Biographies of Key Staff and Contractors
Michiko Oishi - Executive Director of Vermont Peace Academy;
previously served as Educational Coordinator for Institute for Sustainable
Communities, Community Connections and the University of Vermont's Asian
Studies Outreach Program; Program Manager with Japan International Volunteer
Center and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee Assistance in
Japan; Thailand and Laos; B.A. International Christian University in Tokyo;
MEd. candidate at University of Vermont.
Karin McNeill – Co-Director for VPA, heading financial
management and development, and collaborating on strategic planning and administration;
Executive Director for Association of Vermont Recyclers (AVR) where she originated
the Youth Environmental Coalition and expanded the Healthy Schools programs,
6 years; AVR Program Manager, 1 year; world travels, 3 years; VP of Global
Risk Management, Bankers Trust; 13 years of management and systems development
experience in banking and brokerage firms in New York City; B.A. Hamilton
College.
Contractors
Robert J. Camisa M.Ed. - VPA Education Contractor and NW
Regional Coordinator; leads VPA's "Students Make It Happen" conferences;
42 years of teaching, administrative and consultative experience at the middle
and high school levels; curriculum coordination, drug education and student
voice programs at the local, district, and state level; Coordinator for the
Vermont Department of Education's Adelphi Drug Education Program; BA English,
St. Michaels College; MEd Administration, Johnson State College.
Richard Dror - Former VPA board member and founder; VPA
advisor; co-leader of the “Speaking Peace” program offered by VPA; Founder
of Taoist Center, Marlboro; formerly Senior Group Leader and Trainer at Quaesitor,
London; Co-directed the Devon Center for Alternative Therapy and Education;
psychotherapist, 30 years; spiritual mentor and Taoist Educator.
Dr. Kenneth N. Fishell - Academic Advisor for VPA, 3 years;
Teacher, School Principal; Professor and Administrator at University of Rochester,
Syracuse University and University of Vermont; Consultant with Elementary,
Secondary and Higher Education institutions and businesses; B.S. SUNY@Brockport,
M.A.and Phd.,University of Rochester.
Patricia Gelo - VPA's NE Regional Coordinator and Education
Contractor now working at schools in the Orleans Essex North Supervisory
Union as part of the Building Safe Schools Program; 12 years of experience
working with youth, parents and schools staff in various capacities - Student
Assistance Professional at North Country Union Junior High School, Youth
Services Caseworker for Runaway Youth, Parent Coordinator for families in
the court system, coordinate social and emotional groups for youth at the
Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School; B.A., Johnson State College; Certified
Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
Dr. Kenneth Hood – Academic Advisor, lead Education Contractor
and Teacher Trainer for VPA, 4 years; Vermont Folklife Center Board Member;
Educator/advisor for programs abroad in China and Thailand; formerly: Director
of Evaluation for the Foundation for Excellent Schools, Windsor Southeast
Superintendent, and Dean and Program Director for several universities.
Nancy Keller, M.Ed. - Teacher Trainer for VPA now working
at Craftsbury Academy, Science and math teacher at Winooski Middle School,
20+ years, founder of the schools alternative program, 6 years; Formerly
educator for Teacher Enhancement Programs at the University of Vermont and
St. Michael's College; National Board Certified Teacher.
Sharon Koller - Volunteer liaison for Bridport and Shoreham
Schools' work with the VPA, 2 years; Parent volunteer at Bridport School,
10+ years; School Board member, 9 years; Student Assistance Program Counselor
at Mount Abraham Union High School ; M.S. in Counseling; Clinical Mental
Health Counselor license; Apprentice Substance Abuse Counselor certification.
Wendy Webber - Former VPA board member and founder; Education
Contractor and SE Regional Coordinator for VPA, 3 years; currently working
with Oak Grove Elementary and Malboro School; co-leader of the “Speaking
Peace” program offered by VPA; Nonviolent Communication trainer; founder
and director of a UK Center for transformation of consciousness, 16
years; currently lives and works at the Taoist Center, Marlboro VT; 17 years
of clinical practice as body-centered psychotherapist (Karuna Institute,
UK, Buddhist psychology); Focusing Teacher and Trauma Resource trainer.
