Vermont Agency of Education announces trainings for grants, art exhibition integration, threat assessment

The Vermont Agency of Education has announced several upcoming opportunities and resources for educators and school administrators across the state.

On November 19, the agency will hold a training session focused on the State Afterschool Grant application process. The event aims to help superintendents, principals, and afterschool directors understand the grant requirements and review exemplary responses from previous competitions. Attendees will have a chance to ask questions during the session. For those unable to attend, a recording will be made available upon request. Additional information about these grants can be found on the Afterschool and Summer Programs website, where guides and related documents are accessible. Interested parties can also sign up for updates through a non-binding contact form.

In December, three in-person professional learning sessions will be offered for educators interested in integrating the Vermont 250th Art Exhibition into their curriculum. These free sessions are open to K-12 visual arts educators, CTE arts educators, afterschool directors, administrators, social studies educators, arts education organizations, and adult educators. Each session runs from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and provides participants with a six-hour professional learning certificate that can be used toward re-licensure. The sessions will take place at Milton Artists' Guild in Milton on December 11 (30 slots), Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury on December 17 (35 slots), and River Gallery School in Brattleboro on December 18 (30 slots). Registration is required.

The agency also continues to offer Behavioral Threat Assessment (BTA) office hours throughout the 2025-2026 school year for current BTA team members. These virtual office hours occur every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 1:00 PM using an online meeting link provided by the agency. Upcoming office hour dates include November 11 and 13 as well as November 18 and 20; each of these sessions will feature tabletop exercises.

Additionally, in partnership with the Vermont School Safety Center, the Agency of Education is hosting Behavioral Threat Assessment Team workshops on December 9 and 10. These workshops are designed for both current and prospective BTA team members seeking support in developing effective threat assessment programs within schools. Sessions include an overview of the BTA process along with practical case exercises conducted in person. Registration is required via an online form specific to these events.

According to agency contacts listed in each section of its announcement, further details about all programs can be obtained by reaching out directly via email.