Via Community News Service, a VTSU-Castleton internship, for Rutland Herald
POULTNEY — Green Mountain Community School, a K-5 independent school located on the former Green Mountain College campus, has named a new director.
Brylea Davenport, GMCS parent and athletics teacher, will step into the role at the end of this academic year, according to school founder Danhee Bhakta.
The school is hosting an open house on April 9 at 5 p.m. in the Dutton building, where prospective families will have the opportunity to meet Davenport.
Bhakta said Davenport brings both professional experience and a strong personal connection to the school community.
“I’ve had the privilege of experiencing GMCS both as a parent and as an educator,” Davenport said.
Davenport said she hopes to expand opportunities to more families, but she also wants to keep the close-knit community environment the school currently provides.
“I don’t want to grow this to be a huge school,” she said. “I want it to be a possibility for more people, but at the end of the day, I just want it to be the right fit for people who are looking for a more personalized, connected, intentional education for their kids.”
Bhakta described GMCS as “a nonprofit, independent school dedicated to experiential education, project-based learning, and fostering strong connections between students, families and the natural world.”
Davenport said the open house event will be student-led, allowing kids the opportunity to discuss their current projects with prospective students.
“The students will be set up throughout different buildings and in their classrooms, and they’ll be able to talk to the other kids about what they’re working on,” she said.
Davenport said last year’s open house event had a great turnout, and this year should be no different, providing a great opportunity for new parents to meet existing parents.
“Most of the existing families who go to the school will be there, and so I think it’s a great perspective to talk to the parents of the kids who already go there,” she said. “You’re going to get a really unfiltered perspective of what the school is like, what their kids like about it, what they maybe don’t like about it.”
Bhakta added that anyone interested in learning more about the school is encouraged to attend.
“We would love to see you there!” she exclaimed.
Davenport said GMCS has “created such a thoughtful and inspiring learning environment,” and that she is excited to step into the role of director.
“I’m honored to step into this role and continue supporting the students, teachers, and families who make up this special community,” she said.