Essex where we recently purchased a house, which we spend a lot of time renovating. I also enjoy reading, entertaining, going to the gym, spending time with friends and family and any activity involving the outdoors (hiking, biking, kayaking, snowboarding, and walking my dog Togo).