Meet the Staff

	In this section: Jean Garvin School Home Therapeutic components Academic Instruction Meet the Staff Admission Information Contact Us Lisa Bilowith, BSW, M.Ed. Director Lisa has been at HowardCenter since 1989 and at the Jean Garvin School since 1998. Before coming to Garvin, she was a case worker for the Department of Children and Families, a children's crisis clinician, and a school social worker. She has a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Trinity College and a Masters in Education in Emotional and Behavioral Disorders from St. Michael's College. In addition to directing the Jean Garvin School, Lisa is involved in her community. Her hobbies include snorkeling, knitting, spending time with her two sons, gardening, and playing with her dog, Elvin Jones.
	Kelly Roche Perline, AFIP, M.Ed., CAGS Assistant Director, Special Educator Kelly has been at the Garvin school since October 2000. She has a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and a Masters in Education in Intensive Special Education: Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. She is also an Animal Facilitated Interaction Profressional. Before coming to the Jean Garvin School, she was an educational consultant at the University of Vermont's Center for Community and Inclusion, as well as a lecturer within the Special Education and Secondary Education departments at UVM for nine years. Currently, she is an adjunct faculty member for the Counseling Program within Johnson State College. Her specialty is social and emotional learning and animal assisted experiential learning. Her interests include being with family, horse back riding, playing with her dogs, Tai Chi, hiking, kayaking, and hanging out on the farm.
	Stephanie Rosenstein, LICSW, MA, MSW School Social Worker Stephanie has been at the Jean Garvin School since October 2007. She attended Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania and received her Bachelors degree in Social Work. Stephanie also holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Vermont and a Masters in Counseling from Johnson State College. Before coming to the Jean Garvin School, Stephanie worked as a Clinician at the Lund Family Center, doing prevention work and therapy with pregnant and parenting young women. She also has experience providing professional development training for staff within the mental health field. In addition to her job at Jean Garvin, Stephanie is working as an Adoption Social Worker at Wide Horizons for Children. Stephanie enjoys hiking, biking, reading, gardening, and skiing.
	Makeey Shedyak, M.Ed., MS, CAS Math Teacher Makeey has been at the Jean Garvin School since 2002. She attended Potsdam State University where she earned her uundergraduate degree in Mathematics and Education. She received her Masters Degree and Certificate of Advanced Study in School Administration and Supervision from Plattsburgh State Univeristy. Makeey is also an aerobics instructor with certifications in kickboxing, floor aerobics, step and personal fitness training. In addition to her work at the Garvin School, she has been an employee of the Sports and Fitness Edge of Vermont since 1998. Prior to her work at Garvin, she taught math at an alternative school in Syracuse, New York, and within the Colchester School District.She enjoys spending time with family, cooking, exercising, playing softball, and watching baseball. Makeey will be on family leave during the 2010-2011 school year.
	Katrina Breen, BA English Teacher Katrina has been the English Teacher at the Jean Garvin School since 2003. She graduated from St. Michael's College with a major in English and Secondary Education. Prior to joining the Garvin School, she taught at Mt. Mansfield Union High School for two years within the Special Education Department, teaching English within a small alternative classroom. For many years, she was also the head counselor at a summer camp for children and adults with additional needs, such as Down's syndrome, autism, and developmental and physical disabilities. She hopes one day to pursue her passion for working with this population in a career capacity, although she envisions herself at Garvin for at least a few more years! In her spare time, Katrina is an avid reader. She enjoys scenic walks and bike rides, as well as spending time at the dog park with her goofy dog, Norman. When spring rolls around, you can also find her playing softball on a local league she has been with for quite a few years!
	Ross Perry, BS Science Teacher Ross has been the Science Teacher at the Jean Garvin School since August 2006. He graduated from Castleton State College in 1992 with a degree in Natural Sciences: Geology. Following college, Ross worked for 11 years throughout New England as a Hydrogeologist, earning his Professional Geologist license. Prior to arriving at Garvin, Ross taught at Green Mountain College and at Essex High School. Outside of school, Ross is a board member with CRAG-VT, a local climbing access group, and he also is a licensed Wilderness First Responder. Ross's hobbies include rock and ice climbing, kayaking, hiking, live music, and watching his favorite Boston sports teams.
	Jill Barnum, BA Senior Interventionist Jill started at the Jean Garvin School in 2005. She received her Associates Degree from Champlain College and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, from Johnson State College. Before coming to the Jean Garvin School, she was a substitute teacher for all subjects at MVU high school and completed an internship at Project Soar alternative school. She enjoys reading fiction novels, walking and hiking with her dog (Bob), traveling, biking, and 4-wheeling. She is learning to snow-board and loves to spend lots and lots of time with family and friends!
	Kevin Perline, MA, MNLP, MMA Educational Counselor Kevin has been at the Garvin School since October of 2000. He has his Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling. He is a Master level Neuro-Linguistic Practicioner and a Master Martial Artist. Before coming to Garvin, he worked as the Director of the Teen Institute at Green Mountain Prevention Projects, as well as a personal safety educator and instructor for schools, families, and businesses. He is currently an adjunct faculty member at Johnson State College within the Counseling Program. His interests include being with family, Martial Arts, Qi Gong, horseback riding, playing with his dogs, hiking, and kayaking.
	Mikaela Dostie, Administrative Assistant Mikaela has been at the Garvin school since August 2007. She is our "Queen of all things" keeping everything running smoothly for all of us. Before coming to Garvin, she worked at Lang, McLaughry, Spera Real Estate, supporting several realtors. She enjoys spending time with her daughter and family. She likes working within a school because she loves children, learning, reading and roller coasters!
	Cathy Rahill, MSW, ASAC Outpatient Clinician Cathy attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned her Bachelors degree in Journalism. She later atteded the Univeristy of Vermont, earning her Masters Degree in Social Work. Before coming to the Jean Garvin School in 2007, she was a school social worker and also a television and print journalist.. She specializes in Strengths-based therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Self-Esteem Enhancement, Narrative Therapy, and Couples and Family Counseling. In her free time, she enjoys running, kayaking, swimming, and reading.
	Deborah Ormsbee, M.Ed History Teacher Deborah has been with the Jean Garvin School since 2003. She earned her undergraduate degree from Champlain College and New York University in Criminal Justice and History. She earned her Masters Degree in History and Education from Trinity College, Georgetown University, and the University of Vermont. In 2001, she was awarded the James Madison Foundation Fellowship. Prior to teaching at the Jean Garvin School, she taught at Harwood Union Middle and High School, where she started the Harwood Union Peace and Justice Program and served as the Department Chair and Union President. She also was the Director of Education for the Vermont Bar Association Center for Public Education, where she developed and taught law related education programs for grades k-12. She has taught in Russia and Ireland. Her current interests include animal tracking, animal rescue, and working with the draft horses and in the calf barn on the Russell Dairy Farm in Starksboro.
No Photo Available	Pam Prim, BSW, MPA Educational Counselor Pam has been with the Jean Garvin School since 1997. She earned her undergraduate degree in Social Work from Trinity College and completed her Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Vermont. Prior to working at the Jean Garvin School Pam, was a Planning Room Supervisior and member of the Health Guidance Team at Johnson Elementary School, a Behavior Interventionist at South Burlington High School, an Intensive Family Based Services Clinician, a Direct Service Substance Abuse Family Intervention Specialist, an Educator for Environmental Learning for the Future (ELF), an adolescent foster and respite care provider, and a Little League softball team coach. In her free time, she enjoys exploring, traveling, photography, nature, and swimming.